how to add appendix to essay

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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 77,230 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

• Surveys or questionnaires you used in your research
• Copies of letters or emails
• Transcripts from interviews

• 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

• For instance, you might include your raw data in 1 appendix and your mathematical proofs in a separate 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.”

• 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

• For instance, when discussing survey results, you might include this text: “See Appendix A for a copy of the survey.”

• 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.

• 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.

• For instance, if your paper ended on page 22, your first appendix would be page 23.

• You don't need a table of contents to have appendices.

Expert Q&A

• 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

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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Easy Guide on How to Write an Appendix

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:

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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.

• 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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is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

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APA 7th edition - Paper Format: Appendices

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• Mechanics of Style
• Overall Paper
• Sample Papers
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How to Format An Appendix - Tutorial

• APA Appendices - JIBC Tip Sheet All you need to know about appendices in APA Style.

Information in this section is as outlined in the APA Publication Manual (2020), sections 2.14, 2.17, 2.24, and 7.6.

Appendices are used to include information that supplement the paper’s content but are considered distracting or inappropriate for the overall topic. It is recommended to only include an appendix if it helps the reader comprehend the study or theoretical argument being made. It is best if the material included is brief and easily presented. The material can be text, tables, figures, or a combination of these three.

Placement :

Appendices should be placed on a separate page at the end of your paper after the references, footnotes, tables, and figure. The label and title should be centre aligned. The contents of the appendix and the note should be left-aligned.

• If you are choosing to include tables and figures in your appendix, then you can list each one on a separate page or you may include multiple tables/figures in one appendix, if there is no text and each table and/or figure has its own clear number and title within the appendix.
• Tables and figures in an appendix receive a number preceded by the letter of the appendix in which it appears, e.g. Table A1 is the first table in Appendix A or of a sole appendix that is not labeled with a letter.

The follow elements are required for appendices in APA Style:

Appendix Labels:

Each appendix that you place in your paper is labelled “Appendix.” If a paper has more than one appendix, then label each with a capital letter in the order the appendices are referred to in your paper (“Appendix A” is referred to first, “Appendix B” is referred to second, etc).

• The label of the appendix should be in bold font, centre-aligned, follow Title Casing, and is located at the top of the page.
• If your appendix only contains one table or figure (and no text), then the appendix label takes the place of the table/figure number, e.g. the table may be referred to as “Appendix B” rather than “Table B1.”

Appendix Titles:

Each appendix should have a title, that describes its contents. Titles should be brief, clear, and explanatory.

• The title of the appendix should be in bold font, centre-aligned, follow Title Casing, and is one double-spaced line down from the appendix label.
• If your appendix only contains one table or figure (and no text), then the appendix title takes the place of the table/figure title. 

Appendix Contents:

• Left aligned and indented; written the same as paragraphs within the body of the paper
• Double-spaced and with the same font as the rest of the paper
• If the appendix contains a table and/or figure, then the table/figure number must contain a letter to correlate the table and/or figure to the appendix and not the body of the paper, e.g. “Table A1” rather than “Table 1” to clarify that the table appears in the appendix and not in the body of the paper.
• All tables and figures in an appendix must be mentioned in the appendix and numbered in order of mention. 
• All tables and figures must be aligned to the left margin, (not center aligned), and positioned after a paragraph break, preferably the paragraph in which they are referred to, with a double-spaced blank line between the table and the text. 
• Each table and figure should include a note afterwards to further explain the supplement or clarify information in the table or figure to your paper/appendix and can be general, specific, and probability. See “Table Notes” in the section “Table and Figures” above for more details.

Referring to Appendices in the Text:

In your paper, refer to every appendix that you have inserted. Do not include an appendix in your work that you do not clearly explain in relation to the ideas in your paper.

• In general, only refer to the appendix by the label (“Appendix” or “Appendix A” etc.) and not the appendix title.

Reprinting or Adapting:

If you did not create the content in the appendix yourself, for instance if you found a figure on the internet, you must include a copyright attribution in a note below the figure. 

• A copyright attribution is used instead of an in-text citation. 
• Each work should also be listed in the reference list. 

Please see pages 390-391 in the Manual for example copyright attributions.

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How to Write an APA Appendix

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

Amanda Tust is a fact-checker, researcher, and writer with a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

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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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How to Write an Appendix for an Essay

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What is an appendix ? Some of us may think about the anatomical structure of our digestive system. However, in the context of academic writing, it is an extra part of a paper that serves as a repository of tables, schemes, figures, diagrams, pictures, etc. Even though the role of the human appendix is a pretty debatable question, the part of the appendix in the area of paper writing is relatively straightforward and significant since it gives a vivid explanation or proof of the information mentioned in the text. How to write an appendix for an essay ? Find the expert answer down the line. 

