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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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  • Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates

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 , dissertation , or thesis without making your final product too long.

Appendices help you provide more background information and nuance about your thesis or dissertation topic without disrupting your text with too many tables and figures or other distracting elements.

We’ve prepared some examples and templates for you, for inclusions such as research protocols, survey questions, and interview transcripts. All are worthy additions to an appendix. You can download these in the format of your choice below.

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Location of appendices

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Table of contents

What is an appendix in a research paper, what to include in an appendix, how to format an appendix, how to refer to an appendix, where to put your appendices, other components to consider, appendix checklist, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about appendices.

In the main body of your research paper, it’s important to provide clear and concise information that supports your argument and conclusions . However, after doing all that research, you’ll often find that you have a lot of other interesting information that you want to share with your reader.

While including it all in the body would make your paper too long and unwieldy, this is exactly what an appendix is for.

As a rule of thumb, any detailed information that is not immediately needed to make your point can go in an appendix. This helps to keep your main text focused but still allows you to include the information you want to include somewhere in your paper.

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what is appendix used for essay

An appendix can be used for different types of information, such as:

  • Supplementary results : Research findings  are often presented in different ways, but they don’t all need to go in your paper. The results most relevant to your research question should always appear in the main text, while less significant results (such as detailed descriptions of your sample or supplemental analyses that do not help answer your main question), can be put in an appendix.
  • Statistical analyses : If you conducted statistical tests using software like Stata or R, you may also want to include the outputs of your analysis in an appendix.
  • Further information on surveys or interviews : Written materials or transcripts related to things such as surveys and interviews can also be placed in an appendix.

You can opt to have one long appendix, but separating components (like interview transcripts, supplementary results, or surveys ) into different appendices makes the information simpler to navigate.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Always start each appendix on a new page.
  • Assign it both a number (or letter) and a clear title, such as “Appendix A. Interview transcripts.” This makes it easier for your reader to find the appendix, as well as for you to refer back to it in your main text.
  • Number and title the individual elements within each appendix (e.g., “Transcripts”) to make it clear what you are referring to. Restart the numbering in each appendix at 1.

It is important that you refer to each of your appendices at least once in the main body of your paper. This can be done by mentioning the appendix and its number or letter, either in parentheses or within the main part of a sentence. It’s also possible to refer to a particular component of an appendix.

Appendix B presents the correspondence exchanged with the fitness boutique. Example 2. Referring to an appendix component These results (see Appendix 2, Table 1) show that …

It is common to capitalize “Appendix” when referring to a specific appendix, but it is not mandatory. The key is just to make sure that you are consistent throughout your entire paper, similarly to consistency in  capitalizing headings and titles in academic writing .

However, note that lowercase should always be used if you are referring to appendices in general. For instance, “The appendices to this paper include additional information about both the survey and the interviews .”

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The simplest option is to add your appendices after the main body of your text, after you finish citing your sources in the citation style of your choice. If this is what you choose to do, simply continue with the next page number. Another option is to put the appendices in a separate document that is delivered with your dissertation.

Location of appendices

Remember that any appendices should be listed in your paper’s table of contents .

There are a few other supplementary components related to appendices that you may want to consider. These include:

  • List of abbreviations : If you use a lot of abbreviations or field-specific symbols in your dissertation, it can be helpful to create a list of abbreviations .
  • Glossary : If you utilize many specialized or technical terms, it can also be helpful to create a glossary .
  • Tables, figures and other graphics : You may find you have too many tables, figures, and other graphics (such as charts and illustrations) to include in the main body of your dissertation. If this is the case, consider adding a figure and table list .

Checklist: Appendix

All appendices contain information that is relevant, but not essential, to the main text.

Each appendix starts on a new page.

I have given each appendix a number and clear title.

I have assigned any specific sub-components (e.g., tables and figures) their own numbers and titles.

My appendices are easy to follow and clearly formatted.

I have referred to each appendix at least once in the main text.

Your appendices look great! Use the other checklists to further improve your thesis.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Yes, if relevant you can and should include APA in-text citations in your appendices . Use author-date citations as you do in the main text.

Any sources cited in your appendices should appear in your reference list . Do not create a separate reference list for your appendices.

An appendix contains information that supplements the reader’s understanding of your research but is not essential to it. For example:

  • Interview transcripts
  • Questionnaires
  • Detailed descriptions of equipment

Something is only worth including as an appendix if you refer to information from it at some point in the text (e.g. quoting from an interview transcript). If you don’t, it should probably be removed.

When you include more than one appendix in an APA Style paper , they should be labeled “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so on.

When you only include a single appendix, it is simply called “Appendix” and referred to as such in the main text.

Appendices in an APA Style paper appear right at the end, after the reference list and after your tables and figures if you’ve also included these at the end.

You may have seen both “appendices” or “appendixes” as pluralizations of “ appendix .” Either spelling can be used, but “appendices” is more common (including in APA Style ). Consistency is key here: make sure you use the same spelling throughout your paper.

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what is appendix used for essay

Easy Guide on How to Write an Appendix

what is appendix used for 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.

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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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How to Write an APA Appendix

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  • When to Use an Appendix
  • What to Include
  • Basic Rules

If you are writing a psychology paper for a class or for publication, you may be required to include an appendix in APA format. An APA appendix is found at the end of a paper and contains information that supplements the text but that is too unwieldy or distracting to include in the main body of the paper. 

APA format is the official writing style used by the American Psychological Association . This format dictates how academic and professional papers should be structured and formatted. 

Does Your Paper Need an APA Appendix?

Some questions to ask about whether you should put information in the body of the paper or in an appendix:

  • Is the material necessary for the reader to understand the research? If the answer is yes, it should be in your paper and not in an appendix.
  • Would including the information interrupt the flow of the paper? If the answer is yes, then it should likely appear in the appendix.
  • Would the information supplement what already appears in your paper? If yes, then it is a good candidate for including in an appendix.

Your appendix is not meant to become an information dump. While the information in your appendices is supplementary to your paper and research, it should still be useful and relevant. Only include what will help readers gain insight and understanding, not clutter or unnecessary confusion.

What to Include in an APA Appendix

The APA official stylebook suggests that the appendix should include information that would be distracting or inappropriate in the text of the paper.

Some examples of information you might include in an appendix include:

  • Correspondence (if it pertains directly to your research)
  • Demographic details about participants or groups
  • Examples of participant responses
  • Extended or detailed descriptions
  • Lists that are too lengthy to include in the main text
  • Large amounts of raw data
  • Lists of supporting research and articles that are not directly referenced in-text
  • Materials and instruments (if your research relied on special materials or instruments, you might want to include images and further information about how these items work or were used)
  • Questionnaires that were used as part of your research
  • Raw data (presented in an organized, readable format)
  • Research surveys

While the content found in the appendix is too cumbersome to include in the main text of your paper, it should still be easily presented in print format.

The appendices should always act as a supplement to your paper. The body of your paper should be able to stand alone and fully describe your research or your arguments.

The body of your paper should not be dependent upon what is in the appendices. Instead, each appendix should act to supplement what is in the primary text, adding additional (but not essential) information that provides extra insight or information for the reader. 

Basic Rules for an APA Appendix

Here are some basic APA appendix rules to keep in mind when working on your paper:

  • Your paper may have more than one appendix.
  • Each item usually gets its own appendix section.
  • Begin each appendix on a separate page.
  • Each appendix must have a title.
  • Use title case for your title and labels (the first letter of each word should be capitalized, while remaining letters should be lowercase).
  • If your paper only has one appendix, simply title it Appendix. 
  • If you have more than one appendix, each one should be labeled Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, and so on.
  • Put the appendix label centered at the top of the page.
  • On the next line under the appendix label, place the centered title of the appendix. 
  • If you refer to a source in your appendix, include an in-text citation just as you would in the main body of your paper and then include the source in your main reference section.
  • Each appendix may contain headings, subheadings, figures, and tables. 
  • Each figure or table in your appendix should include a brief but explanatory title, which should be italicized. 
  • If you want to reference your appendix within the text of your paper, include a parenthetical note in the text. For example, you would write (See Appendix A).

Formatting an APA Appendix

How do you format an appendix in APA? An APA appendix should follow the overall rules on how to format text. Such rules specify what font and font size you should use, the size of your margins, and the spacing of the text.

Some of the APA format guidelines you need to observe:

  • Use a consistent font, such as 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri
  • Double-space your text
  • All paragraphs should be indented on the first line
  • Page numbering should be continuous with the rest of your paper

The appendix label should appear centered and bolded at the top of the page. A descriptive title should follow and should also be bolded and centered. As with other pages in your paper, your APA format appendix should be left-aligned and double-spaced. Each page should include a page number in the top right corner. You can also have more than one appendix, but each one should begin on a new page.

Data Displays in an APA Appendix

When presenting information in an appendix, use a logical layout for any data displays such as tables or figures. All tables and figures should be labeled with the words “Table” or “Figure” (sans quotation marks) and the letter of the appendix and then numbered.

For example, Table A1 would be the first table in an Appendix A. Data displays should be presented in the appendix following the same order that they first appear in the text of your paper.

In addition to following basic APA formatting rules, you should also check to see if there are additional guidelines you need to follow. Individual instructors or publications may have their own specific requirements.

Where to Include an APA Appendix

If your paper does require an appendix, it should be the very last pages of your finished paper. An APA format paper is usually structured in the following way:

Your paper may not necessarily include all of these sections. At a minimum, however, your paper may consist of a title page, abstract, main text, and reference section. Also, if your paper does not contain tables, figures, or footnotes, then the appendix would follow the references.

Never include an appendix containing information that is not referred to in your text. 

A Word From Verywell

Writing a paper for class or publication requires a great deal of research, but you should pay special attention to your APA formatting. Each section of your paper, including the appendix section, needs to follow the rules and guidelines provided in the American Psychological Association’s stylebook.

American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2020.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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An appendix contains supplementary material that is not an essential part of the text itself but which may be helpful in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem. An appendix may also contain information that is too cumbersome to be included in the body of the paper. A separate appendix should be used for each distinct topic or set of data and always have a title descriptive of its contents [e.g., Appendix 1: Interview Protocol].

Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University.

Importance of...

Appendices are always supplementary to the research paper. As such, your study must be able to stand alone without the appendices, and the paper must contain all information including tables, diagrams, and results necessary to understand the research problem. The key point to remember when including an appendix or appendices is that the information is non-essential to understanding the research problem being investigated. In other words, if it were removed, the reader would still be able to  comprehend the significance, validity , and implications of your research even if that additional data was missing.

It is appropriate to include appendices for the following reasons:

  • Including this material in the body of the paper that would render it poorly structured or interrupt the narrative flow;
  • Information is too lengthy and detailed to be easily summarized in the body of the paper;
  • Inclusion of helpful, supporting, or useful material would otherwise distract the reader from the main content of the paper;
  • Provides relevant information or data that is more easily understood or analyzed in a self-contained section of the paper;
  • Can be used when there are constraints placed on the length of your paper; and,
  • Provides a place to further demonstrate your understanding of the research problem by giving additional details about a new or innovative method, technical details, or design protocols.

Appendices. Academic Skills Office, University of New England; Chapter 12, "Use of Appendices." In Guide to Effective Grant Writing: How to Write a Successful NIH Grant . Otto O. Yang. (New York: Kluwer Academic, 2005), pp. 55-57; Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  General Points to Consider

When considering whether to include content in an appendix, keep in mind the following:

  • It is usually good practice to include your raw data in an appendix, laying it out in a clear format so the reader can re-check your results. Another option if you have a large amount of raw data is to consider placing it online [e.g., on a Google drive] and note that this is the appendix to your research paper.
  • Any tables and figures included in the appendix should be numbered as a separate sequence from the main paper . Remember that appendices contain non-essential information that, if removed, would not diminish a reader's ability to understand the research problem being investigated. This is why non-textual elements should not carry over the sequential numbering of non-textual elements in the body of your paper.
  • If you have more than three appendices, consider listing them on a separate page in the table of contents . This will help the reader know what information is included in the appendices. Note that some works list appendices in the table of contents before the first chapter while other styles list the appendices after the conclusion but before your references. Consult with your professor to confirm if there is a preferred approach.
  • The appendix can be a good place to put maps, photographs, diagrams, and other images , if you feel that it will help the reader to understand the content of your paper, while keeping in mind the study should be understood without them.
  • An appendix should be streamlined and not loaded with a lot information . If you have a very long and complex appendix, it is a good idea to break it down into separate appendices, allowing the reader to find relevant information quickly as the information is covered in the body of the paper.

