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MLA Citation Guide (MLA 9th Edition): Images, Infographics, Maps, Charts, & Tables

Reproducing vs. Just Citing Images

Citing information from an image, infographic, chart, table, or graph (not reproducing it)

If you are only citing information from an image, infographic, chart, table, or graph:

  1. Provide an in-text citation. Use the citation format of the source where the image is found (e.g., if you found the image on a website, use the in-text citation format for a website). 
  2. Cite the image in your Works Cited List. Use the citation format of the source where the image is found (e.g., if you found the image on a website, cite the website). 

 

Reproducing Images, Infographics, Charts, Tables & Graphs​

Reproducing happens when you copy or recreate an image, infographic, table, graph, or chart that is not your original creation. If you reproduce one of these works in your assignment, you must create a note (or "caption") underneath the photo, image, chart, graph, or table to show where you found it. If you do not refer to it anywhere else in your assignment, you do not have to include the citation for this source in a Works Cited list. 

Examples

Inserting an Image Reproduced from a Library Database

If you are recreating visual material from a library database:

  • Under the image, add a figure number (e.g., Fig. 1.) and short description (optional). 
  • Add the full citation after the description. Follow the citation template for your source. For example, if you're citing an image from a newspaper article from a library database, use the template for citing a newspaper article from a library database. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • If the image is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

 

Example
Yellow printed skirt by designer Annakiki. Faces on skirt.
Fig. 2. Pauline Cheung. "Short Skirt S/S/ 15 China Womenswear Commercial Update." WGSN, 4 June 2016, p. 2. 

Inserting an Image Reproduced from a Digital Archive

If you are recreating visual material from a digital archive or collection:

  • Under the image, add a figure number (e.g., Fig. 1.) and short description (optional). 
  • Add the full citation after the description. Follow the citation template for your source. For example, if you're citing a photo from a digital archive website, use the template for citing a website. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • Follow the citation, if applicable, with any Creative Commons (e.g., CC BY) or copyright notes (e.g., reproduced with permission from author).
  • If the image is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

 

Example
Sod Turning at Finch Campus Site and Construction Progress Sign
Fig. 3. Department of Media Production. "Sod Turning at Finch Campus Site and Construction Progress Sign." Images from the Archives: Celebrating 50 Years of Seneca, Seneca Polytechnic, 4 June 1968, digitalrepository.senecapolytechnic.ca/s/imagesfromthearchives/item/18806. Copyright 2016, Seneca Polytechnic.

Inserting an Image Reproduced from a Book

If you are recreating visual material from a book:

  • Under the image, add a figure number (e.g., Fig. 1.) and short description (optional). 
  • Add the full citation after the description. Follow the citation template for your source. For example, if you're citing an image found in a print book, use the template for citing print books. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • If the image is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

 

Example
Black and white male figure exercising
Fig. 1. Annie Green. "Yoga: Stretching Out." Sports Digest, 8 May 2006, p. 22. 

Inserting Stock Photos and Images Found Online (e.g., Websites, Social Media)

If you are including stock photos (e.g., from Flickr, Pixabay, Unsplash) or images from websites and social media:

  • Under the image, add a figure number (e.g., Fig. 1.) and short description. 
  • Add the full citation after the description. Follow the citation template for websites or social media. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • Follow the citation, if applicable, with any Creative Commons (e.g., CC BY) or copyright notes (e.g., reproduced with permission from author).
  • If the image is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

 

Note: It's important to be aware of copyright when using images from a website. Even if you include a citation, certain images still require the permission of the author before you can copy and include it in your work. Always check the terms of use of the image/website to ensure that you can include the image in your work and/or if you need to first get the copyright holder's permission. If it's not essential to include the image in your assignment, consider linking to the image source or using free images instead. For sources of free images you can use in your coursework, please see the Sandbox Finding Free Images, Audio, and Video guide.

 

Example
Toronto: Union Station
Fig. 3. City of Toronto. "Toronto: Union Station."  Flickr, 1 June 2010, flic.kr/p/fZDBFK. CC-BY.

