Visual Materials: APA Format

When incorporating visual material using APA format, you should follow the guidelines below. When using visual material ensure that your audience can clearly see it. Avoid blurry, confusing or inappropriate visuals. When incorporating visual material you should follow the guidelines below for APA format. Never add visual materials just for the sake of adding visuals. As the presenter you are charged with the task of incorporating visuals that enhance your audience’s understanding of your topic. Ask yourself why you are incorporating a table, photograph, or map into the presentation; if it does not enhance your presentation, avoid adding the visual material. If the visual does assist your audience’s understanding, follow the guidelines below.

According to the APA visual materials are designated as “tables” or “figures.”

Tables

When incorporating a “Table” in the presentation or paper:

1) Label the table as Table ; capitalize ONLY the “T” in Table .

2) Assign an Arabic number to the table (i.e., Table 1).

3) On a new line directly below the label, create a caption for the table.

a. The caption should be italicized.

b. Only the first word of the caption should be capitalized.

c. Place a period at the end of the caption.

d. Type both the label and caption directly above the Table.

e. Type the label and caption flush left (DO NOT center).

4) Immediately below the table give the source information. Include the same information as required in the Reference entry for the source of the table (book, website, magazine, etc.) ; see Chapter 5 for format of the Reference entry.

5) All information is double-spaced.

Figures

When incorporating a “Figure” (a photograph, map, line drawing, graph, musical score, etc.) in the presentation or paper:

1) Label the figure as Figure ; capitalize ONLY the “F” in Figure .

2) Assign an Arabic number to the figure.

a. The word “Figure” and the Arabic number should be italicized.

b. Type the label directly below the figure, followed by a period.

c. Type the label flush left .

3) Immediately following the period write a caption for the figure (Do NOT start a new line).

a. Only the first word of the caption should be capitalized.

b. Place a period at the end of the caption.

c. The caption should be in regular font (Do NOT italicize the caption).

4) Immediately below the caption give the source information. Include the same information as required in the Reference entry for the source of the table (book, website, magazine, etc.) ; see Chapter 5 for format of the Reference entry.

5) All information is double-spaced.

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