II.  Content

Never include an appendix that isn’t referred to in the text . All appendices should be summarized in your paper where it is relevant to the content. Appendices should also be arranged sequentially by the order they were first referenced in the text [i.e., Appendix 1 should not refer to text on page eight of your paper and Appendix 2 relate to text on page six].

There are few rules regarding what type of material can be included in an appendix, but here are some common examples:

  • Correspondence -- if your research included collaborations with others or outreach to others, then correspondence in the form of letters, memorandums, or copies of emails from those you interacted with could be included.
  • Interview Transcripts -- in qualitative research, interviewing respondents is often used to gather information. The full transcript from an interview is important so the reader can read the entire dialog between researcher and respondent. The interview protocol [list of questions] should also be included.
  • Non-textual elements -- as noted above, if there are a lot of non-textual items, such as, figures, tables, maps, charts, photographs, drawings, or graphs, think about highlighting examples in the text of the paper but include the remainder in an appendix.
  • Questionnaires or surveys -- this is a common form of data gathering. Always include the survey instrument or questionnaires in an appendix so the reader understands not only the questions asked but the sequence in which they were asked. Include all variations of the instruments as well if different items were sent to different groups [e.g., those given to teachers and those given to administrators] .
  • Raw statistical data – this can include any numerical data that is too lengthy to include in charts or tables in its entirety within the text. This is important because the entire source of data should be included even if you are referring to only certain parts of a chart or table in the text of your paper.
  • Research instruments -- if you used a camera, or a recorder, or some other device to gather information and it is important for the reader to understand how, when, and/or where that device was used.
  • Sample calculations – this can include quantitative research formulas or detailed descriptions of how calculations were used to determine relationships and significance.

NOTE:   Appendices should not be a dumping ground for information. Do not include vague or irrelevant information in an appendix; this additional information will not help the reader’s overall understanding and interpretation of your research and may only distract the reader from understanding the significance of your overall study.

ANOTHER NOTE:   Appendices are intended to provide supplementary information that you have gathered or created; it is not intended to replicate or provide a copy of the work of others. For example, if you need to contrast the techniques of analysis used by other authors with your own method of analysis, summarize that information, and cite to the original work. In this case, a citation to the original work is sufficient enough to lead the reader to where you got the information. You do not need to provide a copy of this in an appendix.

III.  Format

Here are some general guideline on how to format appendices . If needed, consult the writing style guide [e.g., APA, MLS, Chicago] your professor wants you to use for more detail or choose the style you are most familiar with:

  • Appendices may precede or follow your list of references.
  • Each appendix begins on a new page.
  • The order they are presented is dictated by the order they are mentioned in the text of your research paper.
  • The heading should be "Appendix," followed by a letter or number [e.g., "Appendix A" or "Appendix 1"], centered and written in bold type.
  • If there is a table of contents, the appendices must be listed.
  • Depending on the type of information, the content can be presented in landscape format rather than regular portrait format.
  • The page number(s) of the appendix/appendices will continue on with the numbering from the last page of the text.

Appendices. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College;  Appendices. Academic Skills Office, University of New England; Appendices. Writing Center, Walden University; Chapter 12, "Use of Appendices." In Guide to Effective Grant Writing: How to Write a Successful NIH Grant . Otto O. Yang. (New York: Kluwer Academic, 2005), pp. 55-57 ; Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Lunsford, Andrea A. and Robert Connors. The St. Martin's Handbook . New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989; What To Know About The Purpose And Format Of A Research Paper Appendix. LoyolaCollegeCulion.com.

Writing Tip

Consider Putting Your Appendices Online

Appendices are useful because they provide the reader with information that supports your study without breaking up the narrative or distracting from the main purpose of your paper. If you have a lot of raw data or information that is difficult to present in textual form, consider uploading it to an online site. This prevents your paper from having a large and unwieldy set of appendices and it supports a growing movement within academe to make data more freely available for re-analysis. If you do create an online portal to your data, note it prominently in your paper with the correct URL and access procedures if it is a secured site, or if needed, with clear directions on how to contact the author to obtain access.

Piwowar, Heather A., Roger S. Day, and Douglas B. Fridsma. “Sharing Detailed Research Data Is Associated with Increased Citation Rate.” PloS ONE (March 21, 2007); Wicherts, Jelte M., Marjan Bakker, and Dylan Molenaar. “Willingness to Share Research Data Is Related to the Strength of the Evidence and the Quality of Reporting of Statistical Results.” PLoS ONE (November 2, 2011).

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  • Last Updated: Jun 18, 2024 10:45 AM
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Reference management. Clean and simple.

What is an appendix in a paper

what is appendix used for essay

What is an appendix?

What type of information includes an appendix, the format of an appendix, frequently asked questions about appendices in papers, related articles.

An appendix is a section of a paper that features supporting information not included in the main text.

The appendix of a paper consists of supporting information for the research that is not necessary to include in the text. This section provides further insight into the topic of research but happens to be too complex or too broad to add to the body of the paper. A paper can have more than one appendix, as it is recommended to divide them according to topic.

➡️ Read more about  what is a research paper?

An appendix can take many types of forms. Here are some examples:

  • Surveys. Since many researchers base their methodology on surveys, these are commonly found attached as appendices. Surveys must be included exactly as they were presented to the respondents, and exactly how they were answered so the reader can get a real picture of the findings.
  • Interviews . Whether it’s a transcript or a recording, interviews are usually included as an appendix. The list of questions and the real answers must be presented for complete transparency.
  • Correspondence . All types of communication with collaborators regarding the research should be included as an appendix. These can be emails, text messages, letters, transcripts of audio messages, etc.
  • Research tools . Any instrument used to perform the research should be acknowledged in an appendix to give the reader insight into the process. For instance, audio recorders, cameras, special software, etc.
  • Non-textual items . If the research includes too many graphs, tables, figures, illustrations, photos or charts, these should be added as an appendix.
  • Statistical data . When raw data is too long, it should be attached to the research as an appendix. Even if only one part of the data was used, the complete data must be given.

➡️ Learn more about surveys, interviews, and other research methodologies .

The format of an appendix will vary based on the type of citation style you’re using, as well as the guidelines of the journal or class for which the paper is being written. Here are some general appendix formatting rules:

  • Appendices should be divided by topic or by set of data.
  • Appendices are included in the table of contents.

The most common heading for an appendix is Appendix A or 1, centered, in bold, followed by a title describing its content.

  • An appendix should be located before or after the list of references.
  • Each appendix should start on a new page.
  • Each page includes a page number.
  • Appendices follow a sequential order, meaning they appear in the order in which they are referred to throughout the paper.

An appendix is usually added before or after the list of references.

There is no specific space limit to an appendix, but make sure to consult the guidelines of the citation format you are using.

Yes, all appendices must be included in the table of contents.

Appendices feature different types of material, for instance interviews, research tools, surveys, raw statistical data, etc.

h-index illustration for Google Scholar

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Do You Need an Appendix in Your Paper?

Do You Need an Appendix in Your Paper?

  • 2-minute read
  • 25th June 2018

The debate over whether the human appendix does anything useful rages on . Much less controversial are the appendices you’ll find in a dissertation or thesis . These are definitely helpful!

However, not every college paper needs an appendix. And if you do include one, you need to make sure you do it right . Here, then, is our guide to using appendices in academic documents.

Do You Need an Appendix?

You will only need appendices in your paper if you have a lot of extra material that doesn’t fit in the main body of the document.

For instance, if you have conducted a survey , you might want to focus on certain data in the Results section of your paper. You can then pick and choose the key information, with the rest given in an appendix. This should be pointed to in the main text as follows:

The full data shows that political engagement is increasing among those aged 18-24 years (see Appendix A).

Your reader would then know to look in “Appendix A” for the survey results. If you do not mention an appendix in the main body of your paper, however, it probably doesn’t need to be there.

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What to Put in Appendices

But what should go in appendices? The usual candidates include:

  • Raw test data or results
  • Graphs, charts, and tables
  • Maps and illustrations
  • Letters and emails
  • Questionnaires and survey forms
  • Interview transcripts

The most important thing is that you only include non-essential information in appendices. If you rely upon something in your arguments, make sure to include it in the main body of your work.

How to Format Appendices

The correct format for appendices will depend on your school’s requirements, so make sure to check your style guide or ask your professor. As a general guideline, though, you should:

  • Put appendices after the reference list at the end of your document
  • Use a separate appendix for each type of information
  • Clearly label each appendix with a letter or number, plus a title that tells the reader what it contains (e.g., Appendix A: Survey Results )
  • Include all appendices in the table of contents at the start of your document

If you do all of this, you should have a good set of appendices on your hands! For more information about writing a dissertation or thesis, read our full dissertation writing guide .

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How to Use an Appendix

Last Updated: April 1, 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 78,779 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

what is appendix used for 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/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_the_social_sciences/writing_in_psychology_experimental_report_writing/tables_appendices_footnotes_and_endnotes.html
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/footnotes_appendices.html
  • ↑ https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/page_files/3/13_AppendixFormat.pdf

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How to Write an Appendix

By: Max Malak

How to Write an Appendix

  • What is An Appendix?

An appendix is an addendum to a research paper or book that contains supplementary information about the elements within the article or book itself.

What is the Purpose of An Appendix in a Paper?

Does your paper even need an appendix, collect data, title the section, order the data, place the additional sections appropriately, proofread and polish, rules for apa referencing, rules for mla referencing, a bad example to avoid, how do you reference an appendix in the text, should you capitalize the word "appendix", should you cite your appendix in the paper, should the appendix come before or after the references section in your paper, what should i put in an appendix, how do you cite an image in an appendix, how do you include an appendix in an essay.

Appendices are a vital part of adding information to a topic. However, many students have difficulty figuring out what to include in an appendix and what shouldn't. But what is an appendix in writing? A research paper ought to stand independently without the added information in the added section. The information presented in this supplement should add to the report and allow for a more in-depth understanding of the work delivered. Elements like the definition of words or other scientific material are found in this addendum of a written paper or book. This is a succinct demonstration of what is an appendix in a research paper. Have you ever seen a sample of an appendix in a research paper? At the bottom of the page, we include a few samples for your perusal.

What is an appendix in an essay? Essays typically have addendums that give insight into how the paper was crafted. The information within a paper’s additional section is aimed at people who want to know more about the research. Usually, the addendum contains links or references to the source material used to write the paper. In some cases, such as in scientific essays, or discussions with data, the additional part of the paper will have the statistics or a link to find them.

The thought that the supplemental section is where an author should put additional information that they can't find anywhere else in their main text to fit is erroneous. This is not a good approach to have for when to define an appendix in a paper. Instead, the addendum should serve as a tool where supplementary information can be housed. The appendix should not contain vital information crucial to the paper or book. That information is better represented within the body of the paper itself.

An addendum in a paper is an essential part of communicating information to the reader that doesn’t have a place within the main body. The paper appendix sample included at the bottom of the page shows what information is typically included in those sections.

The addendum in a book would significantly differ from one in a research paper. The appendix usually lists citations, definitions, or other documents for further reading in a book. The additional section summarizes the supplementary materials used for research in a research paper. Graphical representations of facts and statistics may also find their way into a research paper's supplement.

Another crucial piece of information, mostly for business professionals, is how to write an appendix in a report . To help report writers, an appendix format example is included at the bottom of the page in several styles, depending on what the writer wishes to use. See the paper appendix example included at the bottom of the page to learn more.

What to Put in An Appendix?

Appendices aren't a dumping ground for extraneous information, even though many people (including published authors) tend to treat them that way. Thus, what to write in the appendix tends to be a question many students ask their lecturers. Unfortunately, there are very few real guidelines about what a particular lecturer wants. However, there are many structured formats for producing these addendums, based on the paper’s reference style.

Proper appendix format, therefore, must follow certain key rules. What to include in an appendix is a pertinent question, regardless of if it’s for a book or a research paper. This supplementary section serves a particular purpose, and to this end, it should present supplementary factual data that help round out the edges of the paper’s central premise and argument.

