Cordon J.
Cordon J.

An Ultimate Guide Towards Appendix Writing

6 min read

Published on: Jan 12, 2021

Last updated on: Dec 29, 2022

Appendix Writing

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If you are new to research writing, appendix writing would not be a much familiar term for you. But this blog is here to tell you what appendix writing is, what its elements are, and how to structure it.

The appendix is an auxiliary part of a research paper. The material of the appendix may not be essential for paper. But it can play a vital role in developing a better understanding of concepts introduced in the research paper.

An appendix may consist of information that may prove cumbersome if added into the body of the paper. The content can also be some supporting material that would distract the reader from the main problem if included in the body of the paper.

Following is a detailed guide about appendix writing that will help you write an effective appendix for your paper.

Appendix Writing Definition

The appendix is a supplementary part of the research paper that includes information that supports or explains the research question. It helps the reader to understand the research concepts being introduced in the paper.

The appendices usually contain the content that would be irrelevant to be added into the body of the paper.

An appendix is the best place to raw data either statistical or substantial descriptive data supporting your ideas and arguments. The appendix can also be a good spot to list and accommodate supporting non-textual data e.g. tables, graphs, and charts.

Keep in mind, there should be separate appendices for each topic. Moreover, the title of each appendix should be descriptive enough to tell about its contents.

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Appendix Writing Structure & Style

While structuring and writing an appendix of your paper keep the following points in your mind:

Placement of Raw Data

An appendix can be the best place to put your raw data. A well-formatted raw data will help your readers to cross-check your results.

While researching a topic you may have plenty of raw data but putting it all in the appendix won’t be very beneficial. Add the data that you have referred to in your text. This will make your appendix relevant.

This raw data can vary from sample calculations to specialized data that you have referred to in the body of your paper. A valid set of statistical data can also be a part of the appendix.

Contributory facts from sources other than the mentioned source that supports your findings can also be part of the appendix. While mentioning these facts make sure that you have cited them well and you have added the references in the reference list.

Structure the Non-Textual Content Carefully

Non-textual elements including graphs, tables or figures, and maps can also be placed in the appendix. But make sure they are relevant.

As these supporting visuals are non-essential so try to give them sequencing that is different from the sequential numbering of textual elements in the body of the paper. Thus, their removal will not affect the sequence and structure of the paper.

Separate Page for Listing Different Appendices

If your document has multiple appendices, list them on different pages in the table of contents. This formatting will make the text citation easy for the reader.

You can list the appendices after the title page and before the introduction chapter in the table of contents. Or they can be listed after the conclusion, before the references chapter in the contents table.

So whenever a user wants to check an appendix they just refer to the table and know where the appendix and required information exactly is.

Good Place for Supporting Graphics

If you have some supporting graphics e.g. maps, graphs, charts or images that you think are relevant and would be helpful for the reader you can always put them in the appendix. This will help the reader to understand the parts of these graphics in the paper.

Streamlining Your Appendix is Important

An appendix with plenty of information with complex structure will puzzle the reader. If your paper has a long and complex appendix try to break it down into multiple simple appendices.

Simpler appendices help the readers to easily find the relevant information by a quick reference to the appendix

Content of Appendix

An appendix should consist of the nonessential information being referred to in the body of the research paper. An appendix with the information that has not been mentioned anywhere in the paper is of no use.

Appendices should be arranged in the sequence in which they were referred in the body of the paper. For example, the appendix referred at page 1 of the paper should not be mentioned at number eight in the appendix list.

Although there are no hard-fast rules regarding the contents of an appendix but following are some common content examples that can be included in an appendix.

Correspondence Documents

If you have done collaborative research, you can add correspondence letters, memorandums, and copies of emails from the collaborators in the appendix.

Interview Transcripts

Interviews are one of the primary qualitative research methods. In this type of research paper, full interview transcripts and interview protocols are very important.

Thus, it is suggested to add them in your appendix so that the reader gets a better understanding of the whole scenario.

Supporting Visuals

If you have plenty of visuals, filter them as per relevancy and add the most relevant in the body of your paper. Place the remaining visuals and non-textual elements in the appendix.

Questionnaires

If you have conducted survey-based research include your survey instrument in your appendix. Also, if you have used a questionnaire as a survey instrument, add it to your paper.

Along with the questions also mention the sequence in which you have asked the questions.

It will help the readers to better understand the answers.

Supporting Statistical Data

This data can be anything from a statistical chart to a huge table with multiple statistical figures. These charts and tables contain the values some of which have been referenced in the body of the paper.

Sample Calculations

These sample calculations can vary from quantitative research formulas to the detailed description of the application of these formulas.

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Appendix Writing Format

There are a number of standards defined for formatting an appendix. These formats can be used as per the instructions of your professor. These standards include appendix writing MLA, APA, and Chicago. The templates for these formats are easily available online.

Following are some general formatting guidelines for your appendix:

  • Arrange your appendices in the sequence in which they have been referred in the text.
  • Give a clear title to your appendix e.g. APPENDIX A, Appendix 1, etc.
  • Write a separate appendix for every topic.
  • The title of the appendix should be on top of the page, bold and centered.
  • If you are having multiple appendices, start every appendix from a new page.
  • If your paper has a table of contents your appendices must be listed in it.
  • Page numbers of the appendix should be in continuity with the page numbers of text.
  • The text of the paper in the appendix is suggested to be double spaced.

Appendix Writing Examples

Following are the most followed formats for writing an appendix in the document.

While writing an appendix always keep in mind that the appendix is a supplementary part of a paper. Your paper should be comprehensive enough to convey its message to the readers and researchers without even an appendix. So make sure that your paper is not dependent on the appendix and it can stand alone as a complete research article.

To make an appendix beneficial for you and your readers, always try to make it relevant, well-structured, and clear. An irrelevant, poorly structured, and vague appendix would neither be of your nor of readers.

Hope the blog has helped you understand the process of appendix writing, its structuring, and what to add to it. But if some questions are still banging in your head don’t hesitate to reach our essay writer.

Our experienced writers will entertain your queries. You can also place an order to get the best appendix done for your paper.

Cordon J.

WRITTEN BY

Cordon J. (Literature, Marketing)

Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.

Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.

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