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The Appendix (How to Use One in an Essay)

The Appendix (How to Use One in an Essay)

  • 2-minute read
  • 30th March 2017

The appendices in an essay are not typically essential, but they can play an important supporting role. Not everyone knows how to use an appendix in academic writing , though, so we’ve prepared this handy guide.

What Is an Appendix?

An appendix (plural: appendices ) is a section at the end of a book or essay containing details that aren’t essential to your work, but which could provide useful context or background material.

In the main body of your essay, you should indicate when you’re referring to an appendix by citing it in parentheses. For example:

The interviews show that most people like ice cream (see Appendix C).

What Should Go in the Appendices?

Appendices can include many things depending on your topic. Common examples of information added to an appendix include:

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  • Raw data from tests
  • Technical figures, graphs or tables
  • Maps, charts or images
  • Letters or emails used in research
  • Sample questionnaires or surveys
  • Full interview transcripts

What these have in common is that you might need to refer to them in an essay without going into too much detail. For example, you might summarise the results of a test in the ‘Results’ section of a dissertation, then include the full data in appendices to ensure clarity.

How to Format Appendices

Exactly how to format appendices can vary between universities, so you should always check your style guide. Generally, though, appendices should:

  • Appear at the end of your document, often after the reference list
  • Be divided into sections depending on topic (e.g. separate sections for questionnaire results and interview transcripts)
  • Have each appendix section start on a new page
  • Be labelled with a letter or number, along with a title clarifying content (Appendix A: Instrument Diagrams, Appendix B: Test Results, etc.)
  • Appear in the table of contents at the beginning of your document

How not to format appendices: as a large pile of unsorted paper on your desk. (Photo: Phil Whitehouse/flickr)

Are Appendices Included in the Word Count?

Appendices are not usually included in the word count for an essay. Consequently, you can focus on key information in your work and place extra data in an appendix without worrying about the word count.

However, you should always check your style guide on this. And remember that if you rely on something in your main essay, it needs to be included there: you can’t just shuffle it into the appendices to reduce the word count !

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Easy Guide on How to Write an Appendix

whats an appendix in essay

Understanding What Is an Appendix

Many students ask, 'What is an appendix in writing?'. Essentially, an appendix is a compilation of the references cited in an academic paper, prevalent in academic journals, which can be found in any academic publication, including books. Professors frequently require their students to include an appendix in their work.

Incorporating an appendix in your written piece can aid readers in comprehending the information presented. It is important to note that different professors may have varying guidelines on how to write an appendix. To learn more about how to write an appendix for a research paper according to APA, Chicago, and MLA styles, check out the following paragraphs prepared by our PRO nursing essay writing service !

Meanwhile, note that an appendix comprises all the information utilized in a paper, including references and statistics from several authors and sources (the number varies according to the type of academic paper). The purpose of the appendix is to prevent vague or irrelevant information and improve the reader's understanding of the paper.

The Purpose of an Appendix

To understand what an appendix tries to accomplish and how to write an appendix example, after all, we must first answer the key question, 'What is the purpose of an appendix?'. In short, an appendix is crucial for further explaining complex information that may be difficult to fully convey within the main text of an essay. It is intended to offer readers additional information about the topic addressed in the paper.

The material presented in an appendix has the potential to bolster the argument and sway the reader's opinion. Nonetheless, you should try to incorporate supporting material and examples toward the end of the paper to avoid disrupting the flow of the main text. Furthermore, the likelihood of including an appendix increases as a paper becomes more advanced. The use of an appendix is especially prevalent in the academic writing of a research document and journal-style scientific paper, in which extra information is usually needed to support a main point of view.