Among the most common items that should be included when creating an appendix are:

  • Raw Data: Experimental data is a good candidate for inclusion. If the paper deals with a statistical analysis of a survey, the survey data should be included so that others can check your work.
  • Tables and Graphs: Some authors include supporting tables and graphs (not those key to their thesis statement). If doing so, these elements should be labeled independently from those within the text of the paper.
  • Maps, Photographs, or Diagrams: If you have supporting information you would like to reference within the text, these would fit well within the appendix. It's vital to remember that these additions are supplementary. If the paper needs them for the reader to understand something, they're better off included within the text itself.
  • Letters and Correspondence: Collaborations with other authors or research personnel can also be included, allowing readers to get an idea of the work that went into the book or paper.
  • Questionnaires or Survey Forms: If data is collected through these means, including the forms used for this data collection can be useful in helping the reader understand the context of the data.
  • Research Instruments: Specialized research instruments may need to be mentioned, and their operating parameters discussed. Offering an insight into how the data was collected along with potential margins of error can help replicate an experiment to get a similar result.
  • Sample Calculations: These calculations may include a discussion of methods used, including formulae, or detailed descriptions relating the significance of the measurements to the conclusions drawn.
  • Interview Transcripts: If interviews are done, these transcripts should be provided in their original transcripted forms to readers if they would like to go through the interview themselves.

A student should remember that appendices shouldn't be complicated. How to structure an appendix is crucial knowledge to remain within the boundaries of referencing guidelines. They simply present information that will help readers grasp the paper and its focus. If there is too much data to add, consider housing it on google drive and giving a simplified link when making the appendix itself.

A paper or book isn't limited to a single supplementary section either. If there are multiple appendices that you would like to add, you're free to create a supplement within your main document for each one of them. Breaking these appendices into broad categories makes it easier for readers to find the information they're looking for within the paper or book itself. If you have multiple appendices, it's best to arrange them in the order they were mentioned in the text.

A common question many new researchers have is whether their research paper even requires an addendum. To determine whether information should go into the supplementary section or not, an individual should seek to answer the following questions:

  • Is the material you intend to include necessary for a reader to understand what's in the paper? If so, you're better off including it within the body of the text.
  • Would the information included in the supplement interrupt the flow of the paper? If the answer is yes, then it should make up the appendix and be left out of the body of the article.
  • Is the information good background for what's already within your paper? If so, the information is a good candidate.

Appendices complete a paper by offering the reader supplementary information they would not have gotten within the article but allow for the contextualization of the research process. Authors should examine their appendices and see that they meet the minimum requirement for inclusion within the text.

How To Write an Appendix

So, exactly how do you write an appendix? Appendices may be an easier part of a text to complete but writing them does take time. As mentioned above, several different elements may be included in this additional section. Before writing the appendix, the best practice would be to collect and organize all the data to know what you have and what you don't. This helps you figure out how to set up an appendix in a way that makes sense.

Appendices are also referenced throughout the text. If you intend to have more than one supplementary section, you should note when they are mentioned within the text. This gives you an idea of the flow of appendices since they should be created in the order they are referenced within the text.

It’s a good practice to know beforehand how to include an appendix in the text. Ordering the content means making it more approachable and reader-friendly. To this end, an author should try to sectionalize the appendices based on the type of information they have. So, for example, an author should include all collected data in an additional section and save questionnaires and surveys for another one.

Appendices go after the reference list. This arrangement is the accepted standard in a paper or a book. The progression also makes it easier to see where the text for the paper or book ends and the appendices start. The list of references is like a boundary that the reader encounters to break up the main text from the appendices.

Page numbers in the appendix layout should follow the same numbering format as the rest of the manuscript. It's essential to continue the numbering from the text into the extra section so that it feels like part of the book or paper.

Appendices require more than just copying and pasting data or references. An author who wants a polished piece of text needs to spend time on their appendices. Proofreading and fact-checking appendices are time-consuming, but it's necessary to ensure that the paper is complete. You may have to do one or more revisions to clarify the information within the supplementary section. To help with this, one should get someone who is not a researcher to read through the appendices. Having a non-specialist do this gives an author some feedback on what the average individual may see when skimming through the paper’s addendum.

Writing an appendix can be broken down, therefore, into a simple, stepwise checklist:

All the relevant information that the paper or book can use for its supplementary section should be collected and collated. This approach makes it easier to know the order of these addendums and which supplementary information should go where. Content within each additional section may include surveys, questionnaires, interviews, graphs, charts, or raw experimental data, as noted above.

The title of the supplementary section is what you will use to refer to it throughout the text. It's crucial that you use the same title to refer to this section throughout the paper, or else you risk confusing your reader.

The data content should be presented in the order that the reader encounters it within the text. This approach makes for a more readable and approachable supplementary section.

The addendum sections should go after the list of references, allowing the reader a break in the paper.

Rereading the content of the appendix and ensuring that it's formatted properly is a crucial part of preparing it for publication. Depending on the publication guidelines, it may take some time to perfect the location and orientation. Having an independent observer give feedback for this process is ideal.

An appendix is an additional part of a book or scientific paper that should be used to reference the information and data that has no direct bearing on the study but is still helpful to a reader. With this in mind, the supplementary section should be as readable as possible without sacrificing the presentation of the facts.

How To Format an Appendix

How to do an appendix for a research paper? Appendices can be formatted differently depending on the type of reference style you intend to use. However, there are a few standard guidelines for the naming and formatting of an appendix. How to structure an appendix varies depending on the reference format. Each of these additional sections ought to contain:

  • A number (1, 2, etc.) or a letter (A, B, etc.)
  • Page numbers
  • References within the text
  • Links that allow for quick access

It pays to know how to write an appendix for a research paper. While there are several constructions and referencing styles for an appendix section of a research paper, the two most common referencing styles used by authors are APA referencing and MLA referencing. These are used in particular situations and have distinct differences in constructing their appendices.

Typically, APA appendices are used for , such as essays, research papers, , , etc.

MLA papers use MLA appendices for their , papers, theses, dissertations, etc.

Found in sociology, linguistics, psychology, economics, criminology, and social sciences.

Found in language arts, humanities, and other cultural studies.

The APA appendix is widely used in academia, and it's common to see them in published papers. Because of the widespread use of the APA referencing format, many students may have encountered these appendices in books or articles they have perused before. The APA has well-defined guidelines for constructing appendices, and publications are encouraged to follow these.

  • Appendices should be numbered as "Appendix #," where the X can be either a letter or a number. If there is only one extra section, it is simply labeled as "Appendix."
  • References from the text should be of the form "see Appendix #."
  • Each item should go into its own extra section.
  • If the addendum contains a source, the reference should be inserted according to APA style guidelines.
  • Every additional section should begin on its own separate page.
  • The first paragraph should be written without intent.
  • The section’s label and title should be center-aligned and capitalized.
  • The addendum should follow similar style guidelines to the rest of the paper (double spaced, Times New Roman Size 12 font, etc.)

MLA’s appendices are similar to the APA. The 9th edition is currently used for the MLA style guidelines, but some organizations and institutions still use the 8th edition for their referencing (Modern Language Association of America, 2021). A few differences stand out between the MLA and the APA version of constructing the addendum.

  • Appendices should go in order of appearance within the text.
  • Referencing the appendices can be done using the same format as the APA ("see Appendix #"), but one can just as easily use "refer to Appendix #" as well.
  • The labels and titles of each addendum should be clearly defined and readable.
  • In-text citations can be included but should follow the MLA guidelines for citations.
  • Each added section should deal with its own issue. Try not to overlap appendices. If necessary, construct more than one added section to house the supplemental information.
  • The MLA appendix typically goes before the works cited, not after it, as in most appendices.

Appendix Examples

An appendix report format should conform to one or the other major referencing systems currently used in academia. The best way to understand appendix formatting is to see what appendices are supposed to look like.

Added sections can show up in a variety of places, as already mentioned. These examples are a small cross-section of the types of elements that may show up in reports or papers. In general, these additions can span a wide range of supplements. The text mentioned in these examples is one of those supplementary additions. However, there are also other additions such as tables, raw data, and instrumentation details that aren’t covered in these examples.

Here, we have an MLA style example and an APA style sample to examine how they are created and what a student should do to maintain what is expected from these guidelines.

APA Appendix; APA Appendix Example; APA Style

The title is centered and clearly labeled, separating it from the rest of the text within the body. The page numbering continues from the rest of the paper, ensuring that the example appendix doesn't feel like an add-on or extra. The information contained within this added section (a collection of terms that the reader might find helpful to know) is supplementary. The paper or book itself doesn't require the reader to understand these terms, but the reader may be encouraged to learn more by reading the definitions mentioned. This is an excellent example of how to structure an appendix and the information it should contain. It's also a good representation of how to make an appendix for a paper in APA style.

MLA Appendix; MLA Appendix Example; MLA Style

Above is an example of an appendix in a research paper. The appendix page example title is clearly visible and stylistically unique compared to the rest of the text on the page, in keeping with MLA standards. The appendix example collates all the information that pertains to the title into a single reference, making it easy for a reader to flip through the references as they like.

The appendix writing example also does not contain any core information that the paper requires, but these supplementary data sources can help the reader contextualize the data presented. The additional section is appropriately numbered, showing that it's part of the paper, adding to the sense of the paper's completeness. This is a great example of how to write an appendix for a paper in MLA format.

Appendix in the research paper; Appendix Example; APA appendix page format

The above is a sample of the appendix in the research paper. While having the distinctive labeling for the title, this APA appendix page format shows a glaring error. Whether through notable inclusion or automatic numbering, there are two sets of numbers, making the referencing questionable. Additionally, the appendix page sample tries to incorporate several different and distinct types of information within a single addendum, leading to possible confusion from the reader. The literature review forms a core part of the research in many engineering papers and is included as part of the manuscript, not as a supplement. Ideally, students should avoid including appendices that look like this in their research papers or publications. This picture is not a good appendix writing example.

These examples only cover text addendums. A student may want to know how to make an appendix for pictures, for example. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to source an appendix picture example. These addendums typically follow a similar methodology to text appendices. However, the appendix essay example we present would fall into a different format to one with pictures and maps.

An example of an appendix in a report would follow much of these same guidelines. An appendix sample in a project report typically houses tables and statistics that are pertinent to the report but isn’t directly referenced. Typically, the appendix meaning in a report relies on the data provided within the main document.

Frequently Asked Questions:

An author can use "see Appendix #" as a general reference for their appendices. If the author uses MLA referencing, "refer to Appendix #" is also acceptable. Referencing the appendices helps the reader see the link between the main text and the addendums.

When referring to the additional section in question, the word should be capitalized as it relates to the title of a section of the paper. Thus, the reference for these addendums should be capitalized as it refers to the title of the added section.

Appendices are meant to be referred to. Depending on your referencing type, your citation may differ. While some publications don’t reference their appendices, it’s good practice to ensure that they have links within the document.

The APA guidelines and standard rule-of-thumb suggest that the added section comes after the references. However, the MLA guidelines state that they should come before the works cited section. The location will depend on what type of referencing you are using for your paper.

Your added section should include additional and supplementary information not crucial to understanding the paper, such as survey forms, questionnaires, raw data, interviews, etc. These will differ from paper to paper, but the appendices should always be additional information that isn’t strictly necessary to understand the content of the paper.

When citing an image in your added sections, it should have a clearly numbered reference, e.g., “Figure X,” where X is the number of the figure in order of appearance. On the line beneath the image number, the author should include a short descriptive title, giving background on the image. A note can be included beneath the figure if necessary.

Essay appendices follow the same format as appendices in research papers and books. Just like in these other academic works, the addendum should come after the main work and contain information that is supplemental to the written essay but not necessary for the essay to be understood by a reader.

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The article is very explanatory and includes professional advice. I only read this as a guide on how to format an appendix. I learned so much about making a list and being careful with the length of each sentence. I'll just bookmark this just in case I forget anything😊.

This blog post exudes clarity! Especially in the area of having to number the appendix pages, I have been struggling with it for a while, but with the info this post has provided, I can be bold about coming up with one now. I can even make notes about how to write one myself!

This article was shared on our group chat by a classmate. I'm really glad they did. An important criterion for an assignment was to ensure we point out every resource used and at least make mention of the author of each book. Well, after reading this, my footnotes will never stay the same.

In summary, this blog post has all the relevant info regarding how to write a good appendix. All the paragraphs have an idea passed across to the reader; they paint perfect images of what appendix pages should look like.

Well, this was really helpful. I'm presently sorting out my project work for a science course, and my teacher kept talking about appendix matching the page number and something related to extra information. I was honestly confused. Now, I know how to make the appendix pages properly. Guess who has appendix b and appendix c? Yup! Me 😅.

what is appendix used for essay

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How do I do an APPENDIX in APA style?

