Constructing a Table

NOTE:

Use figures 154 and 155 to follow the discussion of the parts

of a wellconstructed table. Both figures provide an example of

a wellconstructed table.

(1) Title. You should center the title at the top of the table

and use only uppercase (capital) letters. Ensure the title you select

is clear and concise, tells the reader what data the table contains, and

where it applies. You should never sacrifice clarity for brevity. If

you have any doubts about the clarity of the title, you should use a

longer title rather than running the risk of having a title that

confuses the reader or the reader will not understand. Use the

selection criteria used for titling a chart when titling a table.

(2) The body of the table. The body of the table has five main

parts:

(a) Columns. The columns contain the vertical listings of the

table. Columns with no entries tend to confuse the reader. To prevent

any misunderstanding or confusion, each column must have an entry. If

the column does not require an entry, use a footnote to indicate that

fact.

(b) Rows. The rows contain the horizontal listings of the

table. Just like the columns, each row must have a heading and an

entry.

(c) Captions and stubs. There many different systems you can

use when constructing the captions and the stubs. You can arrange the

data alphabetically, geographically, chronologically, etc., or in any

logical order that presents the data the way the requester desires. If

you choose to list the data alphabetically, use the subject as the order

of presentation. When listing the data geographically or

chronologically, choose the best way suited to emphasize the data that

the table presents.

For example, when listing the data geographically, you could size,

either increasing or decreasing, as the determining factor for the order

the table presents the data. When using chronological order as the

determining factor, you arrange the data in order of interest, oldest to

newest, or any customary classification. No matter what system you use

to organize the data, you must reach a final decision before you

construct the table.

The captions used for the table must relate to the title and present a

precise, clear meaning of the data in the columns. Because the title

and the captions have a very close relationship, you can use short,

brief captions when you have a detailed title. At the other end of the

spectrum, you must use captions

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SS0530