Guide on How to Write an Appendix
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Guide on How to Write an Appendix
An appendix is a collection of references cited in an academic paper, commonly found in academic journals and other publications such as books. Professors often require students to include an appendix in their work. Including an appendix in your writing can help readers better understand the information presented. It’s important to note that different professors may have different guidelines for formatting an appendix. The appendix typically includes all the information used in the paper, such as references and statistics from various authors and sources. The number of references included in the appendix may vary depending on the type of academic paper. The purpose of the appendix is to eliminate vague or irrelevant information and enhance the reader’s comprehension of the paper.
The purpose of an appendix
To comprehend the purpose of an appendix and gain insight into writing an appendix, it is essential to address the fundamental question: “What is the function of an appendix?” In essence, an appendix plays a crucial role in providing further clarification for complex information that may be challenging to fully convey within the main body of an essay. Its aim is to furnish readers with supplementary details about the paper’s topic.
By incorporating material in an appendix, the argument can be fortified and the reader’s perspective influenced. However, it is advisable to introduce supporting evidence and examples towards the end of the paper to maintain the flow of the main text. The inclusion of an appendix becomes more relevant as the paper progresses and advances in complexity. It is particularly prevalent in academic writing, such as research documents and journal-style scientific papers, where additional information is often required to substantiate a central viewpoint.
Tips for writing an appendix
- Get help from examples and samples.
- The content in the appendix is easy to see and understand. It should not take a large amount of time or be too complex for the readers.
- Avoid writing two appendices that deal with the same thing.
- You can also add hand-written notes and analyses in your appendix.
- In MLA style, the appendix appears before the Work Cited page.
- There is no gap between the numbers when you move from the main text to the appendix.
- Review and revise it before submitting.
- Always refer to the appendix to the main text.
- Use the proper format for MLA, Chicago, and an APA paper.
- When more than one appendix is written, either Appendix A or Appendix 1.
- Add in-text citations if you refer to a source in the appendix.
- Add information that is too detailed for the main body of your paper.
Add all appendices at the document’s start in the table of contents
How to write an appendix?
Insert raw data
An appendix serves as a repository for raw data that may not receive significant attention but bolsters your work. However, ensuring that the information provided is relevant to the topic and understandable to readers is crucial. Raw data encompasses any pertinent information that reinforces the results or facts mentioned in the main body of your paper.
Include visual documents
You have the option to incorporate visual elements such as images, charts, graphs, tables, maps, and diagrams in your appendix to aid reader comprehension. These visuals offer the advantage of not taking up valuable space in the main body of your document. Instead, they are referenced in the main body, allowing readers to access additional information. When including graphs, charts, or visuals from other research sources, it is important to properly cite them to give credit to the original authors.
Instruments used
Providing details about the tools and equipment used during your research can be advantageous for your readers. It allows you to illustrate how these devices, such as cameras for capturing photos or tape recorders for recording interviews, were utilized in your research process. By describing the specific methods and techniques employed, you offer your readers a comprehensive understanding of how these tools contributed to the research endeavor.
Transcripts of interviews and surveys
Interviews and surveys play a crucial role in research as they provide valuable insights and enhance the overall understanding of your work. Additionally, photocopies of handwritten work, content, or online copies may also be included in the appendix, depending on the nature of your research topic.
Formatting the appendix
The appendix holds significant importance in a paper, so it is essential to give it proper attention. To ensure a well-written appendix, it is necessary to adhere to specific formatting guidelines, including:
- The appendix should be titled at the top of the page.
- Arrange the content in the same order as it appears in the text.
- Use either capital letters or sentence case for the appendix title.
- Position the appendix after the reference list.
- Add page numbers at the center or bottom right corner of the page.
- Begin each appendix on a new page.
- Maintain consistency in the font type and size throughout the appendix.
Polishing the appendix
Before submitting their work, it is crucial for every student to take an important step. This step involves revising the appendix to ensure clarity and the inclusion of all relevant information. Additionally, any information that is irrelevant or unrelated to the topic should be removed. It is also essential to eliminate any grammar and spelling errors. To achieve this, the appendix should be carefully read multiple times to ensure it is error-free prior to submission.
What to include in the research paper’s appendix?
