Section-Specific

Figures

Examples: Figures within Narrative | Figures in Landscape Layout

About

A figure can be a graph, histogram, pie chart, drawing, image, photograph, screenshot, etc. The use of color is acceptable. 

All figures should be high resolution .tif, .jpg, or .png files. Avoid the use of .pdfs as this format may appear blurry when inserted into the manuscript. 

The figure and figure caption must all appear on one page. Figures and their captions cannot span multiple pages.

The figure does not need to be on the page where it is discussed in the manuscript. If the figure will not fit on the page where it is first mentioned, we strongly suggest that it either be on the next page or compiled at the end of the chapter, along with all the other figures from that chapter.

If a figure is pushed to a new page, be sure to fill in excess space on the previous page with text from after the figure.

NOTE: If the figure has been previously published or has been drawn from other source material, you must determine whether copyright permission is needed. (Consult with the publisher or USF’s copyright librarian.)

Format

General Formatting
  • Font: Same style as the manuscript. Size may be reduced to as low as 8 pt. but must remain legible.
  • Line Spacing: May be single-spaced or double-spaced.

Figures Presented in Landscape
Tables and Figures too wide to fit legibly on a vertical page may be placed on a landscape page.
🎦VIDEO: How to Rotate a Singular Page in Word

Figure Title Formatting
  • Figure captions may be placed above or below the figures. The chosen placement must be consistent for all figures in the manuscript. We recommend you defer to the style guide preferred by your field or department.
  • Note must be placed below the figure.
  • Figure captions must be styled consistently throughout the manuscript.
  • The first sentence of the Figure caption must match the text written in the List of Figures verbatim (word-for-word).
Figure Formatting
  • All figures are numbered consecutively and typed in Arabic numerals using a consistent style.
    • Option A: Sequential (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3,...)
    • Option B: Sequential by Chapter (Figure 1.1, Figure 1.2, Figure 1.3, Figure 2.1, Figure 2.2, Figure 3.1,...)
  • Figure notes must be placed below the caption.

Figures may be inserted within the manuscript one of the three following ways:

  • within the text (preferred)
  • on free-standing pages in the related chapter (not recommended unless necessary)
  • compiled at the end of each chapter

The figure and figure caption must all appear on one page. Figures and their captions cannot span multiple pages.

Figures, like the captions, should be placed consistently throughout and aligned either center or left without any wrapping text.

  • NOTE: When labeling supplementary material please use an indicator in the title, for example, but not limited to: placing a letter within the numbering. 
    Example: "Figure S.1  Additional Findings" "Figure A1  Additional Findings"
  • The page numbers associated with each figure must match the page number listed in the List of Figures.
  • All Figures must be high resolution. If text is included, be sure the text is legible.