Inserting a Table You Reproduced

If you copy or recreate a table that you found in your source:

  • Start by adding a label for your table (e.g., Table 1, bolded and aligned to the left) followed by a description of what information is contained in the table. 
  • Below the table, add the word Adapted from: followed by the full citation for the source where you found the information. For example, if you found the information on a website, use the Works Cited list citation format for citing a website. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • If the table is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

 

Example

Table 1

Variables in determining victims and aggressors

Variables  Non-aggressive victims Aggressive victims Non-victimized aggressors
Mother’s affection t = -2.69 
(df = 80, p = .01)		 t = -2.16
(df = 33, p = .04)		 t = -1.94
(df = 71, p = .06)
Father’s affection t = -.97
(df = 73, p = .34)		 t = -1.58
(df = 31, p = .13)		 t = -3.16
(df = 69, p = .00)
Family conflict t = 2.03
(df = 73, p = .05)		 t = 2.12
(df = 31, p = .04)		 t = 3.38
(df = 67, p = .00)
Family violence t = 2.52
(df = 81, p = .01)		 t = 2.97
(df = 33, p = .01)		 t = 2.10
(df = 72, p = .04)

Adapted from: Andrea Mohr. "Family Variables Associated With Peer Victimization." Swiss Journal of Psychology, vol. 65, no. 2, 2006, pp. 111. Gale Psychology Collection, https://doi.org/10.1024/1421-0185.65.2.107. PDF download. 

Inserting a Table You Adapted from Multiple Sources

Note: This is a Seneca Libraries recommendation. When creating a table with data from different sources, be mindful of how the data is related to each other, such as if they are measuring the same thing or comparing similar variables. If the data you want to present are not related, consider displaying them in separate tables.

 

If you are creating a table using information from multiple sources:

  • Start by adding a label for your table (e.g., Table 1, bolded) followed by a description of what information is contained in the table. 
  • Below the table, add the word Adapted from: followed by the full citation for the sources where you found the information. For example, if you found the information on a website, use the Works Cited list citation format for citing a website. For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • List your sources in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Separate each source with a semi-colon (;).
  • If the table is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

 

Example

Table 1

Total downloads (in millions) of communication apps Discord, Telegram and WeChat through Apple App store and Google Play store in September 2020

App Apple App store Google Play store
Discord 4.09 12.53
Telegram 3.09 17.22
WeChat 7.37 27.49

Adapted from: Airnow. "Leading communication apps in the Google Play Store worldwide in September 2020, by number of downloads." Statista, Oct. 2020.; Airnow. "Leading social networking apps in the Apple App Store worldwide in September 2020, by number of downloads." Statista, Oct. 2020. 

Inserting Screenshots & Frame Captures

If you are including screenshots or frame captures (e.g., still from an online film):

  • Under the image, add a figure number (e.g., Fig. 1.) and short description (optional). 
  • Add the full citation after the description. Follow with the citation template for the type of source you're using (e.g., for a screenshot of a webpage, use the template for citing a webpage). For sources with individual authors, do not invert the first and last names at the beginning of the citation.
  • Follow the citation, if applicable, with any Creative Commons (e.g., CC BY) or copyright notes (e.g., reproduced with permission from author).
  • If the image is not cited in the text of your assignment, you do not need to include it in your Works Cited list.  

 

Note: It's important to be aware of copyright when including screenshots or frame captures. Even if you include a citation, certain images still require the copyright holder's permission before you can copy and include it in your work. Always check the terms of use of the source to ensure that you can include the screenshot or frame capture in your work and/or if you need to first get the copyright holder's permission. If it's not essential to include the image in your assignment, consider including a link to the image source instead.  

 

Examples
Library Research Support Guide
Fig. 1. Screenshot of library research support guide. Seneca Libraries, "Research Support at Seneca Libraries: A Guide." Seneca Libraries, 2024, library.senecapolytechnic.ca/researchsupport.
La Sortie de l'usine Lumière à Lyon still
Fig. 2. Still from the Lumière brothers' first film "La Sortie de l'usine Lumière à Lyon (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory)." Auguste Lumière and Louis Lumière, "La Sortie des ouvriers de l'usine Lumière." Wikimedia, 1895, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers_Leaving_the_Lumi%C3%A8re_Factory, in the public domain.

Inserting Your Original Photographs & Images

Published Images

If your photograph or image is publicly accessible online, such as on a website, social media, or blog, follow the format for Stock Photos and Images from Websites.

 

Unpublished Images

If your photograph or image is not publicly accessible:

  • Add a caption below your photograph with a figure number and image description.
  • There is no need to credit yourself as the author of the photograph. Seneca Libraries recommendation: If you'd like to make it clear that you created the image, you can add a note after the image description (e.g., photography by author).

Example

Paper Cranes at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park 

Fig. 1. Paper Cranes at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, photograph by author

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