A-manual-for-writers-of-research-papers-theses-and-dissertations

Label rows and columns in tables and both axes in charts and graphs. (See chapter 26for the punctuation and spelling of labels.)Use tick marks and labels to indicate intervals on the vertical axis of a graph (see fig.8.4).If possible, label lines, bar segments, and the like on the image rather than in a captionset to the side. Use a caption only if labels make the image too complex to read.When specific numbers matter, add them to bars, segments, or dots on lines.8.3.3 Follow Guidelines for Tables, Bar Charts, and Line GraphsTABLES. Tables with lots of data can seem especially dense, so keep their image and contentas simple as possible.Order the rows and columns by a principle that lets readers quickly find what you wantthem to see. Do not automatically choose alphabetic order.Round numbers to relevant values. If differences of less than 1,000 don't matter, then2,123,499 and 2,124,886 are irrelevantly precise.Sum totals at the bottom of a column or at the end of a row, not at the top or left.Compare tables 8.5 and 8.6. Table 8.5 looks cluttered and its items aren't helpfullyorganized. In contrast, table 8.6 is clearer because its title is more informative, the tablehas less distracting visual clutter, and its items are organized to let us see patterns moreeasily.