The background information in the appendix includes various types of content such as calculations, interview transcripts, mathematical proofs for qualitative methods, a reference list, and relevant technical information. This content can take the form of figures, maps, tables, photographs, external links, drawings, charts, graphs, questionnaires, and descriptions, among others. The appendices also serve to provide additional information that either illustrates the content or offers proof of the conclusions drawn in the main text.
How to write an appendix in different styles
Understanding and becoming familiar with both styles of creating an appendix is crucial, as professors may request a specific format. Our expert writers have compiled comprehensive guidelines and rules for both the Appendix APA format and the Appendix MLA format. While there are some similarities between the two styles, each format has its own distinct features and regulations that must be strictly adhered to.
Appendix APA
To meet the requirements of professors who expect an appendix in your paper, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the guidelines and regulations for writing an appendix in APA format. By following these rules and guidelines, you can ensure that you clearly understand the structure and format of an appendix.
The guidelines for Appendix APA:
- The appendix starts with the heading “Appendix” followed by a specific identifier (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B).
- The appendix title should be placed at the top of the appendix page.
- Abstracts should be included in the appendix if necessary.
- The order of the information in the appendix should align with the order presented in the paper.
- The appendix should be placed after the reference list.
- Each appendix should be assigned its own page and include page numbers.
- Footnotes should be included in the appendix if relevant.
It is important to adhere to the general rules to ensure compliance with APA guidelines when writing an appendix. Professors often expect papers to include an appendix, and following the correct format is crucial. Familiarizing yourself with these rules will help you write an appendix in APA style and increase your chances of success. Consider memorizing this information or keeping a note of it for future reference.
Rules for APA:
- Each appendix should have its own separate section.
- Provide a title for each appendix.
- If you have multiple appendices, label them using alphabetical order (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B).
- When referencing an appendix in the main body of the text, include a parenthetical citation like “(see appendix A)”.
- Center the title of each appendix.
- Each appendix should start on a new page, regardless of its length.
- The first paragraph of each appendix should not be indented.
- Use appropriate indentation for the rest of the paragraphs.
- Maintain double spacing throughout the appendix.
Appendix Chicago style
When it comes to writing an appendix in Chicago style, the process is quite similar to APA style with some minor variations.
Guidelines for an appendix Chicago style
- Multiple appendices are referred to as “appendices” in Chicago style.
- Times New Roman is the recommended font for the appendix in Chicago style.
- The text size should be 12 points.
- Page numbers should be placed in the top right corner of each page.
- Page numbers should be labeled as ‘Page 1, 2, 3’ and so on.
- A page number should not be included on the front cover of the appendix.
- The bibliography should start on a new page and not be combined with other content.
- Footnotes can be included in the bibliography.
Appendix MLA format
The guidelines and rules for creating an appendix in MLA format closely resemble those in APA format. However, there are a few distinctions, the most significant being that the MLA appendix comes before the reference list.
The guidelines for MLA format
- The appendix is placed before the reference list.
- If there are multiple appendices, label them Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.
- The order of the information in the paper determines the order of the appendices.
- Each appendix should have page numbers.
- Regardless of their size, each appendix should have its page.
Rules for MLA
- Center-align the title.
- Use double spacing for the reference list.
- The first line of each reference should start at the left margin, while subsequent lines should be indented. This is commonly known as a “hanging indent” format.
- Arrange the references in alphabetical order, either by the first letter of the title (if the author is unknown) or by the first letter of the author’s surname (if the author is known).
- When citing a known author, use the following format: SURNAME, FIRST NAME, YEAR.
- Italicize the titles of complete works, websites, books, and recordings.
- Do not use italics for reference titles that refer to a specific part of a source, such as poetry, short papers, newspapers, sections of a PDF, and scholarly entries.
Conclusion
Following APA, Chicago, and MLA format guidelines is essential for creating an appendix. By referring to an APA appendix example, you can better grasp how to compose an appendix for your paper. Adding an appendix will become effortless once you become familiar with the specific formats and guidelines. Furthermore, memorizing the format will enable you to effortlessly create accurate appendices for any type of paper, be it an essay or a dissertation. It is crucial to master this skill if you aim to excel in appending a report or any other academic work. In addition, if you require extra academic support, Studygroom has got you covered. Alternatively, you can entrust us with your most difficult assignments by submitting a “write my paper” request. We are dedicated to assisting you throughout the entire process.