How to Structure an Appendix

While there are variations between formats, each one follows a basic structure. Thus, understanding the general structure is an essential first step in learning about this topic. No matter if you're tasked with 'how to write an appendix MLA or APA style?' - remember that both adhere to this structure, despite their differences:

How to Structure an Appendix

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Every Appendix Should Contain:

  • A clear title: The title of the appendix should be concise and descriptive, clearly indicating what information is contained within it. For example, 'Appendix A: Data Tables for Study Results or 'Appendix B: Images of Experimental Setup.'
  • A list of contents: Including a table of contents in the appendix can be helpful for readers to navigate the information provided. For example:

Table of Contents:

A. Data Tables for Study Results

B. Images of Experimental Setup

C. Survey Questions and Responses

D. Sample Interview Transcripts

  • Page numbers: The appendix should be a separate page, independently numbered from the main body of the paper, and specified uniformly (e.g., 'Appendix A,' 'Appendix B,' etc.). For example:

Page 1 of 5

  • Relevant information: The appendix should contain all the relevant information supporting the main arguments of the document, including tables of data, raw statistical data, charts, or other documents. For example:

Figure 1: Experimental Results

[insert graph or chart here]

  • Proper formatting: The appendix should be formatted in accordance with the specific requirements of the chosen citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). For example:

Appendix B: Survey Questions and Responses

[insert survey questions and responses here, formatted following APA style guidelines]

  • Clear labeling: Each element should have a clear appendix label so readers can easily understand its relevance to the paper. For example:

Table 1: Demographic Characteristics of Survey Respondents

  • Concise explanation: It is important to provide short detailed descriptions of each element in the Appendix so that readers can understand its importance. For example:

Appendix C: Sample Interview Transcripts

Transcripts of the three interviews with the study participants shall be included for reference. These interviews provide further insights into the experiences of participants and their views on the subject addressed in this document.

Need college essay help ? You can always ask us to do a custom term paper from our professional writers.

General Appendix Format

To ensure proper formatting, it is important to understand the basics of how to structure an appendix. Although it may seem overwhelming, the basic format is relatively easy to comprehend and serves as a foundation for understanding the APA and MLA formats. Additionally, mastering the basic format can be helpful when writing an appendix for a book or dissertation.

General Appendix Format

  • Heading “Appendix #” . Contains a number or letter, that could be 1 or A.
  • Reference List.
  • Index Table followed a list of appendices.
  • Page Number.

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How to Write an Appendix in Different Styles

There are two distinct styles for creating an appendix, and it's important to familiarize yourself with both since a professor may request one or the other. Our expert writers have compiled guidelines and rules for both formats - the Appendix APA format and the Appendix MLA format. Although they share some similarities, they also have unique features and regulations that must be strictly followed.

Appendix APA

Many professors require students to write an appendix in a paper of this format. To master how to write an appendix APA format and get the structure correct, it's a good idea to follow these guidelines and rules:

The guidelines for Appendix APA:

  • The appendix begins with the heading 'Appendix' followed by ABC.
  • It should also be written on top of the appendix title.
  • Every appendix follows the order of the stated information in the paper.
  • Include the appendix after the reference list.
  • Include page numbers for each appendix.
  • Appendices are to have their own page, regardless of the size.
  • Include Footnotes.

The general rules for Appendix APA are to be followed when writing. This is what professors look for when a paper is required when apprentices are to be written in this format. Learn the general rules to master how to write an appendix APA style and get you onto the right path to success. You may find it useful to memorize this information or keep a note of it.

Rules for APA:

  • All appendices should include their own point.
  • Include a title for each appendix.
  • For multiple appendices, use ABC for tilting them.
  • For reference within the body, include (see appendix a) after the text.
  • The title should be centered.
  • All appendices are to have their own page, regardless of the size.
  • Paragraph One should be written without indents.
  • The rest of the paragraphs should have the intended formatting.
  • Include double spacing.

Whether you're tackling how to write an interview paper in APA appendix or any other type of academic work, the following example can serve as a valuable blueprint to guide you through the process.

Appendix Chicago Style

Writing an appendix Chicago style is rather similar to APA. Though, there are some minor differences. Take a look at these guidelines for this form of an appendix.

