Report Writing: Appendix/Appendices
Report Structure
As detailed in the Report Writing Guide, depending upon requirements, the report may include the following sections in the following order:
- Title page – placed on a separate page – may not be required
- Abstract – placed on a separate page – may not be required
- Table of Contents – placed on a separate page – may not be required
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion and Recommendations
- Reference List – placed on a separate page
- Appendix or Appendices – placed on separate pages – may not be required.
This page focuses on the appendix.
Appendix Purpose
An appendix or appendices (plural) contain supplementary data or information such as surveys, transcripts and/or graphs which does not form an essential part of the text but could illuminate and/or provide a more in-depth understanding of some of the points or issues that are raised in the report. An appendix (appendices) might also contain long, detailed materials that, if placed in the report, would break the flow of the report. The information must be relevant to the discussion and each appendix must be referred to in the report.
Generally, appendices are not included in the report word count because your report should be able to stand alone without the appendix or appendices. If using appendices, confirm that this is the case by checking with your subject coordinator via the Subject Forum.
Appendix Layout
An appendix or appendices are placed on separate pages after the Reference List. Each appendix is numbered using either letters or numbers. For example, Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C or Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3 and so on.
Refer to this Guide for using Microsoft Word when creating appendices.