How do I create an APPENDIX in APA style?

What is an appendix?

  • A section at the end of a paper that includes information that is too detailed for the text of the paper itself and would "burden the reader" or be "distracting," or "inappropriate" (APA, 2019, p. 41-42).
  • lengthy lists (short lists belong in the paper itself)
  • detailed descriptions (essential details should be in the paper itself)
  • instructions to participants; tests, scales, inventories
  • demographic details for subpopulations studied by the paper

Where does the Appendix appear in the paper?

  • text of paper
  • references list
  • tables 

How to format an appendix:

  • You may have more than one appendix (aka appendices)
  • Each appendix should deal with a separate topic
  • In addition to the limitations of email, Cummings et al. (2002) reviewed studies that focused on international bank employees and college students (see Appendix B for demographic information).
  • The first appendix referred to in the paper would be named Appendix A
  • The second appendix referred to in the paper would be named Appendix B
  • If you have more than 26 appendices, start the alphabet over with AA, BB, CC, and so on.
  • If there is only one appendix, it is just called Appendix
  • Each appendix must also have a title
  • Begin each appendix on a separate page with page number
  • Place the label and title of each appendix at the top of the page, centered, bold, using normal capitalization. Label first, title second.
  • The first paragraph is flush left and not indented.
  • The second and following paragraphs are indented as "normal" paragraphs are.
  • All paragraphs are double spaced.
  • Exception to the tables/figures numbering rule: add the letter of the appendix (A, B, C, etc.) to the figure or table number (e.g., Table B3 would be the third table in Appendix B).
  • If your appendices use information from an outside source, cite it parenthetically within the text of the appendix and include the reference in the main references list for the paper (do not create a separate references list).

A sample appendix is below.

  • Abstracts & Appendices
  • Last Updated Jul 06, 2020
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  • Answered By Kerry Louvier

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Comments (40)

  • Not only did this answer my question, it answered several questions I hadn't even considered yet. Excellent resource! by Magnus on Nov 23, 2016
  • Great resource to use, very helpful info. Thank you for the visual example. by Anonymous on Dec 15, 2016
  • Extraordinarily helpful by Ashna on Feb 27, 2017
  • This information was very helpful! The instructions and example provided clarity. by Student on Mar 06, 2017
  • What about page numbering? Is it continuous or does it restart at the beginning of the appendix section or does each appendix have its own page numbering (e.g. A1, A2, B1, B2...)? Sara, Librarian Answer: Page numbering is continuous, it does not restart at the appendix section. by Brent on Apr 21, 2017
  • Does APA style require a whole section page for appendices? As in, a page with APPENDIX (or APPENDICES) written in the middle of the page before the actual appendices themselves? Sara, Librarian Answer: No. A page like that is unnecessary. by Sara on Apr 28, 2017
  • When I have an assignment limiting to a particular number of pages (lets say 6 pages), do the appendix pages count as one of those six pages? Sara, Librarian Answer: Typically the appendix pages do not count as part of the paper. However, we suggest that you check with your instructor to make sure that's their expectation. by Katie on May 03, 2017
  • Hello If I add tables or/and figures to my appendix. Do I have to make a new page for every new table/figure or am I allowed to just leave a line and then begin with the new table/figure? Sara, Librarian Answer: You can have as many figures and/or tables in one single appendix as makes sense. Each figure/table should still be formatted in APA and include a caption. by Kerstin on May 09, 2017
  • If I have multiple pages to a report that I'd like to include in one appendix (they are all part of the same report), do I continue to title each page Appendix A? Sara, Librarian Reply: No. You only need to title the first page of each different appendix. by Allison on Jun 06, 2017
  • Thank you for this exceedingly abundantly helpful resource. Janie Richter by Jane Richter on Jun 23, 2017
  • How are appendices displayed in the ToC? Since the title is on a separate line my template is only showing "Appendix" but I'm wondering if it should show "Appendix - Title." Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Brad, different colleges and universities, departments and individual instructors have their own preferences for the format of the title page, table of contents, and other items that are particular to academic papers, so the APA manual doesn’t cover these formats. Since your instructor is responsible for the curriculum and grading rubrics, check with them to find out how they would like your appendix titles to appear in the table of contents. by Brad on Jul 29, 2017
  • I'm required to transcript an interview and add it to my paper. My first question is, do I add this interview as an appendix? If so, how do I do this considering the parameters of the APA style? Thank you in advance! Sara, Librarian Reply: You can add an interview transcript as an appendix. We highly recommend you talk to your instructor about how they want the transcript formatted and added to your paper. If your instructor doesn't have any specific parameters for formatting in the appendix, we recommend sticking to standard APA formatting style: 12pt, Times New Roman font, double spaced, and 1 inch margins. by dcrada on Aug 01, 2017
  • Hi, I was just wondering what you name your appendix if you have more than 26 and have run out of alphabet letters? Sara, Librarian Reply: If you run through the alphabet and still have additionally appendices, then we recommend you start over again with Appendix AA, BB, CC, and so on. by F on Aug 31, 2017
  • This is great! Much easier and quicker to read and grasp than the APA style guide. by Lily on Sep 03, 2017
  • How do I provide in text reference to a table which appears in my appendix? I know I have to refer to the table by table number but how do I say which page it is on in the appendices? Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Robin, you would do an in-text reference like you would for any other source: (Appendix B, Figure 1). See the APA Style Blog for more information about citing parts of a work: http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2013/11/how-to-cite-part-of-a-work.html by Robin on Oct 30, 2017
  • How would you reference a figure from an appendix in-text? (see Fig. 4) or (see Appendix B, Fig.4 for more information). Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi TJ, we recommend that you include which appendix you are referencing in-text. So the example you would use is (Appendix B, Figure 4). Please see the APA Style Blog if you need any additional clarification http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2013/11/how-to-cite-part-of-a-work.html by Me on Oct 31, 2017
  • Do I need to reference an appendix each time it comes up in the document or just the first time it is referenced? Sara, Librarian Reply: Just as you would with an in-text citation, every time you mention an appendix make sure you reference it. by Linda G on Nov 05, 2017
  • If the appendix is a survey or other pre-formatted document, what are the requirements for spacing of the body? Does it still need to be double spaced? Sara, Librarian Reply: Different colleges and universities, departments and individual instructors have their own preferences for the formatting of documents added as appendices. We highly recommend that you talk with your instructor/advisor about if they want your document reformatted to be double spaced. by Deborah on Dec 21, 2017
  • Nice work helped me alot by Leo Rice on Mar 04, 2018
  • How would I go about citing information that I used to create a figure within my appendix? Do I need to cite in the appendix where I obtained the information that I used in the graphs/tables? Sara, Librarian Reply: Do an in-text citation in your appendix (just like you would in the body of your paper) for the information you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing. Then add the full reference/citation information to the main references list for your paper. by Nikki on Mar 13, 2018
  • Hi, can you clarify how I refer to tables in an appendix in APA 6th? Do I need to write (see Table 1 in Appendix A) or is it (see Table A1) or is there another way? thank you. Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Bill, to refer to the Appendix within your text, write (see Appendix A) at the end of the sentence in parentheses. If you are referring to a table, you would then write (see Appendix A, Table 1). I hope that helps clarify things for you! by Bill on Mar 14, 2018
  • I adapted a figure from an image I found in the 2nd page of a paper Appendix. In the caption of figure, should I write ,Appendices, instead of the page number which is not available? Thank you in advance. Sara, Librarian Reply: Yes, in the caption you should write which appendix you got the figure from. by Souha on Mar 14, 2018
  • Excellent and detailed explanation. Very helpful... by Murox Tobby on Mar 20, 2018
  • Thank you this was so helpful by angie on Mar 25, 2018
  • My paper includes a long part with a lot of different events and dates. Therefore, I want to summarize each event and attach it as a table in the Appendix. Do I have to add citations in this table, although I already included all citations in the text and the table does solely contain information from my main text? Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Jake. Yes, if your appendix includes tables or figures, treat them as they would be treated in the main text and add the citations. by Jake on Apr 26, 2018
  • If a text in my paper refers to the Appendix more than once in my text, should I reference the Appendix each time? Sara, Librarian Reply: Yes. As with citing, so with referencing your appendices: always cite/reference your source. by Adrian on Apr 30, 2018
  • Hello :) If I have a few pages from a manual I used for my dissertation, and I want to place them in the appendix, how do I do so? Because if I insert them normally, the plagiarism detection software will detect them as copied, I presume. Thanks! Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Martina, is there a reason you want to put them in an appendix instead of just citing the section of the source in your dissertation? Do the pages themselves add something to your paper that justifies the duplication? If you still want to add those pages to your appendix, then add them normally. You should also ask your faculty advisor for their opinion or reference your institution's formatting guide. by Martina on May 01, 2018
  • Thank you so much for this! The visual representation was very helpful, particularly because the APA Guide was very hard to interpret in respect to the Appendices. I would've put the label and name down incorrectly in my thesis if it wasn't for this! by Maddy on Oct 27, 2018
  • Great work! Your presentation helps me a lot, including the questions and answers portion! by Belen,php on Nov 23, 2018
  • Does the appendix include a page number and a header? Sara, Librarian reply: Yes. The appendix should include a page number and a header. by Alyssa on Feb 03, 2019
  • I am trying to cite the appendix of my e-book for my paper. How do I do that? by Shashi on Mar 21, 2019
  • Very helpful. Well detailed and on point. Thank you so much by Peter Wanyangi on Apr 02, 2019
  • Thank you for this reference. The example helped solidify my questions about how to effectively use and appendix. Great! by A on May 07, 2019
  • A very useful and highly relevant information. Thank you all. by Dr Sam V Daniel on Sep 23, 2019
  • Excellent, nicely presented and comprehensive. Loved going through it. by Anoop Tiwari on Oct 28, 2019
  • Excellent explanation, love it, fully helped and thanks a lot. by Godwine Okoth on Jan 22, 2020
  • This was exceedingly helpful,thanks a lot by Favour Anne on Mar 18, 2020
  • This resource is so incredibly helpful - thank you by Jennifer on Jun 06, 2021
  • This is a very useful explanation. It has answered more than one question.Highly relevant information. by Carol Nelson on Nov 14, 2022
  • This is a great reference. thank you! by Carlos on Apr 28, 2023

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what is appendix used for essay

How to Write an Appendix for your Essay

(Last updated: 13 October 2023)

Since 2006, Oxbridge Essays has been the UK’s leading paid essay-writing and dissertation service

We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.

An appendix is an essential part of any academic essay, serving as a repository for supplementary material that supports your arguments but may be too detailed or tangential to include in the main body of the text.

Whether you're looking to append data sets, charts, images, or additional information that may not fit neatly within your essay, creating an effective appendix is crucial for presenting a comprehensive and well-rounded argument. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the process of writing an appendix for your essay.

What to Include in an Appendix:

The contents of an appendix can vary, but typically it includes any material that expands on or supports the information presented in your essay. This can include:

- Raw data and statistical analyses - Graphs, charts, and tables - Images, photographs, or diagrams - Transcripts of interviews or surveys - Additional sources or references - Supplementary literature reviews

The key is to ensure that the material included in the appendix is relevant to your essay and serves to enhance your reader's understanding of your arguments.

How to Format an Appendix:

When it comes to formatting an appendix, there are a few key guidelines to follow:

- Appendices should be placed at the end of your essay, after the references or bibliography. - Each appendix should be labelled with a letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) and have a descriptive title. - If you have more than one appendix, make sure to label each one accordingly and include a table of contents at the beginning of your appendices section. - Each appendix should begin on a new page. - Reference the appendix within the main body of your essay when necessary. For example, you can write "See Appendix A for the full survey results."

Including Citations:

If you include information from other sources in your appendix, you must properly cite these sources. Follow the same citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) that you used in the main body of your essay.

Mastering Your Essay Writing

An appendix can be a valuable addition to your essay, providing supplementary material that enhances your reader's understanding of your arguments. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can ensure that your appendix is formatted correctly and includes relevant and useful information.

Struggling with your essay writing? Our team of experienced academics is here to provide you with the support you need. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help you achieve academic success.

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1. Researching, Writing and Presenting Information - A How To Guide: How to use Appendices

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What are Appendices and how should they be used?

For some tasks, you may be asked to include parts of your work in an a ppendix or appendices (plural).

Usually an appendix is used to include extra information or research that is useful but too detailed and not necessary to include within the report, but that you would like to include at the end of the report to show the marker that you have completed it.