If you feel at a loss, wondering, ‘ What is an appendix in writing ?’ After an attentive overview of our explanatory guide, you will be well-informed concerning all the peculiarities of adding an appendix to your paper in different formatting styles. 

What Is an Appendix in an Essay ?

Before we delve into the exploration of the question of how to write an appendix for an essay , it is necessary to define what is an appendix and its functionality in an essay. We used to think that an essay is creative writing. However, you should not forget that you may face different types of essays, including argumentative, research essay, informative, descriptive, and other types, where it will not be superfluous to add appendices or appendix .

An appendix in an essay is a supplemental or additional section that provides extra information or supporting materials that may not fit smoothly within the main body of the essay. It is typically used to present detailed data, charts, graphs, images, surveys, questionnaires, transcripts, or any other relevant information that supports the arguments or findings discussed in the essay. 

The purpose of including an appendix in a paper is to ensure that the main text remains focused and concise while still offering readers access to additional relevant information. Appendices are usually numbered or labeled with letters (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) and referenced within the essay to direct readers to the specific content provided in the appendix. But first things first. 

How to Structure Appendix : Key Issues to Consider

When adding an appendix to your essay, it is essential to follow a structured format to ensure clarity and ease of navigation for readers. Here’s an original answer on how to add an appendix to an essay following academic standards:

• Title and Label: Begin by creating a precise heading for your appendix section. Use descriptive and concise language that reflects the content within. For example, “Appendix A: Survey Results” or “Appendix B: Supporting Data Tables.”
• Numbering or Labeling: Each appendix should be numbered or labeled distinctly using a consistent format. You can use alphabetical or numerical order (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B, or Appendix 1, Appendix 2). Ensure that the numbering or labeling corresponds to the references made within your essay.
• Content: Present the information within the appendix logically. If you have multiple items, such as charts, graphs, or images, group them accordingly. You can use subheadings or numerals to organize the content within each appendix further.
• Captions and Titles: Provide a clear and concise title or caption for each item within the appendix. It helps the reader understand how to use an appendix , its context, and the purpose of the information presented. For example, “Table A1: Demographic Data” or “Figure B2: Growth Trends.”
• References: If you refer to specific content within the appendix in your essay, make sure to mention it and provide cross-references. It enables readers to navigate between the main text and the appendix easily.
• Citation: If any of the information in the appendix is sourced from external references, cite them appropriately following the citation style specified in your essay guidelines (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

Remember, the appendix should be supplementary material that supports and enhances the main essay without overwhelming it. Knowing how to structure an appendix , you can provide additional context and evidence while maintaining a coherent and professional presentation.

Appendices Formatting 

When it comes to formatting an appendix in an essay, there are a few guidelines you can follow to ensure clarity and consistency. Here is a step-by-step approach that can help you effectively include an appendix in your essay:

• Start by considering if an appendix is necessary: Before deciding to include an appendix, determine whether the information you wish to add is crucial for understanding the main body of your essay. If the content is vital but too detailed or extensive for the main text, an appendix can be a helpful addition.
• Create a separate section: This is how to attach an appendix to an essay . Begin by inserting a new section after the conclusion of your essay. You can label it as “Appendix” or “Appendices” if you have multiple sections.
• Label and title each appendix: If you have multiple appendices, assign each of them a clear and descriptive title. For example, you can use “Appendix A: Survey Questions,” “Appendix B: Statistical Analysis,” and so on. Ensure that the titles accurately represent the content contained in each appendix.
• Number the appendices: Use a consistent numbering system to label your appendices. You can use capital letters (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B), Arabic numerals (e.g., Appendix 1, Appendix 2), or a combination of both based on your preference or the style guide you are following.
• Format the content of each appendix: Each appendix should be formatted consistently, depending on the nature of its content. For instance, if you are including surveys, charts, or tables, make sure they are clearly labeled and easy to understand. You may also need to consider the formatting requirements specified by your academic institution or the style guide you are adhering to (e.g., APA, MLA).

By following these guidelines, you will know how to put an appendix in an essay and enhance the clarity and completeness of your essay. Remember to consult any specific requirements from your educational institution or the style guide you are utilizing for additional formatting instructions.

