| Using Visual Aids:
Tables
Tables are particularly useful for displaying
precise numerical data and presenting this summarized information
in rows and columns. The title of a table is usually written
at the top as a sentence fragment with the first word capitalized.
If there is more than one table in a written assignment, the
table number appears directly in front of the table’s
title. Typically, a table is divided into rows and columns.
A row is a list of items presented straight across a table.
Each row must have a row heading placed near the left edge
of the table to label the items that are listed horizontally.
Row headings vary greatly – at times they will display
numbers as in Table 1. However, at other times row headings
will display the names of people, places, or things that are
being measured. Table 3 gives an example of this type of row
heading.
Columns are lists of items presented vertically. Column headings
are listed on top of the table to label these vertical lists
of items. Column headings will usually be labels for people,
places or things as shown in Examples 1 and 3. Keep in mind
that the lists of words in rows and columns are usually left
justified but may be centered if this arrangement works better
with the table’s format.
Footnotes below the table allow for clarification of information
included in the table and are not intrusive. Use an asterisk
or number to indicate where the footnote begins and list information
in order at the bottom of the table. Footnotes can also be
used to explain unfamiliar abbreviations to the reader.
If source information was used but the table is your own creation,
citations are usually listed underneath the table in APA or
MLA style. However, if you want to use an entire table from
another source, first seek permission from the author to use
the table in your document. If permission is granted and you
choose to use the table, be sure to give the name of the original
source beneath the table in proper APA or MLA style. This bibliographical
information will also be included on your references or works
cited page.
The following table shows the average number of appliances
present in American homes at the onset of each decade. Pay
close attention to where the title, table number, column headings,
row headings, footnote and citation information are.
If units of measurement within your table are unclear, be
sure to indicate what unit is being used to express data. If
all of the data are being expressed in the same unit, write
it under the table title. The following example demonstrates
this concept.
Example 2
As far as placement goes, remember that brief tables may be integrated
into the written text of your document, but anything that is lengthy
enough to disrupt the flow of the paper should be included at the
end of the report as an appendix. Consult your MLA or APA book for
further information.
Keep in mind that although tables are good for showing exact
quantities, other figures such as graphs and charts may be used
for an easier interpretation of the same information if providing
specific numbers is not as important. If you want to emphasize
or reinforce data, begin with a table and then use a graph to
accentuate differences represented in the data
This handout has presented information on tables – Now
it’s time to put your knowledge to the test and get to
work on creating a table of your own! Consult the resources list
provided below for additional information or examples.
Resources
Houp, K.W., Pearsall, T.E., & Tebeaux, E. (1998). Reporting
Technical Information. (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Sherman, T.A., & Johnson, S.S. (1988). Modern technical
writing (5th ed.). Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.
Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center and the
University of Houston-Victoria.
Created 2003 by Candice Chovanec-Melzow. |