Examples - This might include interview or survey results, detailed technical drawings, or tables of data collected.

Sometimes an appendix may be used for ESSENTIAL tables and figures which are too large to fit into the text of an essay/report.

The conventions for appendices are as follows:

  • each appendix must be labelled with a number (or letter) and title e.g. Appendix A : Cross Sectional Data Set
  • there should be a page break between Appendix A, B etc. 
  • the appendix numbers and titles must be listed on the Contents page of your report under the heading Appendices (if more than one) or Appendix (if only one)
  • The content should be summarised and each appendix must be referred to by number (or letter) at the relevant point within the report e.g.  " Survey results indicated that most respondents aged 14 - 16 had worked casually or would like to work casually in the near future (see Appendix D)"   This prompts the marker to look at Appendix D for a detailed presentation of these survey results either in the form of a graph or a table. 

How to create an appendix

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Citations - MLA: Formatting - Essay, Works Cited, Appendix, & Sample Paper

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  • Diane Hacker MLA Sample Paper

If you are adding an appendix to your paper there are a few rules to follow that comply with MLA guidelines:

  • The Appendix appears  before  the Works Cited list
  • If you have more than one appendix you would name the first appendix Appendix A, the second Appendix B, etc.
  • The appendices should appear in the order that the information is mentioned in your essay
  • Each appendix begins on a new page
  • MLA Sample Paper - with Appendix (Purdue OWL example) Note that while this example shows the correct way to format your Appendix, the individual MLA citations are incorrect as they are formatted according to the 7th (not 8th) edition of MLA.

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  • Type using a  word processing  program such as  Microsoft Word
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M LA Works Cited Page: Basic Format ​

  • Begin your Works Cited page on a  separate page at the end of your research paper.  It should have the same one-inch margins and last name, page number header as the rest of your paper.
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  • Indent the second and subsequent lines of citations by 0.5 inches to create a  hanging indent .
  • If you refer to a journal article that appeared on pages 225 through 250, list them as  225-50.  
  • The  URL  should be used by  deleting http:// or https:// .
  • Accessed date is optional.

Abbreviations Commonly Used

Placeholders for unknown information like n.d. (“no date”) are no longer used. If facts missing from a work are available in a reliable external resource, they are cited in square brackets (2.6.1). Otherwise, they are simply omitted.

Visit the MLA Style Center for more information:  MLA Style Center

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American Psychological Association

Reference Examples

More than 100 reference examples and their corresponding in-text citations are presented in the seventh edition Publication Manual . Examples of the most common works that writers cite are provided on this page; additional examples are available in the Publication Manual .

To find the reference example you need, first select a category (e.g., periodicals) and then choose the appropriate type of work (e.g., journal article ) and follow the relevant example.

When selecting a category, use the webpages and websites category only when a work does not fit better within another category. For example, a report from a government website would use the reports category, whereas a page on a government website that is not a report or other work would use the webpages and websites category.

Also note that print and electronic references are largely the same. For example, to cite both print books and ebooks, use the books and reference works category and then choose the appropriate type of work (i.e., book ) and follow the relevant example (e.g., whole authored book ).

Examples on these pages illustrate the details of reference formats. We make every attempt to show examples that are in keeping with APA Style’s guiding principles of inclusivity and bias-free language. These examples are presented out of context only to demonstrate formatting issues (e.g., which elements to italicize, where punctuation is needed, placement of parentheses). References, including these examples, are not inherently endorsements for the ideas or content of the works themselves. An author may cite a work to support a statement or an idea, to critique that work, or for many other reasons. For more examples, see our sample papers .

Reference examples are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Chapter 10 and the Concise Guide Chapter 10

Related handouts

  • Common Reference Examples Guide (PDF, 147KB)
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Textual Works

Textual works are covered in Sections 10.1–10.8 of the Publication Manual . The most common categories and examples are presented here. For the reviews of other works category, see Section 10.7.

  • Journal Article References
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Data and Assessments

Data sets are covered in Section 10.9 of the Publication Manual . For the software and tests categories, see Sections 10.10 and 10.11.

  • Data Set References
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Audiovisual Media

Audiovisual media are covered in Sections 10.12–10.14 of the Publication Manual . The most common examples are presented together here. In the manual, these examples and more are separated into categories for audiovisual, audio, and visual media.

  • Artwork References
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Online Media

Online media are covered in Sections 10.15 and 10.16 of the Publication Manual . Please note that blog posts are part of the periodicals category.

  • Facebook References
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  • LinkedIn References
  • Online Forum (e.g., Reddit) References
  • TikTok References
  • X References
  • Webpage on a Website References
  • Clinical Practice References
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  • Whole Website References

The Price of Perky Boobs

By Beatrice Hazlehurst

A close up image of a naked stomach and bottom of the breasts

“Look at my boobs and tell me what you think.”

I’m a 20-year-old retail assistant, beseeching an older colleague and close friend, to evaluate my bare breasts in the backroom after hours. Unbuckling my bra, I stand before her, totally exposed. “What are you talking about?” She responds. “They’re fine!” After years of self-critiquing, I wasn’t convinced.

While the perceived ‘perfect’ size of breasts have fluctuated with time, breasts have always been beholden to one immovable standard: perky. Those with breasts that align with this archetype may consider their boobs a source of #freethenipple empowerment. Other women feel a kind of wearied distaste for their tatas; forgoing a bra is inconceivable, and god forbid they go on top. Some have embraced a kind of ‘it-is-what-it-is’ booby ambivalence.

I spent several college summers fitting bras at a contemporary lingerie chain—measuring breasts, buckling brassieres and at times, literally lifting flesh into cups—so I have met all these women. I have been them, too. When the pandemic found me in my mid-20s – prompting a massive lifestyle shift and a discovery of disordered eating. I’d moved to the west coast and, without daily walking around New York City, took up running and downloaded Noom, a calorie counter app that promptly capped my daily intake at 1200 calories. (Editor’s note: Research has shown that calorie tracking, including with apps, may contribute to eating disorders.) Within three months, my breasts descended four bra sizes, taking my nipples with them. With that, my boobs entered their new, deflated era, and for the first time, I felt incentivized to confront the issue.

I was not the only one to recently research breast lifts —the number of people searching for them peaked during summer 2021, and has continued to spike each summer since, according to Google Trends. It’s coincided with the arrival of Ozempic , forcing women—and myself—into the same societally-constructed conundrum. Weight loss? We like it. Small, saggy breasts caused by weight loss? Unacceptable. From 2019 to 2023, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says there was a 30 percent increase in requests for breast lifts (mastopexies)—placing the procedure in direct competition with its more popular sister: implants. “I want my titties pinned back to my shoulders, right where they used to be,” Rihanna revealed in last month’s issue of Interview . “I don’t want implants. I just want a lift.”

New York-based board-certified plastic surgeon Norman Rowe has made his name on the Upper East Side and beyond as a breast expert. In the past year, his requests for lifts have almost tripled—an exponential increase that he says is a result of rampant semaglutide use."

“I get a lot of women who've lost a substantial amount of weight, especially with Ozempic ,” he says. “The more weight someone loses—and the quicker they lose it—the more impact that has on the skin. Body procedures are just going through the roof, 30 percent of our business is now dedicated to face, breast and back lifts.”

When I first consulted with Dr. Rowe for a breast lift , he sketched the anchor-like incision required. He would cut around the areola, down the center of the breast, removing excess skin and raising the nipple so it no longer faces down. This would not create cleavage or add fullness. For that, he emphasized, you need an implant.

“A lift will take care of the sag in the skin, it will take care of the position of the nipple, but it will not address the volume loss of the upper poles of cleavage,” he says. (“Upper poles” is how plastic surgeons refer to the breast tissue above the nipple.) Patients often come in without realizing the limitation of a breast lift, says Dr. Rowe. “There is a misconception among patients of what a lift is. So I figured out the way to ask if they wanted an augmentation or a lift was, ‘Do you want cleavage ?’ Either you want to get bigger and your cleavage to change, or you want to be the same size but get rid of the droopiness.”

I fit into the latter group, or so I thought. Anyone who remembers the 90s will also remember that buxom beauties were not only abundant but considered femininity made manifest. Even if you joined in on the bimbo jokes that shamed the cosmetically enhanced likes of Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, their perfectly rounded, perky breasts were still taped to the bedroom walls of your school crush. Anything less than a squeeze-worthy palmful, anything that succumbed to gravity, would be passed over by Playboy editors—relegated instead to the readership of National Geographic.

In the weeks leading up to my surgery, I would debate the pros and cons of implants over and over again. Like Dr. Rowe, I was struggling to understand my expectations. Due to their generally higher placement, my nipples would be raised only an inch. With the removal of skin, my 34D boobs would likely decrease by a half or a whole cup size. Was it worth going through all of this, just for slightly smaller tits with slightly higher nipples? Would I be satisfied with, well, a slight difference?

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This was also plaguing Dr. Rowe, who responded to my initial consultation with multiple surgical plans. “One of the key things that I try to ascertain when I'm examining a patient: what are their true expectations and, more importantly, are they realistic for the patient?”

When Dr. Rowe first opened his private practice in 2004, he was routinely implanting 500 and 600cc implants—for reference, one cup size is around 250cc. With larger implants dropping faster, creating sagging, he says women have trended smaller in the last five years. Fat transfer enhancements, popular among those seeking natural-looking breasts, can calcify into hard lumps and be mistaken for cancer during mammography—resulting in additional surgery. The complications and shelf lives associated with implants have also become more well-known : follow-up implant removal or replacement surgeries after 10 years or sooner, and ruptured implants need to be replaced in up to 17.7% percent of patients after 6 or 10 years (the rupture rate after revision augmentation is between 2.9% and 14.7%). Breast implant illness is a controversial topic—it’s a term patients came up with, rather than a medical diagnosis; there’s a lack of data on the topic; and no real agreement about what the symptoms are, though patients tend to name hard-to-track ones, like fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, rash, memory loss—but the FDA and many doctors agree there’s still much to learn, Grant Stevens, the president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and a clinical professor of plastic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, previously told to Allure .

Still, the promise of built-in cleavage was tempting. I wanted to go braless without insecurity. Wear plunging dresses without experimenting with endless sticky cutlets. I didn’t want to tug up my breasts in tight tops. At the same time, I didn’t want to go bigger, and I didn’t want to possibly undergo multiple surgeries on my breasts as I aged. My heart just wasn’t in the implants.

“Whereas I used to do a lot of breast implant mastopexies—where you put in the implants at the same time—today, I'm probably doing a larger number of mastopexies [breast lifts] alone,” he says.

Post-consultation, the options Dr. Rowe offered me were a mastopexy with a small implant or a mastopexy with an internal bra. The internal bra is a lesser-known procedure that originated in the ‘80s, reaching wider awareness more recently, Rowe says, with the help of a rebrand and big marketing push . Originally, the internal bra was a kind of cone shape (picture Madonna) created from a Gore-tex mesh. Over time, there were claims the mesh may have been obscuring mammography, and insurance companies began rejecting claims for mammograms if the patient had an internal bra. That’s where Galaflex came in. A new internal bra material first implemented around 2016, it’s best described as an absorbable mesh sewn into the chest wall.

“Think of it as a hammock,” says Dr. Rowe. “It goes underneath the implant [around existing breast tissue] and keeps it from descending over time. You don't need a full cone because you’re not pulling anything up—but you are protecting the implant from moving down after two years. You have your own sling.”

A lot of breast surgeries rely on skin to hold up an implant or (in the case of a lift-only) breast tissue, Dr. Rowe explained to me, but skin is not capable of bearing weight. Someone who has skin that has been stretched from rapid weight loss is a perfect candidate for an internal bra because that stretching of the skin weakens the layer of collagen that’s usually a built-in structure to prevent descent. But after Galaflex dissolves, in about 1-2 years, “it gets replaced by collagen — which would not have been there otherwise,” says Dr. Rowe, an assessment validated by studies published in the journals Aesthetic Surgery ( in 2022 and 2016) and Plastic and Aesthetic Research . “While the internal bra itself is gone, its impact remains.”

This was enough to convince me to get an internal bra, which ran an additional $3,000 ($1500 per breast) on top of the $4000 cost of the lift. While I was assured the results of an internal bra are not permanent—Dr. Rowe said I could expect them to last for at least 10 years—it does make it less likely for the breasts to droop over time. And an internal bra is less likely to interfere with breastfeeding—something that may or may not be in my future—than an implant.