How to Add an Appendix to an Essay Depending on the Formatting Style

When including appendices in your essay, the formatting requirements may differ based on the style guide you are using. When you start working on the Appendices section, you need to know the basic requirements of how to write an appendix for an essay , depending on the required formatting style. Here’s a brief guide on how to add appendices in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and Vancouver styles:

Appendix in APA Style

In APA style, it is necessary to locate appendices at the end of your work and adhere to the following recommendations. 

• Start the appendix on a new page after the body of your essay.
• Use the title “Appendix” followed by a capital letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B).
• If you have multiple appendices, label them as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so on.
• Include a clear and descriptive title for each appendix.
• Number the pages of your appendices, continuing the page numbering sequence from the essay.

Make sure you include all the information in your appendix and select the proper title.

Appendix in MLA Style

When an MLA essay writing an appendix is needed, follow such demands.

• Begin the appendix section as a new page after the essay’s conclusion.
• Use the title “Appendix” in bold and centered.
• If you have multiple appendices, label them as “Appendix A,” “Appendix B,” and so forth.
• Provide each appendix with a concise and descriptive title.
• Do not include page numbers for appendices in MLA style.

Remember to consult the 9th edition of MLA formatting style to be precise if there are any disputing situations. 

Appendix in Chicago Style

When working in Chicago style, you need to refer to the 17th edition and do the following steps.

• Start each appendix on a separate page.
• Title the section as “Appendix” followed by a capital letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B).
• If you have multiple appendices, label them accordingly.
• Include a descriptive title for each appendix.
• Number the pages of appendices using lowercase Roman numerals.

Do not forget to include appendices in the context if your paper has such. 

Appendix Harvard Style

If you wonder, ‘ What is an appendix formatting in Harvard style?’ you need to comply with the requirements listed below. 

• Begin the appendices on a new page after the essay’s references section.
• Label the appendices numerically, such as “Appendix 1,” “Appendix 2,” etc.
• Provide a clear and concise title for each appendix.
• Paginate the appendices using Arabic numerals, continuing the numbering sequence from the main text.

Do not forget to revise the appendices as well as the whole paper before submission. 

Vancouver Referencing for Appendix

Vancouver’s formatting style is not as popular for essay writing as others, but you need to be aware of the chief demands. 

• Commence the appendices on separate pages following the essay’s references section.
• Label each appendix with a capital letter (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B).
• Include a concise and descriptive title for each appendix.
• Use Arabic numerals to paginate the appendices, restarting the numbering sequence from 1.

Now, you are well informed about what an appendix is in writing and the must-know requirements for Vancouver style. 

Essay Writing Appendix : All-Purpose Help

Not many students may state that essay writing is their cup of tea. In addition, adding appendices may turn out to be a great challenge or even a failure. The magic phrase “ Do my essay for me ” may solve numerous problems and guarantee expert assistance and winning outcomes within the shortest time. 

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Footnotes & Appendices 

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APA style offers writers footnotes and appendices as spaces where additional, relevant information might be shared within a document; this resource offers a quick overview of format and content concerns for these segments of a document. Should additional clarification be necessary, it is always recommended that writers reach out to the individual overseeing their work (i.e., instructor, editor, etc.). For your convenience, a student sample paper is included below; please note the document is filled with  Lorem Ipsum  placeholder text and references to footnotes and appendices are highighlighted. Additional marginal notes also further explain specific portions of the example. 

Footnotes 

Footnotes are supplementary details printed at the bottom of the page pertaining to a paper’s content or copyright information. This supporting text can be utilized in any type of APA paper to support the body paragraphs.

Content-Based Footnotes

Utilizing footnotes to provide supplementary detail can enrich the body text and reinforce the main argument of the paper. Footnotes may also direct readers to an alternate source for more detail on a topic. Though content footnotes can be useful in providing additional context, it is detrimental to include tangential or convoluted information. Footnotes should detail a focused subject; lengthier sections of text are better suited for the body paragraphs.

Acknowledging Copyright

When citing long quotations, images, tables, data, or commercially published questionnaires in-text, it is important to credit the copyright information in a footnote. Functioning much like an in-text citation, a footnote copyright attribution provides credit to the original source and must also be included in a reference list. A copyright citation is needed for both direct reprinting as well as adaptations of content, and these may require express permission from the copyright owner.

Formatting Footnotes

Each footnote and its corresponding in-text callout should be formatted in numerical order of appearance utilizing superscript. As demonstrated in the example below, the superscripted numerals should follow all punctuation with the exception of dashes and parentheses.

