Skip to Main Content

Citing Sources Tutorials

Photos, Images, and Other Works of Art

Citing Charts/Graphs, Illustrations, Photographs, and Other Works of Art

Visual art is sometimes created digitally, but may also be digitized directly from an original photograph, painting, or other work of art.  Most charts and infographics are created digitally and will contain statistical information about a topic.  Illustrations can be created both digitally or by hand, and these would include drawings, cartoons, and comic strips.  Photographs can be created both by using film or with a digital camera.  Works of Visual Art refers to sculptures, paintings, and other artwork not previously mentioned.

If you're not sure what type of artwork you are citing, examine any provided information about the image very carefully for any clues that may help.  You may also try searching for the artwork title as an exact phrase in Google Advanced Search.  If you do not see a tutorial that matches your source, ask a librarian for assistance.

Citing Charts, Tables, and Infographics

How do I know if the original source is a chart, table, or infographic?

  • Charts, Tables, Infographics contain:
    • Information presented visually
    • Minimal amount of text in charts, tables, graphs
    • Infographics are visually appealing and may contain more text than charts, tables, or graphs
    • Maps are included in this category

Citing Tips:

  • Locate the source citation information or chart/graph caption at bottom of chart/graph or page.
  • Make the following selections in NoodleTools:
    • Database OR Website OR Print or in-hand
    • Chart, Table, Infographic (Born Digital)
  • Use the Annotation Generator for help creating annotations for your citations. 

Citing Illustrations

How do I know if the original source is an illustration?

  • Illustrations contain:
    • Information presented visually
    • Minimal amount of statistics
    • Drawn or digitally-created pictures and diagrams
  • ​Illustrations are not:
    • Charts, tables, graphs, and infographics
    • Photographs
    • Works of fine art (i.e. paintings, sculptures)

Citing Tips:

  • Locate the source citation information or illustration caption at bottom of illustration or page.
  • Make the following selections in NoodleTools:
    • Database OR Website
    • Photo or Illustration
  • Use the Annotation Generator for help creating annotations for your citations. 

Citing Photographs

If the photograph is of the following:

  • Architecture
  • Artifacts
  • Works of fine art (example: paintings, sculptures)

… then you must cite the architecture, artifact, or work of fine art itself -- NOT the photograph!

(If this is the case, open “Works of Fine Art” tutorial instead.)

Citing Tips:

  • Locate the source citation information or photograph caption at bottom of photograph or page.
  • Make the following selections in NoodleTools:
    • Database OR Website
    • Photo or Illustration
  • Use the Annotation Generator for help creating annotations for your citations. 

Citing Songs

Citing a song can be tricky -- the citation elements depend on whether you heard a live version of the song, listened to a CD or mp3 recording, or watched the music video online.  Carefully consider where you located the song in order to select the appropriate tutorial below.

If you're not sure, examine any provided information about the song very carefully for any clues that may help.  If you do not see a tutorial that matches your source, ask a librarian for assistance.

Citing Works of Visual Art

Works of Visual Art include:

  • Artifacts
  • Paintings
  • Sculptures
  • Art Installations

(If you are working with a photograph of a work of visual art, please see a librarian for assistance.)

Citing Tips:

  • Locate the source citation information or caption at bottom of artwork or page.
  • Make the following selections in NoodleTools:
    • Database OR Website
    • Work of Visual Art
  • Use the Annotation Generator for help creating annotations for your citations. 

Citing Self-Created Images or Works of Art

When YOU are the artist, creator, or owner of an image or work of art, it is good practice to cite your own work to avoid confusion as to who the image or art should be credited to.

Choose , then select the best option from the NoodleTools "Create a New Citation" selection box to complete your citation.