When preparing a presentation using PowerPoint, you should cite all the images used that you did not create yourself. Graphs or tables that you may have copied from books, websites, or other sources are included. Unlike a text quote, an image description within a slideshow must also have a copyright or license statement. While this may sound complicated, it is generally quite simple if you know where to look. Also, the format of the description varies depending on whether you are using the Modern Language Association -MLA-, American Psychological Association -APA-, or the Chicago Style.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: MLA
Step 1. Write the figure number of the image
Figures are labeled using the abbreviation "Fig." followed by a sequential number. If it is the first image in the presentation, it would be "Fig. 1." Write the abbreviation and number in bold. Put a period after the number.
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Example: Fig. 1.
Step 2. Include a title or description of the image
If the image has a title, enclose it in quotation marks. If it doesn't have a title, write a short description of it. Then write "of," followed by a colon.
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Example: Fig. 1.
Pedestrians walking down the street in graffiti of the word love of:
Step 3. Identify where you got the image from with a full quote
Include a full Works Cited entry for the image source in the image description. MLA does not require an additional entry in Works Cited for your presentation.
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Example: Fig. 1.
Pedestrians walking down the street with the word love graffiti from: "Pedestrian Street Art Protest," Dec. 26 2016. pxhere.com/en/photo/10722. Accessed 29 oct. 2018.
- If the image is available online, include a direct URL to the web page to find the image instead of a page number.
Step 4. Close with copyright or Creative Commons license status
If you placed the image on your presentation slides, you are required to write the copyright or license details in the description. Generally, this information will be placed directly below the image. If you can't find the copyright or license details, don't put the image in the presentation. Put a period at the end of the information.
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Example: Fig. 1.
Pedestrians walking down the street with the word love graffiti from: "Pedestrian Street Art Protest," Dec. 26 2016, pxhere.com/en/photo/10722. Accessed October 29, 2018. Creative Commons CC0.
MLA description format
Fig. X
Image description of: Surname, Name. "Original Image Title." Publication, day month year, p. x. Copyright or CC License.
Method 2 of 3: APA
Step 1. Label the image with a figure number
Immediately below the image, place the word "Figure" in italics, followed by a number for the image. Numbers must be sequential throughout the presentation. Write the word and number in italics. Put a period after the number.
Example: Figure 1
Step 2. Place a description of the image at the bottom of the mass
The image of your presentation is a reproduction of the original. Because the title is only written in the original, the APA style requires a description. Put your description in the form of a sentence, capitalize only the first letter and any proper nouns. Put a period at the end of the description.
Example: Figure 1. Cat watching World of Warcraft on a laptop
Step 3. Include information about where you found the image
Write the words "Adapted from," then write the title, creator, and location of the image. Since you will generally be posting an image from the internet, include a URL for the image.
Example: Figure 1. Cat watching World of Warcraft on a laptop. Adapted from "World of Warcraft Obsession," by Stacina, 2004, retrieved from
Step 4. Close with the copyright or Creative Commons license information
The copyright or license details indicate that you have permission to copy the image and use it in your presentation. If the image is licensed under a Creative Commons license, use the abbreviation that appears. Put a period at the end of the information.
Example: Figure 1. Cat watching World of Warcraft on a laptop. Adapted from "World of Warcraft Obsession," by Stacina, 2004, retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/staci/14430768. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
APA description format
Figure 1. Image description with capital initial. Adapted from "Original image title," by author, year, retrieved from URL.
Step 5. Include a reference list entry in addition to the description
APA style does not require a full citation to be written in the image description. Instead, the full citation is written in the references. Follow the basic APA format for citing an image.
Example: Stacina. (2004). World of Warcraft Obsession [photograph]. Recovered from
APA Reference List Citation Format
Author's last name, First initial. Middle Initial. (Year). Image title with capital initial [Description of the format]. Retrieved from URL.
Method 3 of 3: Chicago Style
Step 1. Put a figure number on the image
Write the description immediately below the image. Begin the description with the word "Figure" followed by a sequential number. Put a period after the number.
Example: Figure 1
Step 2. Put a description on the image
Include the title and author's name in the description, writing a short sentence that ties the image to the rest of the presentation. Depending on the image, the description may also describe what is represented in the image or how it relates to the presentation.
Example: Figure 1. The Banquet of Cleopatra by Giambattista Tiepolo represents a festival between Cleopatra and Mark Antony
Step 3. Include the full image citation in a footnote
The superscript number for the footnote can be in the presentation text or at the end of the description. In the footnote, list the author's name, work title, creation date, and where you found the image. You can also include the dimensions of the original artwork and the materials used, if relevant.
- Example: Giambattista Tiepolo, The Banquet of Cleopatra, 1743-44, oil on canvas, 250.3 x 357.0 cm, accessed May 24, 2018,
- For slide shows, you can use endnotes instead of footnotes so that the slides do not have any information. The format remains the same.
Chicago Style Footnote Format
Author's first name, Last name, Image title, Year, materials, dimensions, consulted on day month year, URL.