Info: Here you can find an overview of the overall structure of a paper in the Social Sciences.

What do lists of tables or figures look like?

The lists contain a chronological compilation of the titles and page numbers of all figures or tables in the text. They are titled “List of Figures” or “Figures” or “List of Tables” or “Tables” and are not given a number in the table of contents.

Figures and tables are listed in separate listings, and these listings are also included in the table of contents with page numbers.

Examples for indexes

Make preparations

Before creating a list, all tables and figures in your text must be correctly labeled. The label includes the abbreviation “Fig.” along with a consecutive number, the title, and if necessary a short reference when you need to provide a source. For tables it is very uncommon to use the abbreviation “Tbl.”, so you should avoid this.

If you use MS Word, the labeling is done via the function Insert Caption. Enter a precise description (e.g. Table 1: Overview of the experimental results).

Number the labels automatically to keep the numbering consistent. Word will do this for you!

Create a list of tables and figures automatically

Once all tables and figures are labeled, you can have your word processing program create the lists automatically.

Place the cursor where the list should appear (e.g. after the table of contents). In MS Word, go to References → Insert Table of Figures and then choose the desired category Table or Figure. If necessary, you can still adjust the layout.

If you later add or move tables or figures, you should update the list. Click on the list and choose Update Table. Decide whether to update only the page numbers or the entire list.

Citing sources in captions for figures and tables

Figures and tables you include from your sources in your academic paper are treated the same way as direct quotes regarding citation – that is, they are given a short reference in the caption and a full citation in the bibliography.

Creating your own figures and tables

Of course, you can also create your own visual elements to support the understanding of the text. Figures and tables are inserted into the text and labeled appropriately.

Some lecturers want the caption to include the note: own illustration. Others consider this unnecessary because everything in your academic paper that is not cited is attributed to you. It’s best to ask!

The list of figures or tables is an optional part of the structure of a scientific paper.

Frequently asked questions

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Creating a List of Abbreviations

Info: Here you will find an overview of the overall structure of a Social Science / Natural Science paper. This list then contains all subject-specific abbreviations or those introduced in the context of the respective paper. Common abbreviations listed in the dictionary (such as “e.g.”, “i.e.” or “etc.”) are not included. The list of abbreviations …

• glossary
• index
• order
• series

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

• Genres & Structures

Contributors: Autorengruppe Leitfaden efi, Carola Gröhlich, Susanne Heidenreich, Maria Noll, Erika von Rautenfeld, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode, Dennis Christoph Wolff

Can I Write My Own Opinion?

Your actual independent contribution It is essential that an academic paper includes your well-founded, logically comprehensible conclusions based on what you have worked out, read, researched, investigated, thought about, and presented in the paper. This creates something new even in a student paper – something that makes it worth reading. You ask questions, compare, evaluate, …

• Argumentation
• conclusion
• ending
• final part
• position

Faculties: AC, AMP, AR, BI, BW, D, EFI, IN, MB/VS, SOH, SW, VT, WT

• Language & Style

Contributors: Carola Gröhlich, Susanne Heidenreich, Maria Noll, Erika von Rautenfeld, Schreibzentrum, Dzifa Vode, Deirdre Rieker

This article was published in August 2025 and last updated in April 2025.