Guidelines for an Appendix Chicago Style

  • More than one appendix is described as appendices.
  • The font required for the appendix Chicago style is Times New Roman.
  • The text size should be 12 points.
  • The page numbers should be displayed on the top right of each page.
  • The page numbers should also be labeled as 'Page 1,2,3'.
  • Avoid including a page number on the front cover.
  • The bibliography should be the final new page. It should not share a page with any other content.
  • It is possible to include footnotes in the bibliography.

To better comprehend how to write an appendix in Chicago style, glance through the example below:

Appendix MLA Format

The guidelines and regulations for creating an appendix in MLA format are largely similar to those in APA format. However, there are some differences between the two, the most notable being that the MLA appendix is placed before the reference list.

The guidelines for MLA Format:

  • The appendix is included before the list of references.

It may be useful to follow the example of an appendix to better understand how to write an appendix in MLA style. Doing so can increase the chances of getting a grasp of the MLA rules to fulfill the requirements of your professor on your academic paper.

Rules for MLA

  • The title is to be centered.
  • The list should be double-spaced.
  • The first line should include each reference in the left margin. Every subsequent line is to be formatted so it's invented. This can be referred to as 'hanging indent' to make things easier.
  • The reference list must be in alphabetical order. This can be done with the first letter of the title of the reference. Though, this is usually done if the writer is unknown. If the writer is known, you can also use the first letter of the surname.
  • If you include the name of the known writer, use this order. SURNAME, FIRST NAME, YEAR.
  • Italic fonts are required for the titles of complete writings, internet sites, books, and recordings.
  • It is important not to use an italic font on reference titles that only refer to the part of a source. This includes poetry, short papers, tabloids, sections of a PDF, and scholarly entries.

Before we conclude, let's dive deeper into the world of appendix writing by exploring an example of how to write an appendix MLA style.

Let's wrap this up! It's safe to say that following the APA, Chicago, and MLA formats is crucial when crafting an appendix. As we've seen, starting with an APA appendix example can help ease you in mastering how to write an appendix of paper. Once you have a handle on the precise formats and guidelines, creating an appendix becomes a piece of cake. Also, memorizing the format can help you whip up accurate appendices for any type of paper, whether an essay or a dissertation. Trust us, mastering this topic is a must if you want to excel in knowing how to write an appendix in a report or any other academic work.

Moreover, if you ever find yourself in need of additional academic assistance, be sure to check out our resources on how to write an article review . Or, better yet, why not let us handle your most challenging tasks with ease by simply sending us a ' write my paper request? We are here to support you every step of the way.

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What Is An Appendix In Writing?

What is the purpose of an appendix, how to format an appendix.

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Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

whats an appendix in essay

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How to Use an Appendix

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Annaliese Dunne and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Annaliese Dunne is a Middle School English Teacher. With over 10 years of teaching experience, her areas of expertise include writing and grammar instruction, as well as teaching reading comprehension. She is also an experienced freelance writer. She received her Bachelor's degree in English. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 94,630 times.

You’ve probably seen an appendix (or appendices) at the end of an academic paper. However, you might be unsure of how to include them in your own work. When you’re writing an academic paper, you can use an appendix to add important information that doesn’t fit into your paper. You might include your research materials, raw data, or detailed information that’s good to know but not necessary for readers to understand.

Things You Should Know

  • Format your appendix in traditional paragraph style, and put each appendix on a separate page.
  • Label all your figures, tables, and visuals with the letter of the corresponding appendix, and number the elements within each appendix to make it clear what you’re referring to.
  • Refer to each appendix in the text of your paper, and put your appendices in the order that they’re mentioned.

Deciding When to Use an Appendix

Step 1 Include testing and research materials readers might want to review.

  • Surveys or questionnaires you used in your research
  • Copies of letters or emails
  • Transcripts from interviews

Step 2 Provide supporting information for your topic.

  • Important words that need to be defined
  • Further description of the testing methods or process for choosing a particular testing method
  • A detailed description of the materials or testing equipment you used
  • Interesting details that might interest the reader but aren’t necessary to understand your conclusions
  • Additional background about your topic

Step 3 Include your raw data and original math.

  • For instance, you might include your raw data in 1 appendix and your mathematical proofs in a separate appendix.

