figure

 \begin{figure}[placement]

  body of the figure

 \caption{figure title}
 \end{figure}

Figures are objects that are not part of the normal text, and are usually "floated" to a convenient place, like the top of a page. Figures will not be split between two pages.

The optional argument [placement] determines where LaTeX will try to place your figure. There are four places where LaTeX can possibly put a float:

h Here - at the position in the text where the figure environment appears.
t Top - at the top of a text page.
b Bottom - at the bottom of a text page.
p Page of floats - on a separate float page, which is a page containing no text, only floats.

The standard report and article styles use the default placement tbp.

The body of the figure is made up of whatever text, LaTeX commands, etc., you wish. The \caption command allows you to title your figure.

See also Environments, Picture
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Revised by Sheldon Green, agxsg@giss.nasa.gov, 12 May 1995.