My surgery took around an hour and a half. I was in the clinic by 7:30am, put under general anesthesia, and awake around 11:30am. During the procedure, Dr. Rowe removed excess skin and sewed the gauze to my ribcage, reshaping the remaining skin and tissue to lift my breasts and nipples while reducing the size of my areolas. I was back to my hotel room in a surgical bra by noon. Recovery requires you to wear a surgical bra, day and night, for at least a month — eventually downgrading to a sports bra until around six weeks. A surgical bra is a wireless bralette that closes at the front (so you don’t have to stretch your arms back), and feels very lightweight but also extremely tight. The compression helps with the swelling but also keeps the breasts in their proper place as they heal. I was unable to sleep on my side for around 10 days, and there’s no lifting more than 10 pounds, or working out other than walking, for three weeks. Following that, scar tape or gel on the sutured areas (around the areola, down and under the breast) is an everyday essential for a year.

Image may contain Person Skin Body Part and Shoulder

This dress was impossible for me to wear without a bra before, now they sit perfectly without any support.

The first several days require heavy reliance on another person. For the first 48 hours, my boyfriend lifted and lowered me into bed, dressed me, and brushed my hair and teeth because I couldn’t raise my arms. I was encouraged to walk the next day, and allowed to fly or drive if necessary on the second (I’d traveled to New York City for the surgery, and had booked my flight back home two days later). I had full mobility again by day three or four, but the discomfort should also not be underestimated—specifically with the internal bra. I felt a constant pang and tugging pain on my ribcage that affected even the most basic activities (like lifting groceries or shaving my legs) for the first several weeks.

For the first 24 hours, I was in so much pain that I cried all the way through my post-op appointment the next morning. In the first 24 hours, I was taking a low-dose prescription opiate by itself, which wasn’t enough pain medication, so Dr. Rowe recommended I take it in conjunction with Extra Strength Tylenol. (He compared Tylenol to the main meal, while Oxycodone and Tramadol were a kind of ‘chaser’—supplementing the OTC medication should I need something stronger.) Through my tears, I revealed my new, bruised breasts to Dr. Rowe. Upon inspecting his work, the surgeon concluded he was “very happy” with the results.

“You're trying to make their soul better,” he explains of cosmetic surgery. “While I'm not taking out their appendix, when a patient sees themselves as having a flaw–rightfully so or not–you're trying to correct it. And sometimes to them, it's life and death. Honestly, down deep, I'm a fixer. Seeing a problem and getting a solution, a good solution, it's gratifying.”

I didn’t look at my breasts for the first week—a mostly unconscious choice. For as long as I remember, I have avoided looking at my breasts entirely. Even before my weight loss changed their appearance significantly I always felt unsatisfied with them on a bad day, or ambivalent at best. Eight days after surgery, I unzipped my surgical bra and inspected the result for the first time. Dr. Rowe had reduced the size of my areolas, raised the nipples, and rounded my breasts into two symmetrical mounds. The anchor-shaped incision was sutured with almost invisible stitches. I was looking at boobs I had only seen on screen, or on my most genetically-blessed friends.

I turn away from the mirror. The change might seem slight to some, but to me, mastopexy had made a world of difference. “Tell me what you think,” I say to my boyfriend. “They’re perfect,” he responds. This time, I believed the beholder.

To read more about plastic surgery:

  • Breast Lifts Are on the Way Up
  • 13 People Get Real About Their Facelifts
  • I’m 96 and I’ve Had 3 Facelifts — Here’s What I Learned

Now watch Brooke Shields' 10 Minute Beauty Routine:

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DISGOMOJI Malware Used to Target Indian Government

June 13, 2024

by Volexity Threat Research

Volexity-Blog-DISGOMOJI-Malware-Used-to-Target-Indian-Government.png

Note: Volexity has reported the activity described in this blog and details of the impacted systems to CERT at the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in India.

In 2024, Volexity identified a cyber-espionage campaign undertaken by a suspected Pakistan-based threat actor that Volexity currently tracks under the alias UTA0137. The malware used in these recent campaigns, which Volexity tracks as DISGOMOJI, is written in Golang and compiled for Linux systems. Volexity assesses with high confidence that UTA0137 has espionage-related objectives and a remit to target government entities in India. Based on Volexity’s analysis, UTA0137’s campaigns appear to have been successful.

DISGOMOJI appears to be exclusively used by UTA0137. It is a modified version of the public project discord-c2 , which uses the messaging service Discord for command and control (C2), making use of emojis for its C2 communication. The use of Linux malware for initial access paired with decoy documents (suggesting a phishing context) is uncommon, as the attacker would only do this if they know the target is a Linux desktop user. Volexity assesses it is highly likely this campaign, and the malware used, is targeted specifically towards government entities in India, who use a custom Linux distribution named BOSS as their daily desktop. The DISGOMOJI malware was referenced in a May 2024 blog post by Blackberry.

During its investigation, Volexity also uncovered UTA0137’s use of the DirtyPipe (CVE-2022-0847) privilege escalation exploit against “BOSS 9” systems which, after analysis, Volexity determined are still vulnerable to this years-old exploit.

This blog post includes analysis of the DISGOMOJI malware; details of attacker tradecraft, including the UTA0137’s use of third-party storage services used to exfiltrate data; Linux persistence techniques; and open-source tools used after successful infection.

Volexity’s analysis started with a UPX-packed ELF 1 written in Golang that was delivered within a ZIP file. This ELF downloads a benign lure file, DSOP.pdf , that is displayed to the victim; DSOP is the acronym for India’s Defence Service Officer Provident Fund. A portion of the PDF is shown below:

what is appendix used for essay

The malware then downloads the next-stage payload, named vmcoreinfo , from a remote server, clawsindia[.]in . This payload is an instance of the DISGOMOJI malware. It is dropped in a hidden folder named .x86_64-linux-gnu in the user’s home directory.

DISGOMOJI, also a UPX-packed ELF 2 written in Golang, uses Discord for C2. It is a custom fork of discord-c2 . An authentication token and server ID are hardcoded inside the ELF, which are used to access the Discord server. The malware creates a dedicated channel for itself in the Discord server, meaning each channel in the server represents an individual victim. The attacker can then interact with every victim individually using these channels. The channel name format is sess-%s-%s , where the first %s value is the operating system of the infected machine, and the second %s is formatted using the victim’s username.

On startup, DISGOMOJI sends a check-in message in the channel. This message contains the following information about the victim:

  • Internal IP
  • Operating system
  • Current working directory

DISGOMOJI maintains persistence on the system using cron . It can survive reboots through the addition of a @reboot entry to the crontab for itself. The malware also downloads a script named uevent_seqnum.sh and executes it. The purpose of this script is to check if any USB devices are connected and, if so, copy files from these connected devices to a local folder on the system so they can be retrieved later by attacker.

DISGOMOJI listens for new messages in the command channel on the Discord server. C2 communication takes place using an emoji-based protocol where the attacker sends commands to the malware by sending emojis to the command channel, with additional parameters following the emoji where applicable. While DISGOMOJI is processing a command, it reacts with a “Clock” emoji (🕐) in the command message to let the attacker know the command is being processed. Once the command is fully processed, the “Clock” emoji reaction is removed and DISGOMOJI adds a “Check Mark Button” emoji (✅) as a reaction to the command message to confirm the command was executed.

Emoji commands available to the attacker are summarized below:

🏃‍♂️ Man Running Execute a command on the victim’s device. This command receives an argument, which is the command to execute.
📸 Camera with Flash Take a screenshot of the victim’s screen and upload it to the command channel as an attachment.
👇 Backhand Index Pointing Down Download files from the victim’s device and upload them to the command channel as attachments. This command receives one argument, which is the path of the file.
☝️ Index Pointing Up Upload a file to the victim’s device. The file to upload is attached along with this emoji.
👉 Backhand Index Pointing Right Upload a file from the victim’s device to Oshi ( ), a remote file-storage service. This command receives an argument, which is the name of the file to upload.
👈 Backhand Index Pointing Left Upload a file from the victim’s device to , a remote file-sharing service. This command receives an argument, which is the name of the file to upload.
🔥 Fire Find and send all files matching a pre-defined extension list that are present on the victim’s device. Files with the following extensions are exfiltrated: CSV, DOC, ISO, JPG, ODP, ODS, ODT, PDF, PPT, RAR, SQL, TAR, XLS, ZIP
🦊 Fox Zip all Firefox profiles on the victim’s device. These files can be retrieved by the attacker at a later time.
💀 Skull Terminate the malware process using .

DISGOMOJI Variations

Over time, there have been various variations of the DISGOMOJI malware used by UTA0137. Another campaign which illustrates the most recent variation involved another UPX-packed ELF 3 , which is written in Golang. This ELF initially downloads IPR.pdf and IPR.jpg from ordai[.]quest and displays them to the user. Volexity was not able to retrieve either lure document at the time of writing; however, Volexity believes these files are likely the same “Immovable Property Return” lure documents used in a campaign targeting Windows users reported by Seqrite .

This sample also downloads and executes two additional files, LAN_Conf.sh 4 and WAN_Conf 5 , from ordai[.]quest .

LAN_Conf.sh is a BASH script whose contents are shown below:

what is appendix used for essay

The obfuscation used matches a common format used by UTA0137 in campaigns dating back to mid-2023. The purpose of LAN_Conf.sh is to download a copy of the DISGOMOJI malware from ordai[.]quest/vmcoreinfo . LAN_Conf.sh also adds crontab entries for itself and the DISGOMOJI malware. Volexity observed that LAN_Conf.sh also downloads and adds crontab entries for the USB-stealing script uevent_seqnum.sh .

WAN_Conf is another UPX-packed ELF, which is written in Golang. The sole purpose of this ELF is to add more persistence capabilities for DISGOMOJI by leveraging XDG autostart entries ( T1547.013 ). As part of this technique, the malware drops a file named GNOME_Core.desktop or GNOME_GNU.desktop in the /home/<user>/.config/autostart directory. The # character is prepended 39,963 times to the content of the .desktop file. This character is a comment character so it doesn’t affect the operation of the file and is likely an attempt to confuse anyone examining its contents. The actual main content of this file is shown below:

what is appendix used for essay

Finally, in this newer chain the resulting DISGOMOJI sample 6 shows improvements on the older samples, including the following:

  • Functionality has been added to prevent more than one DISGOMOJI process from running at the same time.
  • The authentication token and server ID used to connect to Discord were previously hardcoded in the malware samples; both are now dynamically retrieved from an attacker-controlled server.
  • Numerous strings have been added that are unrelated to the malware’s functionality, likely in order to make the file appear more legitimate.

These changes are further described in the subsections that follow.

Preventing Duplicate Processes From Running

DISGOMOJI runs the ps aux command and writes the output of this command to a file named ps_output.txt . This file is then read again, and DISGOMOJI counts the number of vmcoreinfo processes running by counting occurrences of vmcoreinfo and /usr/bin/vmcoreinfostrings in ps_output.txt . If the combined number of occurrences of both strings is greater than two, then DISGOMOJI will not run; it will exit after printing the string "GNU Drivers Latest version v1.4.2".

Dynamically Retrieving Discord Credentials

In previous versions of DISGOMOJI, both the authentication token and server ID were hardcoded in the malware binary. In the newer versions of DISGOMOJI, UTA0137 has introduced changes to manage these dynamically from the C2 at runtime. Once the authentication token and server ID are retrieved, they are stored locally on the system in files named BID1.txt and GID1.txt , which are written to the malware directory .x86_64-linux-gnu . Every time the malware runs, these locally saved values are synced with values retrieved from the server. The URLs shown in the table below are used to retrieve these values:

Bot Token
Discord Server ID

This new mechanism makes it more difficult for Discord to disrupt DISGOMOJI’s operations. Even if the malicious Discord server is banned or the token revoked, it allows UTA0137 to get the malware back up again by updating these values on the C2, which in turn updates them on the client side. The ID of the command channel is in the format sess-%s-%s , which is written to a file named CID.txt in the malware directory.

Bogus Strings

Volexity observed that this sample contains many informational and error strings, likely with the purpose of misdirecting novice analysts. The string "Graphics Display Rendering" is printed in the main malicious routine in order to throw off anyone looking at the strings. This finding can further be confirmed by looking at some error strings. For example, when the malware is unable to retrieve the Discord token from the C2, it prints an error string "Error fetching Repository Key: %v ". Similarly, when it fails to retrieve the server ID, it prints "Error fetching dpkg: %v ".

