Consistent and clear figures are essential for effective scientific communication. Properly prepared figures and figure legends enhance the clarity and impact of your manuscript in the life sciences.
Begin by using uniform, precise names for your experimental groups throughout the manuscript. Select concise, specific names that reflect key features relevant to your study, such as genotype, sex, age, or treatment. Clearly distinguish control groups, especially if multiple controls exist, and present them first in all graphs and images. Maintain a logical, consistent order and color scheme for all groups to facilitate reader comprehension. For few groups, use black, white, and grey; for more groups, apply simple colors or patterns without overwhelming the visual presentation.
Ensure every graph includes clearly labeled x- and y-axes with units (e.g., distance moved [m]). Use consistent formatting for titles, fonts, and line thickness across all graphs in your manuscript. Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Calibri improve readability, especially at small sizes.
Photographic images require the same attention to detail: include scale bars to provide spatial context and choose fluorescent colors thoughtfully — green is easiest to distinguish, while red and blue can be challenging for the human eye. Avoid improper image manipulation to maintain scientific integrity. Assemble figure panels logically and label them sequentially (A, B, C, etc.), following journal guidelines. Arrange panels tightly to optimize space and potentially reduce publication costs. If your manuscript contains fewer than four figures, consider submitting it as a Short Communication or Brief Report, following journal-specific requirements and your academic program’s recognition policies.
Craft figure legends that are concise yet comprehensive. Each legend should have a unique, descriptive title and provide enough detail to understand the figure independently of the main text. Include information on group sizes (n), statistical methods, symbols for significance, scale bar dimensions, and explanations of abbreviations. Decide early whether to use American or British English and apply this choice consistently.