Sample Figures

The following sample figures illustrate how to set up figures in APA Style. Note that any kind of visual display that is not a table is considered a figure.

There many ways to make a figure, and the samples shown on this page represent only some of the possibilities. The samples show the following options:

Sample figures are covered in Section 7.36 of the APA Publication Manual, Seventh Edition

  • The sample bar graph and the sample line graph show how to use color in combination with pattern and shape to make an attractive and accessible figure.
  • The sample line graph shows how to include a copyright attribution in a figure note when you have reprinted or adapted a copyrighted figure from a scholarly work such as a journal article (the format of the copyright attribution will vary depending on the source of the figure).
  • The CONSORT flowchart demonstrates how to describe the flow of participants through a study. Further information and a template for the flowchart are available on the CONSORT website.
  • The sample map shows how to include a copyright attribution in a figure note when you have reprinted or adapted a figure from a work in the public domain (in the example, U.S. Census Bureau data).

Use the following links to go directly to the sample figures:

These sample figures are also available as a downloadable Word file (DOCX, 37KB). For more sample figures, see the Publication Manual as well as published articles in your field.

Sample Bar Graph

Figure 1

Framing Scores for Different Reward Sizes

Sample bar graph showing framing scores for three levels of reward and four different age groups.

Note. Framing scores of adolescents and young adults are shown for low and high risks and for small, medium, and large rewards (error bars show standard errors).  

Sample Line Graph

Figure 3

Mean Regression Slopes in Experiment 1

Sample line graph showing regression slopes for four conditions in the experiment.

Note. Mean regression slopes in Experiment 1 are shown for the stereo motion, biocularly viewed monocular motion, combined, and monocularly viewed monocular motion conditions, plotted by rotation amount. Error bars represent standard errors. From “Large Continuous Perspective Change With Noncoplanar Points Enables Accurate Slant Perception,” by X. M. Wang, M. Lind, and G. P. Bingham, 2018, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 44(10), p. 1513 (https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0000553). Copyright 2018 by the American Psychological Association. 

Sample CONSORT Flowchart

Figure 2

CONSORT Flowchart of Participants

Sample CONSORT flowchart describing flow of participants through a study.

Sample Path Model

Figure 1

Path Analysis Model of Associations Between ASMC and Body-Related Constructs

Sample path model of how appearance-related social media consciousness and time spent on social media are related to body esteem, body comparison, and body surveillance.

Note. The path analysis shows associations between ASMC and endogenous body-related variables (body esteem, body comparison, and body surveillance), controlling for time spent on social media. Coefficients presented are standardized linear regression coefficients.
***p < .001.

Sample Qualitative Research Figure

Figure 1

Organizational Framework for Racial Microaggressions in the Workplace

Sample flowchart describing racial microaggressions in the workplace, including examples of racial microaggressions, processes, and coping strategies.

Sample Mixed Methods Research Figure

Figure 1

A Multistage Paradigm for Integrative Mixed Methods Research

Sample diagram showing the six stages of qualitative textual evidence and the corresponding six stages of quantitative numeric evidence.

Sample Illustration of Experimental Stimuli

Figure 4

Examples of Stimuli Used in Experiment 1

Two computer-generated cartoon bees, one with two legs, a striped body, single wings, and antennae, and the other with six legs, a spotted body, double wings, and no antennae.

Note. Stimuli were computer-generated cartoon bees that varied on four binary dimensions, for a total of 16 unique stimuli. They had two or six legs, a striped or spotted body, single or double wings, and antennae or no antennae. The two stimuli shown here demonstrate the use of opposite values on all four binary dimensions.

Sample Map

Figure 1

Poverty Rate in the United States, 2017

Map of the United States, with color gradients indicating percentage of people living in poverty.

Note. The map does not include data for Puerto Rico. Adapted from 2017 Poverty Rate in the United States, by U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 (https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/2018/comm/acs-poverty-map.html). In the public domain.