Step 4 Attach photos, maps, or diagrams in an appendix.

  • For example, let’s say you conducted an environmental study. You might include a map of the area you studied.
  • Similarly, you might include a photo of your lab setup for a chemistry experiment.

Formatting Appendices

Step 1 Make a separate appendix for each piece of information.

  • For instance, let’s say you want to create appendices for a questionnaire, emails you exchanged with an expert on your topic, and raw data from an experiment you did. You’d need 3 separate appendices.

Step 2 Put each appendix on a separate page.

  • For instance, Appendix A might be on pg. 23, Appendix B may be on pg. 25, and Appendix C could be on pg. 26.
  • If you have 3 or fewer short appendices, you may decide to include them on the same page. However, it’s easier for readers to scan them if they’re on separate pages.

Step 3 Start labeling the appendices with “Appendix” or “Appendix A.”

  • You don’t need to describe what’s included in the appendix in the title.

Variation: You can use numbers if you prefer. You might choose to label multiple appendices “Appendix 1,” “Appendix 2,” Appendix 3,” and so on. [8] X Research source

Step 4 Use consecutive letters or numbers to label multiple appendices.

  • For instance, you might have an “Appendix A,” Appendix B,” and Appendix C” at the end of your paper. Similarly, you could write, “Appendix 1,” Appendix 2,” and “Appendix 3.”

Step 5 Label your tables and graphs with a new numbering sequence.

  • For instance, you might start over with “Appendix Table 1” or “Appendix Figure A.”
  • If a particular table or graph is necessary for your reader to understand your conclusions, include in your paper rather than an appendix.

Inserting Appendices into Your Paper

Step 1 Refer to each appendix in the text of your paper.

  • For instance, when discussing survey results, you might include this text: “See Appendix A for a copy of the survey.”

Step 2 Put your appendices in the order they appear in your paper.

  • For example, let’s say you have an appendix for a survey, an appendix for your raw data, and an appendix for an interview transcript. If you reference the interview first, followed by the survey and data, you’d put the appendices in that order.

Step 3 Put your appendices either before or after your references page.

  • Check the instructions from your instructor or the journal where you’re submitting to see if they have specific rules about where the appendices should be placed.

Step 4 Insert page numbers that continue the paper’s numbering sequence.

  • For instance, if your paper ended on page 22, your first appendix would be page 23.

Step 5 List the appendices on the table of contents.

  • You don't need a table of contents to have appendices.

Expert Q&A

Annaliese Dunne

  • You can typically use an appendix for information or materials that mess up your paper structure. For instance, putting a copy of a survey in your paper would likely throw off the format of the paper. [16] X Research source
  • If information is essential for your reader to know, include it in the body of your paper instead of an appendix. [17] X Research source
  • Don’t include your appendices in your word count.

Expert Interview

whats an appendix in essay

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about writing, check out our in-depth interview with Annaliese Dunne .

  • ↑ https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/392156/WE_Appendices.pdf
  • ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/appendices
  • ↑ https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185936
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/footnotes_appendices.html
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_the_social_sciences/writing_in_psychology_experimental_report_writing/tables_appendices_footnotes_and_endnotes.html
  • ↑ https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/page_files/3/13_AppendixFormat.pdf

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whats an appendix in essay

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What is an Appendix in an Essay? Purpose, Structure, Format, Writing Tips, & Examples

Table of contents.

  • What is an Appendix in an Essay? 

Purpose of an Appendix in an Essay

How to write an essay appendix, what to include in the appendix for essay, what not to include in appendix for an essay, how to format an appendix in an essay, general appendix format in an essay.

  • Tips To Consider After Completion of Appendix in an Essay​

How To Write an Appendix in an Essay APA Format?

Appendix in an essay mla, comparison between appendix and footnotes.

What is An Appendix in An Essay

Author : Vipul Jain

Key takeaways.