UTA 0137 Post Infection Behavior

Volexity was able to uncover a number of second-stage tools used by UTA0137 following a successful infection, as well as generic tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by the attacker. Some of these are summarized below:

  • Use of Nmap to scan victim networks
  • Use of both Chisel and Ligolo for network tunneling
  • Heavy use of the file-sharing service oshi[.]at to stage tooling for download by infected machines and to host exfiltrated data

In addition, on some occasions UTA0137 tries to persuade the victim to type their password into an attacker-controlled dialog box by leveraging a preinstalled utility named Zenity . UTA0137 issued multiple commands that pop up a dialog box on the user’s system, masquerading as a Firefox update:

what is appendix used for essay

In a recent campaign, Volexity noticed UTA0137 deploying the DirtyPipe (CVE-2022-0847) privilege-escalation exploit against a system. Volexity sought to determine why the threat actor was deploying a vulnerability from 2022. After downloading the latest ISO of the BOSS operating system from the official website , Volexity realized (much like the attacker had) that the DirtyPipe exploit would work against the OS and would allow them to escalate to root privileges:

what is appendix used for essay

Attribution

Volexity assesses with moderate confidence that UTA0137 is a Pakistan-based threat actor for following reasons:

  • The Pakistani time zone was hardcoded in one malware sample.
  • There are weak infrastructure links to SideCopy , a known Pakistan-based threat actor.
  • The Punjabi language was used in the malware.
  • There has been consistent targeting of organizations that would be of interest to a Pakistan-based threat actor, particularly Indian government entities.

In this blog post, Volexity analyzed recent campaigns by UTA0137, an espionage-focused threat actor who mainly targets government organizations. The attacker successfully managed to infect a number of victims with their Golang malware, DISGOMOJI. This malware is built on the existing open-source project discord-c2 , and the attacker has expanded on existing code to add convenience functions for their intrusions while maintaining the emoji-based C2 command structure. DISGOMOJI has exfiltration capabilities that support an espionage motive, including convenient commands to steal user browser data and documents, and to exfiltrate data.

UTA0137 has improved DISGOMOJI over time. In particular, the change to the way Discord tokens are managed by the malware makes it harder for Discord to act against the attacker’s servers, as the client configuration can simply be updated by the attacker when required.

In terms of post-exploitation activity, Volexity documented UTA0137’s use of the Zenity utility to display malicious dialog boxes in order to socially engineer users into giving up their passwords. Like many other attackers, UTA0137 makes use of open-source tooling following a successful break, including use of Nmap, Chisel, and Ligolo. The usage and testing of DirtyPipe in later campaigns highlights how attackers are actively learning about these systems to ensure greater success in subsequent attacks.

Related indicators to detect and investigate these attacks can be downloaded from the Volexity GitHub page:

  • Single value indicators
Volexity's Threat Intelligence research, such as the content from this blog, is published to customers via its Threat Intelligence Service . The activity described in this blog post was shared with Volexity Threat Intelligence customers in 2023 and in February & March 2024. If you are interested in learning more about Volexity’s services or leading memory forensics solutions, Volexity Surge Collect Pro for memory acquisition and Volexity Volcano for memory analysis, please do not hesitate to contact us .

1 UPX-packed ELF written in Golang that was delivered within a ZIP file, MD5: 1443e58a298458c30ab91b37c0335bdadbacd756

2 DISGOMOJI, also a UPX-packed ELF written in Golang; MD5: 0d4111ab5471c7f5b909bff336ba8cd66f9d8630

3 Recent DISGOMOJI variation, a UPX-packed ELF file written in Golang; MD5: e5182d13d66c3efaa7676510581d622f98471895

4 LAN_Conf.sh; MD5: e1bdb995998ab338fc596777a78121fc49f002b5

5 WAN_Conf; MD5: 3dff44bede709295fffd3ae3e9599f6ab8197af4

6 DISGOMOJI sample; MD5: 2dfe824d0298201e0efb30f16b3ce8a409ffe006

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The 'Useless' Appendix Is More Fascinating Than We Thought

Marta Zaraska

June 10, 2024

When doctors and patients consider the appendix, it's often with urgency. In cases of appendicitis, the clock could be ticking down to a life-threatening burst. Thus, despite recent research suggesting antibiotics could be an alternative therapy, appendectomy remains standard for uncomplicated appendicitis.

But what if removing the appendix could raise the risk for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases like irritable bowel syndrome and colorectal cancer? That's what some emerging science suggests. And though the research is early and mixed, it's enough to give some health professionals pause .

"If there's no reason to remove the appendix, then it's better to have one," said Heather Smith , PhD, a comparative anatomist at Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona. Preemptive removal is not supported by the evidence, she said.

To be fair, we've come a long way since 1928, when American physician Miles Breuer suggested that people with infected appendixes should be left to perish , so as to remove their inferior DNA from the gene pool (he called such people "uncivilized" and "candidates for extinction"). Darwin, while less radical, believed the appendix was at best useless — a mere vestige of our ancestors switching diets from leaves to fruits.

What we know now is that the appendix isn't just a troublesome piece of worthless flesh. Instead, it may act as a safe house for friendly gut bacteria and a training camp for the immune system. It also appears to play a role in several medical conditions, from ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer to Parkinson's disease and lupus . The roughly 300,000 Americans who undergo appendectomy each year should be made aware of this, some experts say. But the frustrating truth is, scientists are still trying to figure out in which cases having an appendix is protective and in which we may be better off without it.

A "Worm" as Intestinal Protection

The appendix is a blind pouch (meaning its ending is closed off) that extends from the large intestine. Not all mammals have one; it's been found in several species of primates and rodents, as well as in rabbits, wombats, and Florida manatees , among others ( dogs and cats don't have it). While a human appendix "looks like a little worm," Smith said, these anatomical structures come in various sizes and shapes. Some are thick, as in a beaver, while others are long and spiraling, like a rabbit's.

Comparative anatomy studies reveal that the appendix has evolved independently at least 29 times throughout mammalian evolution. This suggests that "it has some kind of an adaptive function," Smith said. When French scientists analyzed data from 258 species of mammals, they discovered that those that possess an appendix live longer than those without one. A possible explanation, the researchers wrote, may lie with the appendix's role in preventing diarrhea.

Their 2023 study supported this hypothesis. Based on veterinary records of 45 different species of primates housed in a French zoo, the scientists established that primates with appendixes are far less likely to suffer severe diarrhea than those that don't possess this organ. The appendix, it appears, might be our tiny weapon against bowel troubles.

For immunologist William Parker, PhD, a visiting scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, these data are "about as good as we could hope for" in support of the idea that the appendix might protect mammals from GI problems. An experiment on humans would be unethical, Parker said. But observational studies offer clues.

One study showed that compared with people with an intact appendix, young adults with a history of appendectomy have more than double the risk of developing a serious infection with non-typhoidal Salmonella of the kind that would require hospitalization.

A "Safe House" for Bacteria

Such studies add weight to a theory that Parker and his colleagues developed back in 2007: That the appendix acts as a "safe house" for beneficial gut bacteria.

Think of the colon as a wide pipe, Parker said, that may become contaminated with a pathogen such as Salmonella . Diarrhea follows, and the pipe gets repeatedly flushed, wiping everything clean, including your friendly gut microbiome . Luckily, "you've got this little offshoot of that pipe," where the flow can't really get in "because it's so constricted," Parker said. The friendly gut microbes can survive inside the appendix and repopulate the colon once diarrhea is over. Parker and his colleagues found that the human appendix contains a thick layer of beneficial bacteria. "They were right where we predicted they would be," he said.

This safe house hypothesis could explain why the gut microbiome may be different in people who no longer have an appendix. In one small study , people who'd had an appendectomy had a less diverse microbiome, with a lower abundance of beneficial strains such as Butyricicoccus and Barnesiella ,  than did those with intact appendixes.

The appendix likely has a second function, too, Smith said: It may serve as a training camp for the immune system. "When there is an invading pathogen in the gut, it helps the GI system to mount the immune response," she said. The human appendix is rich in special cells known as M cells . These act as scouts, detecting and capturing invasive bacteria and viruses and presenting them to the body's defense team, such as the T lymphocytes.

If the appendix shelters beneficial bacteria and boosts immune response, that may explain its links to various diseases. According to an epidemiological study from Taiwan,patients who underwent an appendectomy have a 46% higher risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — a disease associated with a low abundance of Butyricicoccus bacteria. This is why, the study authors wrote, doctors should pay careful attention to people who've had their appendixes removed, monitoring them for potential symptoms of IBS.

The same database helped uncover other connections between appendectomy and disease. For one, there was type 2 diabetes : Within 3 years of the surgery, patients under 30 had double the risk of developing this disorder. Then there was lupus : While those who underwent appendectomy generally had higher risk for this autoimmune disease, women were particularly affected.

The Contentious Connections

The most heated scientific discussion surrounds the links between the appendix and conditions such as Parkinson's disease, ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer. A small 2019 study showed, for example, that appendectomy may improve symptoms of certain forms of ulcerative colitis that don't respond to standard medical treatments. A third of patients improved after their appendix was removed, and 17% fully recovered.

Why? According to Parker, appendectomy may work for ulcerative colitis because it's "a way of suppressing the immune system, especially in the lower intestinal areas." A 2023 meta-analysis found that people who'd had their appendix removed before being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis were less likely to need their colon removed later on.

Such a procedure may have a serious side effect, however: Colorectal cancer. French scientists discovered that removing the appendix may reduce the numbers of certain immune cells called CD3+ and CD8+ T cells, causing a weakened immune surveillance. As a result, tumor cells might escape detection.

Yet the links between appendix removal and cancer are far from clear. A recent meta-analysis found that while people with appendectomies generally had a higher risk for colorectal cancer, for Europeans, these effects were insignificant. In fact, removal of the appendix actually protected European women from this particular form of cancer. For Parker, such mixed results may stem from the fact that treatments and populations vary widely. The issue "may depend on complex social and medical factors," Parker said.

Things also appear complicated with Parkinson's disease — another condition linked to the appendix. A large epidemiological study showed that appendectomy is associated with a lower risk for Parkinson's disease and a delayed age of Parkinson's onset. It also found that a normal appendix contains α-synuclein, a protein that may accumulate in the brain and contribute to the development of Parkinson's. "Although α-synuclein is toxic when in the brain, it appears to be quite normal when present in the appendix," said Luis Vitetta , PhD, MD, a clinical epidemiologist at the University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia. Yet, not all studies find that removing the appendix lowers the risk for Parkinson's. In fact, some show the opposite results .

How Should Doctors View the Appendix?

Even with these mysteries and contradictions, Vitetta said, a healthy appendix in a healthy body appears to be protective. This is why, he said, when someone is diagnosed with appendicitis, careful assessment is essential before surgery is performed.

"Perhaps an antibiotic can actually help fix it," he said. A 2020 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that antibiotics may indeed be a good alternative to surgery for the treatment of appendicitis. "We don't want necessarily to remove an appendix that could be beneficial," Smith said.

The many links between the appendix and various diseases mean that doctors should be more vigilant when treating patients who've had this organ removed, Parker said. "When a patient loses an appendix, depending on their environment, there may be effects on infection and cancer. So they might need more regular checkups," he said. This could include monitoring for IBS and colorectal cancer.

What's more, Parker believes that research on the appendix puts even more emphasis on the need to protect the gut microbiome — such as taking probiotics with antibiotics. And while we are still a long way from understanding how exactly this worm-like structure affects various diseases, one thing appears quite certain: The appendix is not useless. "If Darwin had the information that we have, he would not have drawn these conclusions," Parker said.

Send comments and news tips to [email protected] .

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The People Who Dismantled Affirmative Action Have a New Strategy to Crush Racial Justice

Last summer, in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College , the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority struck down race-conscious admission programs adopted by Harvard College and the University of North Carolina as violations of the 14 th Amendment’s equal protection clause. In doing so, the court’s conservative supermajority both ignored that the Framers of the 14 th Amendment were the originators of affirmative action and turned a blind eye to entrenched racial inequalities that make a mockery of the constitutional promise of equal citizenship. Now, Edward Blum, who was behind the attack on affirmative action in the SFFA case, and other conservative litigants intent on blocking racial justice efforts have a new strategy: remake the nation’s oldest federal civil rights law, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, into a weapon to challenge private efforts to ameliorate systemic racial discrimination and to redress the racial wealth gap.

