In MLA Style, images are categorized in three different types: figures, tables, and musical examples.

• All visuals/illustrations that are not tables or musical score examples are labeled as figures (examples: maps, drawings, photographs, diagrams, charts, infographics, etc.)
• Musical illustrations (example: part of a musical score) are labeled as examples.

Basic Elements for Figures:

• Image: insert image above the illustration label and caption.
• Illustration label: place the illustration label in the document main text (example: see fig. 1) and below the illustration (Fig.1)
• Caption: place the caption after the illustration label, in the same line. Captions provide titles or explanatory notes. You can also provide source information in the caption. The caption in the example above provides the complete source information.

Basic Elements for Tables:

• Table label: place the table label in the document main text (example: see table 1) and above the table title (Table 1)
• Title: table title is placed below the table label.
• Table: place table below the table title.
• Caption: place the caption below the table. The caption includes the table's source information. 
  • Notes (optional): designate notes to the table with lowercase letters. Add any additional explanatory information related to the table.

Basic Elements for Examples:

• Image: insert musical illustration above the example label and caption.
• Example label: place the example label in the document main text (example: see ex. 1) and below the musical illustration (Ex. 1)
• Caption: place the caption after the example label, in the same line. Captions provide titles or explanatory notes. You can also provide source information in the caption.

In MLA 9, images and tables have captions. Captions should include source information.

There are two ways to include source information in the caption.

Option 1: Provide full source details in the caption by punctuating the caption like a citation. The author or creator name should be shown as First Name, Middle Name (if applicable), and Last Name. If you provide complete information about the source and the source is not referenced in the text, you do not need to have the citation of this source in your Works Cited list.

Option 2: Provide partial source information and use commas to separate the elements. Provide the citation of this source in your Works Cited list. 

Option 1 Example: Full source information in the caption

Option 2 Example: Partial source information in the caption and citation on Works Cited page

More information can be found on the MLA Style Website: 

• Tables and Illustrations

• How to Cite an Image