  • The appendix in an essay plays a crucial role, as it provides additional information and works as proof for you that you have used valid and authentic sources.
  • The purpose of an essay is to simply provide more information that is not in your essay but is useful for the reader.
  • It is essential for you to go through the learning of how to write an appendix in such a way that your essay gets a good score.
  • Make sure that you have complete knowledge of what to include in your appendix so that you make no mistakes in your appendix.
  • It is also important for you to know what are the things that you should not include in your appendix.
  • Format of appendix explain what is the accurate manner of writing your appendix.
  • Even the format of the appendix depends on different referencing styles, all the reference style has a different format.
  • Comparison between footnotes and appendix is one big difference that is essential for clearing your doubts.

However, students don't know how to include an appendix in an Essay and how to format it as well. So with the help of this blog, readers know about the purpose, and what to include and not to include in the appendix essay with some easy steps including APA, MLA Chicago format.

There is no such difference between types of essays, for example, if you know  how to write a critical essay and its appendix you can use the format in all types of essays, just make sure that different citing styles are different. 

What is an Appendix in an Essay? 

An Essay Appendix is a chapter that contains all of the supplementary information that is not included in the main text but supports your research, and main arguments, a compilation of the references of your essay. The purpose of including an appendix is to explain complex information that is not conveyed in the main text of an essay. 

An Appendix of an Essay contains information that is not included in the main information but helps the reader to understand the research. If you know how to write an essay outline , you must know what an is appendix and why it is required. 

At the time of writing, one question is comes into our mind is what is the purpose of an appendix, and why need to include it after the completion of all my sections? The main purpose of an appendix is to provide information that is not included in the body of an essay. It gives more information to the reader about the topic. 

It also provides additional information about the essay and its appear after the references.

It is the last section of your essay with the information that might be useful for the readers.

You can seek more information on the purpose of the appendix by getting in touch with the Best essay writing service in the UK . 

An Appendix Essay contains supplementary information that directly supports your main argument and the research findings. An Appendix of an Essay includes raw data, graphs, images, supporting documents, and the instruments that you used while writing an essay. If you want to write an Essay Appendix, so you should start with collecting information and formatting the essay. 

Professor require their students to include the appendix in the Essay having different guidelines. Students can write the appendix in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. You can check out the below headings for more information. You can either write it on your own or you can get help from the best essay writing services . 

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An Appendix in an Essay should include all relevant information about your Essay topic that directly supports the main arguments. We can include raw data, images, graphs, tables, calculations, legal documents, maps, and any other supporting material that you used in the main body of your essay. 

If you don't know what type of content you should include in the Appendix Chapter of the Essay. So here are the following points you should include while writing an appendix for an essay. It is highly recommended that you get help from an essay helper to get an understanding of what should be included. 

1. Include Raw Data and Statistical Analyses

In the Appendix chapter, you can include all of your research data, raw data, graphs, and statistical analyses. You must include the raw data that is relevant to your essay, which directly supports your research findings. 

  • The Raw Data include statistical analyses that refer to a body part of the paper. The data and information you include in the body of the paper.
  • You can also include some facts and research findings. At the time of writing the appendix, do not forget to cite references. 

You can look for help with the top-rated website of academic essay writing services for including all your raw data and statistical analyses. 

2. Include Graph, Images, Charts 

  • The Appendix should include graphs, images, supporting tables, maps, supporting material, or any other documents that will support your research findings at the time of writing an essay.
  • In the Appendix of an Essay, you can include graphs, that you created yourself or took from another source. 

3. Include Research Instruments

  • You should add the instruments, that you used at the time of research. This could be a tool, recorder, video camera, or any other device that helps you to collect data. It directly helps you to your reader to understand what to include in an Essay Appendix. If you know how to write an essay structure you know how important it is to include research instruments. 

4. Surveys, Transcripts of Surveys

  • At the time of research, you gather information through surveys and interviews. So as the part of research, you should include copies of surveys and transcripts of interviews. 

5. Page Numbers

  • Do not forget to add the page numbers of each appendix.  Appendices have their page numbers. 