Last week, in American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund Management , a divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11 th Circuit became the first federal court of appeals to place its imprimatur on Blum’s new tactic. In a 2–1 ruling, the court of appeals held that Fearless Fund’s grant program to provide capital funding to small businesses run by Black women violated a key federal civil rights statute that dates back to the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Known as Section 1981, this law guarantees the equal right to make and enforce contracts.

The court’s opinion, written by Judge Kevin Newsom and joined by Judge Robert Luck, both Donald Trump appointees, held that Fearless Fund’s privately financed effort to rectify the near-total exclusion of Black women from venture capital and ensure that women of color have access to the resources they need to enjoy economic freedom and succeed in business was an unlawful form of racial discrimination. Adopting a strict colorblind reading of Section 1981, Newsom insisted that permitting a grant program open only to Black women “would be anathema to the principles that underlie all antidiscrimination provisions” and preliminarily enjoined its operation.

Newsom’s majority opinion works hard to portray the result as compelled by settled legal principles, but make no mistake, Fearless Fund is a big deal: It perverts a landmark civil rights statute aimed at guaranteeing basic rights of economic citizenship to Black Americans and redressing the long shadow of enslavement, and it creates new barriers to efforts to ensure racial inclusion. Never mind that eradicating racial subordination and guaranteeing economic justice lie at the very core of Section 1981. The two Trump-appointed jurists in the majority effectively read these fundamental precepts out of the statute, holding that Black-owned companies cannot put their own private money into the work of redressing the racial wealth gap and helping to ensure the success of Black-owned companies. According to the court of appeals, Fearless Fund’s grant program must be available to white-owned businesses as well.

The colorblind reading of Section 1981 advanced by Newson’s majority opinion is profoundly antitextual. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was intentionally written in a race-conscious manner. The act declares that citizens “of every race and color … shall have the same right … to make and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, and give evidence, to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property, and to full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the security of person and property, as is enjoyed by white citizens.” Recognizing that enslaved Black Americans never had rights to contract and property—rights essential to equal citizenship—Congress used sweeping language to ensure that persons of “every race and color” would “enjoy” the same economic freedoms as “white citizens.” The statute is not aimed at the use or consideration of race at all; instead, it uses the rights of white citizens as a baseline to guarantee to Black Americans rights of economic citizenship that white citizens have long taken for granted. Newsom quotes the relevant statutory language, but pays the text lip service.

Congress chose this text for good reason: The Reconstruction-era Civil Rights Act was critical to enforcing the 13 th Amendment, eradicating badges of slavery and ensuring that Black Americans freed from bondage were entitled to basic economic rights and enjoyment of the fruits of their labor. It came in direct response to former enslavers seeking to impose new forms of servitude and reduce Black Americans to serfdom. With these new race-conscious protections, the Reconstruction-era Civil Rights Act’s Framers insisted, “all features of slavery which are oppressive in their character, which extinguish the rights of free citizens, and which unlawfully control their liberty shall be abolished and destroyed forever.” The Fearless Fund ruling perverts the statute’s roots in securing economic justice, even as it forbids Black-led businesses from using their own money to ameliorate systemic patterns of economic exclusion and inequality.

The Congress that enacted the Civil Rights Act of 1866 knew that private efforts were crucial to racial and economic uplift. One of the singular successes of Reconstruction was the creation of the nation’s first schools and colleges for Black Americans in the South , spurred by charitable giving by abolitionists and others who devoted significant resources to education in recognition that knowledge is power. In throwing up new roadblocks to the use of private money to redress racial and economic inequality, the Fearless Fund ruling is both deeply antitextual and antihistorical.

Fearless Fund will be far from the last word on the meaning of Section 1981. As other courts consider Ed Blum’s conservative effort to rewrite that critical act, they should remember that the Civil Rights Act of 1866 sought to redress continuing badges of enslavement and to make economic justice a reality. Reconstruction’s great constitutional transformations were race-conscious to the core. In passing statutes like the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Congress understood the need for far-reaching remedies to rectify centuries of racial enslavement, oppression, and violence and to ensure some measure of economic justice to Black Americans. Getting this history right is essential to exposing the glaring flaws in conservative rulings, like Fearless Fund , and to addressing the next wave of coming cases seeking to roll back racial justice efforts.

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Surgeon General Calls for Warning Labels on Social Media Platforms

Dr. Vivek Murthy said he would urge Congress to require a warning that social media use can harm teenagers’ mental health.

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Surgeon General Vivek Murthy speaking and holding a microphone. He is wearing a dark blue military jacket.

By Ellen Barry and Cecilia Kang

The U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, announced on Monday that he would push for a warning label on social media platforms advising parents that using the platforms might damage adolescents’ mental health.

Warning labels — like those that appear on tobacco and alcohol products — are one of the most powerful tools available to the nation’s top health official, but Dr. Murthy cannot unilaterally require them; the action requires approval by Congress.

The proposal builds on several years of escalating warnings from the surgeon general. In a May 2023 advisory, he recommended that parents immediately set limits on phone use, and urged Congress to swiftly develop health and safety standards for technology platforms.

He also called on tech companies to make changes: to share internal data on the health impact of their products; to allow independent safety audits; and restrict features like push notifications, autoplay and infinite scroll, which he says “prey on developing brains and contribute to excessive use.”

In an interview, Dr. Murthy said he had been deeply frustrated by the platforms’ reluctance to do so.

“I don’t think we can solely rely on the hope that the platforms can fix this problem on their own,” he said. “They’ve had 20 years.”

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IMAGES

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

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  3. How to Write an Appendix for a Research Paper & Examples

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  4. How To Use An Appendix in Your Essay

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  1. The Appendix (How and When 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. How to Create an APA Style Appendix

    Appendix format example. The appendix label appears at the top of the page, bold and centered. On the next line, include a descriptive title, also bold and centered. The text is presented in general APA format: left-aligned, double-spaced, and with page numbers in the top right corner. Start a new page for each new appendix.

  3. 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 ...

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

    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.

  5. How To Use An Appendix in Your Essay

    In this video I cover when, why and how to use an Appendix in your academic work.Read through our best essay resources on the Proofed blog:https://proofed.co...

  6. APA Appendix: How to Write an Appendix in APA Format

    Each appendix must have a title. Use title case for your title and labels (the first letter of each word should be capitalized, while remaining letters should be lowercase). If your paper only has one appendix, simply title it Appendix. If you have more than one appendix, each one should be labeled Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, and so on.

  7. Writing an Essay Appendix

    The heading should be APPENDIX or Appendix, followed by a letter or number: e.g. APPENDIX A, Appendix 1, centred, bold. Each appendix must begin on a new page. Appendices must be listed in the table of contents (if used). The page number (s) of the appendix / appendices will follow on from the body of the text.

  8. Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

    An appendix may also contain information that is too cumbersome to be included in the body of the paper. A separate appendix should be used for each distinct topic or set of data and always have a title descriptive of its contents [e.g., Appendix 1: Interview Protocol]. Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL ...

  9. What is an appendix in a paper

    Here are some general appendix formatting rules: Appendices should be divided by topic or by set of data. Appendices are included in the table of contents. The most common heading for an appendix is Appendix A or 1, centered, in bold, followed by a title describing its content. An appendix should be located before or after the list of references.

  10. Do You Need an Appendix in Your College Paper?

    Use a separate appendix for each type of information; Clearly label each appendix with a letter or number, plus a title that tells the reader what it contains (e.g., Appendix A: Survey Results) Include all appendices in the table of contents at the start of your document; If you do all of this, you should have a good set of appendices on your ...

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

    4. Add page numbers. You should make sure the appendix has page numbers at the bottom right corner or the center of the page. Use the same page number formatting for the appendix that you used for the rest of the paper. Continue the numbering from the text into the appendix so it feels like part of the whole.

  12. Tables, Images, & Appendices

    Tables, Images, & Appendices. For some papers and reports, you may choose to add a table, graph, chart, or image within the body of the draft. Or you may choose to include an appendix at the end of your paper. These can help to provide a visual representation of data or other information that you wish to relay to your reader.

  13. How to Properly Use an Appendix

    3. Put your appendices either before or after your references page. It's most common to put the appendices after your references since they're an add-on to your paper. However, you can choose to put the references last if that's how you want your paper to appear. Do what works best for your paper.

  14. ᐉ What is an Appendix? ☑️ How to Write an Appendix

    An addendum in a paper is an essential part of communicating information to the reader that doesn't have a place within the main body. The paper appendix sample included at the bottom of the page shows what information is typically included in those sections. The addendum in a book would significantly differ from one in a research paper.

  15. How do I do an APPENDIX in APA style?

    Each appendix must be labeled with a letter (A, B, C, etc.) according to where it appears in the paper. The first appendix referred to in the paper would be named Appendix A. The second appendix referred to in the paper would be named Appendix B. If you have more than 26 appendices, start the alphabet over with AA, BB, CC, and so on.

  16. PDF The Extended Essay Appendix

    essay. Unless considered essential, complete lists of raw data should not be included in the extended essay. Students should not constantly refer to material presented in an appendix as this may disrupt the continuity of the essay." Appendices are distinct possibilities for students writing extended essays in science, music, visual arts, math ...

  17. How to Write an Appendix in 6 Steps and When You Need To

    How to write an appendix. Here are six steps you can follow when writing and formatting your appendix: 1. Organize information into similar parts. To create an appendix that is easy to read and navigate, organize similar information together so readers can quickly scan each section to review data and resources.

  18. Formatting

    The appendices should appear in the order that the information is mentioned in your essay; Each appendix begins on a new page . APA Sample Paper - with Appendix (Purdue OWL example) Quick Rules for an APA Reference List. Your research paper ends with a list of all the sources cited in the text of the paper. Here are nine quick rules for this ...

  19. How to Write an Appendix for Your Essay

    When it comes to formatting an appendix, there are a few key guidelines to follow: - Appendices should be placed at the end of your essay, after the references or bibliography. - Each appendix should be labelled with a letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) and have a descriptive title. - If you have more than one appendix, make sure to label ...

  20. How to use Appendices

    Sometimes an appendix may be used for ESSENTIAL tables and figures which are too large to fit into the text of an essay/report. The conventions for appendices are as follows: each appendix must be labelled with a number (or letter) and title e.g. Appendix A : Cross Sectional Data Set; there should be a page break between Appendix A, B etc.

  21. Formatting

    The Appendix appears before the Works Cited list; If you have more than one appendix you would name the first appendix Appendix A, the second Appendix B, etc. The appendices should appear in the order that the information is mentioned in your essay; Each appendix begins on a new page

  22. Appendices

    Label the appendices: Label each appendix with a capital letter (e.g., "Appendix A," "Appendix B," etc.) and provide a brief descriptive title that summarizes the content. F ormat the appendices: Follow the same formatting style as the rest of your paper or report. Use the same font, margins, and spacing to maintain consistency.

  23. Reference examples

    Also note that print and electronic references are largely the same. For example, to cite both print books and ebooks, use the books and reference works category and then choose the appropriate type of work (i.e., book) and follow the relevant example (e.g., whole authored book). Examples on these pages illustrate the details of reference formats.

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    The malware used in these recent campaigns, which Volexity tracks as DISGOMOJI, is written in Golang and compiled for Linux systems. Volexity assesses with high confidence that UTA0137 has espionage-related objectives and a remit to target government entities in India. ... Appendix. 1 UPX-packed ELF written in Golang that was delivered within a ...

  26. After Affirmative Action Ban, Students Use Essays to Highlight Race

    The Supreme Court's ruling intended to remove the consideration of race during the admissions process. So students used their essays to highlight their racial background.

  27. The 'Useless' Appendix Is More Fascinating Than We Thought

    The appendix likely has a second function, too, Smith said: It may serve as a training camp for the immune system. "When there is an invading pathogen in the gut, it helps the GI system to mount ...

  28. Affirmative Action killer Ed Blum's new strategy to crush racial justice

    The statute is not aimed at the use or consideration of race at all; instead, it uses the rights of white citizens as a baseline to guarantee to Black Americans rights of economic citizenship that ...

  29. Surgeon General Calls for Warning Labels on Social Media Platforms

    Dr. Vivek Murthy said he would urge Congress to require a warning that social media use can harm teenagers' mental health. By Ellen Barry and Cecilia Kang The U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Vivek ...

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    ICC Digital Codes is the largest provider of model codes, custom codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. For content printing within Digital Codes Premium, please utilize the section level printing controls available within the Premium toolbar for each section.