For example: 

Footnote callouts should not be placed in headings and do not require a space between the callout and superscripted number. When reintroducing a footnote that has previously been called out, refrain from replicating the callout or footnote itself; rather, format such reference as “see Footnote 4”, for example. Footnotes should be placed at the bottom of the page on which the corresponding callout is referenced. Alternatively, a footnotes page could be created to follow the reference page. When formatting footnotes in the latter manner, center and bold the label “Footnotes” then record each footnote as a double-spaced and indented paragraph. Place the corresponding superscripted number in front of each footnote and separate the numeral from the following text with a single space.

Formatting Copyright Information

To provide credit for images, tables, or figures pulled from an outside source, include the accreditation statement at the end of the note for the visual. Copyright acknowledgements for long quotations or questionnaires should simply be placed in a footnote at the bottom of the page.

When formatting a copyright accreditation, utilize the following format:

• Establish if the content was reprinted or adapted by using language such as “from” for directly copied material or “adapted from” for material that has been modified
• Include the content’s title, author, year of publication, and source
• Cite the copyright holder and year of copyright or indicate that the source is public domain or licensed under Creative Commons
• If express permission was required to reprint the material, include a statement indicating that permission was acquired

Appendices 

When introducing supplementary content that may not fit within the body of a paper, an appendix can be included to help readers better understand the material without distracting from the text itself. Primarily used to introduce research materials, specific details of a study, or participant demographics, appendices are generally concise and only incorporate relevant content. Much like with footnotes, appendices may require an acknowledgement of copyright and, if data is cited, an adherence to the privacy policies that protect participant identities.

Formatting Appendices

An appendix should be created on its own individual page labelled “Appendix” and followed by a title on the next line that describes the subject of the appendix. These headings should be centered and bolded at the top of the page and written in title case. If there are multiple appendices, each should be labelled with a capital letter and referenced in-text by its specific title (for example, “see Appendix B”). All appendices should follow references, footnotes, and any tables or figures included at the end of the document.

Text Appendices 

Appendices should be formatted in traditional paragraph style and may incorporate text, figures, tables, equations, or footnotes. In an appendix, all figures, tables, and other visuals should be labelled with the letter of the corresponding appendix followed by a number indicating the order in which each appears. For example, a table labelled “Table B1” would be the first table in Appendix B. If there is only one appendix in the document, the visuals should still be labelled with the letter A and a number to differentiate them from those contained in the paper itself (for example, “Figure A3” is the third figure in the singular appendix, which is not labelled with a letter in the heading). 

Table or Figure Appendices 

When an appendix solely contains a table or figure, the title of the figure or table should be substituted with the title of the appendix. For example, if Appendix B only includes a figure, the figure should be labelled “Appendix B” rather than “Figure B1”, as it would be named if there were multiple figures included.

If an appendix does not contain text but includes numerous figures or table, the appendix should be formatted like a text appendix. The appendix would receive a name and label, and each figure or table would be given a corresponding letter and number. For example, if Appendix C contains two tables and one figure, these visuals would be labelled “Table C1”, “Table C2”, and “Figure C1” respectively.

Sample Paper    

Media File: APA 7 - Student Sample Paper (Footnotes & Appendices)

Citations - APA: Formatting - Essay, Reference List, Appendix, & Sample Paper

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• Audio Materials
• Books, eBooks & Pamphlets
• Class Notes, Class Lectures and Presentations
• Encyclopedias & Dictionaries (Reference Works)
• Government Documents
• Images, Charts, Graphs, Maps & Tables
• Magazine Articles
• Newspaper Articles
• Pesonal Communication (Interviews, Emails, & Telephone)
• Social Media
• Videos & DVDs
• When Creating Digital Assignments
• When Information Is Missing
• Works in a Foreign Language
• Works Quoted in Another Source (Secondary Source)
• In-Text Citations - Quoting & Paraphrasing
• Formatting - Essay, Reference List, Appendix, & Sample Paper
• Annotated Bibliography

Sample Papers

• Diane Hacker APA Sample Paper

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

• The Appendix appears  after  the References 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
• 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 Reference list.

