4 Ways to Cite an Appendix

Citing an appendix is a crucial aspect of writing a research paper, academic essay, or book that contains supplementary material. Appendices typically contain tables, figures, charts, or additional information relevant to the main text of your document. Here, we explore four ways to cite an appendix in various citation styles such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard format.
1. American Psychological Association (APA)
In APA format, you should refer to the appendix in your text by using the phrase “(see Appendix A)” or similar after the information that you want to support. Remember to use capital letters for the word “Appendix” and associated letters or numbers.
To create a citation for the appendix, follow these guidelines:
– Place the title “Appendix” at the top-center of a new page.
– Use hierarchical capital letters (A, B, C…) if more than one appendix is used.
– Write the title below “Appendix,” using regular capitalization.
– Reference information inside the appendix with in-text citations.
2. Modern Language Association (MLA)
Much like APA format, use “(see appendix A)” or an equivalent phrase to direct readers to your appendix.
In MLA format, you must create a works cited entry for your appendix:
– Begin with “Appendix,” followed by a period.
– Specify the title and source using standard citation format (book, article, or website).
– Insert page numbers if sourced from a print document.
– Place URL if sourced from an online resource.
3. Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)
To cite an appendix in CMS format:
– Refer readers to your appendix by inserting “(see Appendix A).”
– Use a numbered footnote for referencing within the appendix.
– Start each appendix on a new page with “Appendix” centered at the top.
– If multiple appendices, label them as Appendix 1, Appendix 2, etc.
– Write the title underneath the label using standard capitalization.
4. Harvard Referencing Style
Harvard referencing places emphasis on the author-date citation method. To cite an appendix in this format:
– Use “(see Appendix A)” or the equivalent in your text.
– For in-text citations, include the appendix’s author and publication year in parentheses.
– In your reference list, format as follows: Author(s) Last Name, First Initial(s). (Year). Title of appendix. In: Author(s) Last Name, First Initial(s), Title of larger work, (inclusive pages/pages of appendix).
In conclusion, knowing how to properly cite an appendix within your work is paramount for maintaining a credible and professional document. Familiarizing yourself with the citation styles most relevant to your field will save you time and effort while ensuring accurate attribution of sources and supplemental material.