In the appendix of an essay, you should include all the necessary information that directly supports your main argument. But do not include anything that is crucial for an essay but does not support the research. In case you know how to write a discursive essay or any other essay, that won't mean that you must also know everything, as there are many things which are not included in this. 

1. Do not add arguments that are already included in the text. 

2. If the content is not directly related to your research, so avoid long details and explanations.

3. Unless it directly supports your research, do not add the name of the person.

4. If the graphs and visuals are not crucial, so do not include them in the appendix.

5. Do not repeat the information that is already available in the main body.

6 . Citation should be proper, avoid poorly sourced material.

How to Format an Appendix in an Essay

The Appendix should be placed after the end of your essay, just after the references. If you want to add an appendix to an essay, here are the guidelines you should follow while writing an appendix.

While writing an appendix, it's important to understand the general structure. Here are the following points you should know;

1. Heading, Title = "Appendix A or Appendix 1" 2. List of Reference 3 . The table contains the list of appendices 4 . Page Number, Labels 5 . Footnotes

Tips To Consider After Completion of Appendix in an Essay​

  • After the appendix's easy format, you should revise the easy-to-remove mistakes.
  • Make sure you include all of the information that is directly relevant to your research and remove that information that does not support your essay.
  • You might take help from other resources such as Essay Writing Services for better clarity.
  • Use Grammarly, and other spelling mistakes tools to correct the grammar errors. Once you remove all of your mistakes, do a final proofread of the paper to enhance the quality of the essay. 

If your professor asked you to write an essay appendix in APA format, you should follow all the guidelines of APA format we provided below.

It should start with the heading in capital letters, for example, Appendix A, Appendix B. 

You should use a descriptive title in each appendix.

Your appendix should placed after the end of your reference list.

Use bold font and it should be label centered.

Each of the appendices should have page numbers and a separate page.

The first paragraph of the appendix should be flush left but not be indented.

You should include footnotes.

Use double spacing. 

You can even look for such writing services that offer features like " write my essay ", as they have professional eleven knowledge for this. 

If you're writing an appendix in Essay MLA Format, is similar to APA Format. So here are the guidelines we provided below.

In this, the appendix is included before the references part.

For multiple appendices, you can title it as ABC.

The appendix should follow the order and page numbers.

The title of the appendix should be centered and double-spaced.

At the top of the page, you should be bold and center of the page. 

Note: With this, you must also understand how to write a reflective essay and all the other types of essays. 

Chicago 

The Chicago style of the appendix is similar to APA. There are some minor differences listed below.

The Font size should be 12 pt.

The font required in Chicago style is Times New Roman.

The page number should be displayed at the top right of every page.

The Number of pages should start as Pages 1, 2, 3.

You can include footnotes in the references section.

Other than the appendix also make sure that you know how to write a conclusion for the essay , as you need to mention about appendix in the conclusion as well. 

Essays are limited to word counts, and many other things, due to which there are many things left that are essential but cannot be added. This is the reason the appendix is used for sharing supplementary information that is related to your topic and your field. The one big aim of the appendix is to provide more information to the reader, by sharing charts, graphs, numerical data, and many other supporting information. You must also search for the  best websites for essay writing on your own . 

This blog has provided all the required information that will help you learn everything about the appendix. This blog has discussed everything essential for you when you are writing an appendix, this includes understanding the meaning of what is appendix. Further this blog talks about what must be included and what should be not included in your appendix.

There is no use of an appendix if you have no information about the format, you need to learn complete information regarding the format. This blog will help you out with this, as the complete format that must be used for the appendix is mentioned. For your better help, some tips are also mentioned for you to get your appendix perfect. 

Frequently asked questions

How to include appendix in essay.

The appendix of an essay should appear after the references and give each appendix a name such as "APPENDIX 1" and "APPENDIX 2". In an APA style, the appendix chapter appears after your reference list.

How To Create an Appendix in Micro-Soft Word?

If you are writing an essay in Word, so use the section break to add the appendix. For example, give the title of your appendix with the page number updated.

What is an Appendix in an Essay?

The chapter is used to give additional information that is not relevant to the essay's main text but supports the main argument of the essay. It includes charts, graphs, images, surveys, tables, etc.

