An appendix holds the supporting material that is important to your work but would interrupt the flow of the main text — raw data, full questionnaires, consent forms, detailed tables. Used well, appendices keep your dissertation clean while giving examiners access to the detail. This complete UK guide explains what goes in an appendix, how to format and reference appendices, and what to avoid.
What Is an Appendix?
An appendix is a section at the end of your document containing supplementary material — detail that supports your work but would clutter the main text if included in full.
What to Put in an Appendix
✓ Raw or full data sets.
✓ Complete questionnaires or interview guides.
✓ Consent forms and information sheets.
✓ Detailed tables, calculations or transcripts.
✓ Supporting documents.
What Not to Include
Appendices are not a dumping ground. Anything essential to your argument belongs in the main text; only genuinely supplementary material goes in an appendix. Examiners are not obliged to read appendices, so nothing crucial should hide there.
Formatting Appendices
Label each appendix clearly (Appendix A, Appendix B…), give each a title, and order them in the sequence they are first mentioned. List them in your table of contents so they are easy to find.
Referencing Appendices in the Text
Always refer to each appendix from the main text (e.g. “see Appendix A”). An appendix that is never mentioned should not be there. This signposting connects your supporting material to your argument. See our dissertation guide.
Common Mistakes and Tips
✓ Putting essential material in an appendix.
✓ Appendices never referenced in the text.
✓ Poor labelling.
✓ Using it as a dumping ground. Tip: include only supplementary material, label clearly, and reference each from the text.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an appendix?
A section at the end of a document holding supplementary material that would clutter the main text.
What goes in an appendix?
Raw data, full questionnaires, consent forms, detailed tables and supporting documents.
What should not go in an appendix?
Anything essential to your argument — that belongs in the main text.
How do I format appendices?
Label each (Appendix A, B…), title them, and order them by first mention.
Do I reference appendices in the text?
Yes — always refer to each appendix from the main text.
Should appendices be in the table of contents?
Yes — list them so they are easy to find.
Do appendices count in the word count?
Usually not, but check your guidelines.
What is the most common mistake?
Putting essential material in an appendix or never referencing it.
Related Study Guides
How to Write a Dissertation • How to Write a Report • How to Write a Results Chapter • How to Write a Questionnaire
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