An appendix, although not always necessary, can be a valuable part of your research paper. It provides additional information that may be helpful to the reader but is not essential to understanding your argument. In this post, our research paper experts have outlined how to write an appendix and give you some tips for writing it effectively. Therefore, keep reading!
What is an Appendix?
An appendix is an accessory to a research paper or book that contains extra information on the paper. It helps provide a more comprehensive understanding of your content and is usually information that is too wordy to be included in the body paragraphs.
What is the purpose of an Appendix?
When introducing supplementary content that may not fit within the body of a paper, you can include an appendix to help readers better understand the material without distracting from the text itself. It introduces research materials and specific study details, is generally concise, and only includes relevant content. Much like with footnotes, appendices may require an acknowledgment of copyright.
What to Include in an Appendix
An appendix should only contain relevant additional information mentioned in your paper. Therefore, Before we tackle our guide on how to write an appendix, you need to know what to include in the appendix.
Raw Data
Raw data includes sample calculations or statistics that expand on the data or information you discuss. You may also have contributory facts from other sources that will help to support your findings in the paper.
Tables and Graphs
The appendix also includes supporting documents like tables and graphs regarding the topic in the essay. Ensure you properly cite any visuals that are not your own in the appendix. Moreover, label them independently from those within the paper.
Maps, Photographs, or Diagrams
Only include these appendices if you have supporting information you would like to reference within the text and want the reader to understand further; otherwise, it’s better to include them in the text.
Letters and Correspondence
You should also include any correspondence you had with subjects in your research, such as copies of emails, letters, or notes written to or from your research subjects. Also, include collaborations with authors or other research personnel in the appendix, allowing readers to understand the research process.
Questionnaires or Survey Forms
You may include written or online copies of completed surveys to support your position in the paper.
Research Instruments
If you used a camera, a recorder, or some other device to gather information, the reader needs to understand how, when, or where you used that device and its results.
Sample Calculations
These are quantitative research formulas or detailed descriptions of calculations used to determine relationships and significance.
Interview Transcripts
The appendix should also include transcripts of any interviews you conducted as part of your research. Ensure the transcripts cover the entire interview, including interview questions and answers.
How to Determine if your Paper Needs an Appendix
As stated before, an appendix is an accessory; therefore, don’t use it unless necessary. So here is a list of factors to consider before having an appendix,
- Do you have detailed information or tables that would interrupt the flow of the paper?
- Do you have data that would be difficult to include in the paper?
- Do you have supporting materials that are not essential to your argument but might be necessary and helpful for readers?
- Is the information relevant to the content of your paper?
If all your answers are yes, then your paper needs an appendix, and you should continue reading our guide on how to write an appendix.
How to Write an Appendix – Structure, Format & Examples
Writing an appendix takes time because it includes various components that have to follow strict rules so you can have organised work. However, there is no need to panic because below is our detailed guide on how to write an appendix. Moreover, it includes the structure of formatting rules you need to observe.
General Rules When Writing an Appendix
- Every appendix should have a number or letter
- Must have references for your body paragraphs.
- For reference to your appendix, but (#) after the sentence.
- Have page numbers for multiple appendices
- Must contain label + title (center of page, normal capitalized fonts).
- Have the crossover of appendix and body Text
- Paragraph 1 is not indented
- The following body text is paragraphs 2 and 3.
- Each paragraph is formatted as double-spaced.
Step- by- Step Process How to Write an Appendix
It is essential to know how you should write an appendix and in what order it appears so the reader can easily follow through with your paper. So in this section, we outline how to write an appendix.
Collecting data/content for the appendix
Data includes all the relevant and extra information necessary for your paper to support your findings. For example, interviews, calculations, or research instruments as noted above. Moreover, Collecting data makes it easier to indicate the order of the appendices as they appear in the text.
Title the Appendix
The title of the appendix is primarily used when referencing throughout the text. Therefore, ensure you use the same title throughout the paper to guide your reader correctly.
Order the data
Each appendix should follow the order as it appears within the text. Present the data in the order that the reader encounters it within the text. This approach makes it easy for readers to follow and understand your points.
Add page numbers
Ensure you start each new appendix on a new page. Also, ensure you add page numbers to facilitate the reader to find specific parts of the appendices and know the size of the paper.
Revise and polish
Revise the appendix to ensure all the included information is relevant to the text. Also, check for spelling and grammar mistakes because you want the appendix to appear as professional as possible. Moreover, you may find it helpful to have someone else read through the appendix and give you feedback. Finally, double-check that the appendix is correctly cited in the paper so the reader can easily access it while reading through the text.
How to Format Your Appendix
This section focuses on how to write an appendix using different APA, MLA, and Chicago style formatting.
APA styles
In this case, the Appendices should start with the heading “Appendix,” written on the top center of the appendix title, followed by letters or numbers where there are more appendices. Each appendix should have its page; ensure you include page numbers for each. Also, include a title for each appendix placed at the center and capitalized—lastly, use double spacing, Times New Roman font, and font size 12.
Rules to follow while formatting in APA:
- The appendix comes after the reference list.
- Every appendix should follow the order as in the paper
- Paragraph one should not have indents. However, the subsequent ones should have them.
- Include footnotes in the appendix
- Reference it in the text as “see Appendix X.”
MLA styles
In this case, including the appendix before the reference list, and for multiple appendices, use the letters ABC or number 123 for tilting them. All appendices have their page, regardless of the size, and you should Include page numbers for each. Use double spacing line format, and the font is Times New Roman, font size 12.
Rules to follow while formatting in MLA
- The appendices should follow the order as in the text
- Place the labels and titles at the center.
- The appendix appears before other cited works.
- The first line should include each reference in the left margin and indent every subsequent paragraph.
- Reference the Appendix as (Refer to Appendix # or see Appendix #).#means the letters or numbers that follow the appendix.
Chicago styles
In this case, use the Times New Roman font and font size 12. Also, display the page numbers on the top right of each page and not on the front cover, and they should be labeled as “Page 1,2,3.” The appendix comes after the reference list.
Conclusion
Appendices can be a great way to provide additional information to your readers without taking up valuable space in the body of your document. When writing an appendix, remember to follow the standard structure for appendices and use clear, concise language. And as always, contact us if you need help getting started on how to write an appendix.
FAQs
What should I put in an appendix?
Include additional not crucial to understanding the paper, such as research instruments, survey forms, questionnaires, raw data, interviews, etc.
How do you cite an image in an appendix?
Write “Figure #,” where # is the image number in the text’s order of appearance.
How do you include an appendix in an essay?
Like in research papers, it should come after the main content of the essay and contain supplementary information.