How To Format an Appendices in an Essay?

You should create your own labeled "Appendix" followed by a title and the next line should describe the subject. All of these headings will be centered and bold at the tip of the page and should be written in the title case.

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Students don’t like writing tasks, especially essays, because they often contain too many unclear requirements. Like, for instance, what is an appendix in an essay exactly? What role does it play? Which information should you include in it? And how to format an appendix?

No worries, we have all the answers in our guide. Let’s begin!

What is an Appendix?

So, what is an appendix in writing?

An appendix is an additional section of an essay, a research paper, or any other academic writing task that contains supplementary information to support the topic.

Usually, the information included in the appendix is too voluminous to be added to the essay itself.

Now, with the definition clear, let’s talk more about the purpose of an appendix.

What is the Purpose of an Appendix?

An appendix in essay writing plays three roles:

  • To provide extra material that you can’t fit in the body of the essay.
  • To explain a particular part of an essay more.
  • To keep the word count of your essay within required limits but still make it more informative by adding supplementary information.

So, based on these roles, your approach to appendix essay writing will differ. For instance, if you want to share extra information from the survey you conducted, you can add it to the appendix and mention in the appropriate section within the body of your essay that the reader should check out the appendix under a particular number (e.g., Appendix 1).

Now, let’s see what kinds of information you can add there.

What Types of Information Does an Appendix Include?

The type of data you include during appendix essay writing will depend on the nature of the task. For example, if you’re writing a comparative essay, you might need to add statistics or polls.

To help you navigate your options, here’s the list of all possible appendices that can be added to a college essay (and other papers, too). You can also check out examples of essays with appendixes by visiting our college paper writing service .

Option #1: Maps and visuals

Essays on the topics of history often require maps to show the locations of major historical events. You may also need to add other visuals, such as illustrations. If the visuals do not belong to you, make sure to credit them properly.

Option #2: Letters

If you’re writing an essay about an author and life events that impacted some of their works, it could be a good idea to add images of letters to illustrate the author’s opinions and experience firsthand. Here, also make sure to credit the letter, mention who the recipient was, and explain to which parts the reader should pay attention.

Option #3: Raw data

Unstructured data often appears in appendices to essays that describe original research. Professors usually require unedited data if your essay is the introductory piece to bigger research. However, raw data still needs systematization - the reader should be able to draw specific conclusions from it.

Option #4: Statistical graphs and charts

Charts are among the most common information types that appear in an essay appendix. You can use statistical graphs of your own making or use a piece from a different resource, but make sure to credit it.

Option #5: Surveys and polls

Oftentimes, argumentative and persuasive essays will require conducting a survey or a poll to represent two conflicting points of view. You can add the survey or poll in the appendix, but it’s advisable to provide an explanatory note, too.

Option #6: Transcripts

Finally, an appendix can include a transcript of anything - a poll, a survey, an interview, etc. Since the reader won’t be able to play the audio or video, and the transcript is too long to include in the body of an essay, it’s perfectly suited for an appendix.

Do You Need an Appendix in Your Essay?

What is an appendix in an essay? We’ve cleared everything you need to know about it, from definition to purpose and possible uses.

Now, is including an appendix always necessary?

No, it’s a section you usually add upon the professor’s request. You can also include it yourself if you see that your essay cannot accommodate all the data you’d like to share.

Now, let’s talk about formatting essay appendices.

How to Format an Appendix?

The formatting rules will depend on the overall formatting style of your essay. If the requirements state that you should apply the MLA style, then it will govern the format of your appendix as well. So, check the guide to the required essay formatting style first.

Nevertheless, there are some general rules as well. So, how to format an appendix properly?

Here’s what it should contain:

  • Number or letter assigned to it
  • Body paragraph references
  • Page numbers (if you have several appendices)
  • Title, followed by a label
  • The appendix crossover and text
  • Reference list

So, this is how you format your appendix: start with the number of your appendix and the body paragraph reference (where it is mentioned in the text). Give page numbers to the appendix if it consists of several pages or you have a few appendices. Next, put the title at the center of the page, followed by the label. Then, start your text: the first paragraph is not intended, each paragraph is double-spaced. Conclude with the reference list, if any.

So, what is an appendix, and which purpose does it serve? Let’s sum up.

An appendix is a supplementary section of any written academic paper needed to provide additional information you otherwise can’t include in the essay itself. Including appendices is usually required by the professor, or you can do it by yourself if needed.

If this is your first time dealing with an essay appendix, and you have no idea what you’re doing, we’re here to help! Our professional writers will help you process data of any complexity for your essay appendix and format it accordingly.

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IMAGES

  1. The Easiest Way to Write an Appendix

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  2. What Does An Apa Appendix Look Like? A Visual Guide

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  3. Complete Guide on Writing an Appendix

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  4. Appendix Example Essay

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  5. How to Write an Appendix: 11 Steps (with Pictures)

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  6. What Is An Appendix And How To Write Effective Appendix?

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COMMENTS

  1. The Appendix (How to Use One in an Essay)

    An appendix (plural: appendices) is a section at the end of a book or essay containing details that aren't essential to your work, but which could provide useful context or background material. In the main body of your essay, you should indicate when you're referring to an appendix by citing it in parentheses. For example:

  2. Appendices Setup

    Write the appendix label at the top of the page in bold and centered. When there is only one appendix, use the label "Appendix." When there are multiple appendices, use the label "Appendix" plus a capital letter (e.g., "Appendix A," "Appendix B"). Write the appendix title on the next line after the appendix label in bold and ...

  3. How to Create an APA Style Appendix

    When more than one appendix is included, they are labeled "Appendix A," "Appendix B," and so on. Present and label your appendices in the order they are referred to in the main text. Labeling tables and figures in appendices. An appendix may include (or consist entirely of) tables and/or figures. Present these according to the same ...

  4. Everything You Need to Know About Appendices in Writing

    Appendices, the plural of appendix, are sections of academic writing with supplemental information about the topic that doesn't fit in the main text. Appendices can include anything helpful to the reader but unnecessary to the topic's progression; these may be charts, graphs, maps, videos, or even detailed explanations too lengthy for the body of the paper.

  5. What Is an Appendix? Structure, Format & Examples

    The guidelines for Appendix APA: The appendix begins with the heading 'Appendix' followed by ABC. It should also be written on top of the appendix title. Abstracts; Every appendix follows the order of the stated information in the paper. Include the appendix after the reference list. Include page numbers for each appendix.

  6. How to Write an Appendix: 11 Steps (with Pictures)

    You'd add an appendix to an essay the same way as you would to any other type of writing. Make sure to give each appendix a name (such as Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on) and put them in the proper position according to the style you're using. ... What's Your Red Flag Quiz. Take Quiz. Am I Smart Quiz. Take Quiz. How Insecure Am I Quiz ...

  7. How to Properly Use an Appendix

    Refer to each appendix in the text of your paper. Every appendix should be relevant to what you discuss in your paper. In your paper, direct the reader to an appendix when it's relevant to what they're reading. If they like, readers can then reference your appendix to get additional information to help them understand your text.

  8. What is an Appendix in an Essay? Structure, Format & Examples

    An Appendix in an Essay should include all relevant information about your Essay topic that directly supports the main arguments. We can include raw data, images, graphs, tables, calculations, legal documents, maps, and any other supporting material that you used in the main body of your essay.

  9. Research Paper Appendix

    Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates. Published on August 4, 2022 by Tegan George and Kirsten Dingemanse. Revised on July 18, 2023. An appendix is a supplementary document that facilitates your reader's understanding of your research but is not essential to your core argument. Appendices are a useful tool for providing additional information or clarification in a research paper ...

  10. A Complete Guide to Writing and Formatting an Appendix in Essay

    An appendix is an additional section of an essay, a research paper, or any other academic writing task that contains supplementary information to support the topic. Usually, the information included in the appendix is too voluminous to be added to the essay itself.