• Start a new page for your Reference list. Centre the title, References, at the top of the page.
• Double-space the list.
• Start the first line of each reference at the left margin; indent each subsequent line five spaces (a hanging indent).
• Put your list in alphabetical order. Alphabetize the list by the first word in the reference. In most cases, the first word will be the author’s last name. Where the author is unknown, alphabetize by the first word in the title, ignoring the words a, an, the.
• For each author, give the last name followed by a comma and the first (and middle, if listed) initials followed by periods.
• Italicize the titles of works: books, audiovisual material, internet documents and newspapers, and the title and volume number of journals and magazines.
• Do not italicize titles of parts of works, such as: articles from newspapers, magazines, or journals / essays, poems, short stories or chapter titles from a book / chapters or sections of an Internet document.
• In titles of non-periodicals (books, videotapes, websites, reports, poems, essays, chapters, etc), capitalize only the first letter of the first word of a title and subtitle, and all proper nouns (names of people, places, organizations, nationalities).
• If more than one place of publication is listed give the publisher's home office. If the home office is not given or known then choose the first location listed.
• << Previous: In-Text Citations - Quoting & Paraphrasing
• Next: Annotated Bibliography >>
• Last Updated: Dec 14, 2023 11:30 AM
• URL: https://libguides.lahc.edu/apa

How do I format an appendix and style its heads?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

There are many possible ways to format an appendix. A rule of thumb is to let the content guide the choice of format. Types of appendix content include the following: prose explanations that supplement the main text, numbered and unnumbered lists, bibliographies and suggestions for further reading, samples of questionnaires and surveys, and charts and tables.

An appendix that consists mainly of prose requires no special formatting. Use paragraphs, as in your main text, and consider adding titled subheads if the appendix is long.

Appendix 1: An Introduction to the Language of the C Text The language in the C text of William Langland’s Piers Plowman can be strikingly different from present-day English and even from Chaucer’s English. The manuscript on which Pearsall’s annotated edition, Piers Plowman : A New Annotated Edition of the C-Text , is written in a South West Midlands dialect, which frequently varies from Chaucer’s London dialect. This introduction provides students with the basic knowledge necessary to smoothly read Pearsall’s edition. Since difficult lines in the poem are explained in its footnotes and annotations, this guide provides only a rudimentary working knowledge of the most pressing grammatical and lexical issues. No specific linguistic knowledge is assumed. Pronunciation and Spelling Reading Langland’s text aloud is the key to comprehending it. The letters i , e , a , o , u are usually pronounced closer to the Spanish or French pronunciations. Normally, i sounds like the vowel in American English beat , e like that in bait , a like in bot , o like in boat , and u like in boot . All consonants are pronounced, even when clustered together like in knowe (pronounced kuh-no ). Sometimes gg is pronounced like the y in year , for example, in Middle English segge (“say”). The letter y sometimes interchanges with the letter i , for example, mornyng (“morning”). The letters v and u can interchange, for example vp (“up”) and haue (“have”). Nouns Plural nouns normally end in -es , as in thynges (“things”). Possessive nouns also end in -es , as in goddes loue (“God’s love”). Adjectives Sometimes, but not always, adjectives have an – e on the end, as in gode seyntes (“good saints”), especially if the noun is plural.

For an appendix that consists of a list of items, decide if the items should be numbered or not. (Hint: Are the numbers meaningful to the content? If not, consider omitting numbers.) If the list is unnumbered, ensure that each item is clearly distinct from the others. For items with multiple components, style each component consistently. For example, in the following annotated list of web resources, the annotation appears indented on a line below the site name and URL.  

Appendix Asclepio , asclepio.revistas.csic.es The journal of the history of medicine published by Spain’s National Research Council offers free access to all of their issues. Colección Historicomédica de la Universitat de València , hicido.uv.es/Expo_medicina The website of the University of Valencia’s History of Medicine Collection offers well-curated links to exhibitions, including online images, texts, and clinical studies. Diccionario de la Real Academia Española , www.rae.es The Royal Academy’s Diccionario de la lengua española is the essential starting point for exploring general vocabulary. It contains links to historical dictionaries as well. Diccionario médico-biológico, histórico y etimológico , www.dicciomed.eusal.es This online medical dictionary is a valuable resource for technical words and historical usages.

Bibliographies

An appendix that takes the form of a list of sources or recommended readings can be formatted much like a works-cited list: alphabetize the items, follow a consistent format for the entries, and use a hanging indentation.

Appendix 1 The following editions were consulted for this volume: Bercot, Martine, et al., editors. Anthologie de la poésie française: XVIII e , XIX e , XX e siècles. Vol. 2, Gallimard/Pléiade, 2000. Boucher, Gwenaëlle, editor. Poètes créoles du XVIII e siècle: Parny, Bertin, Léonard . Vol. 1, L’Harmattan, 2009. Parny, Évariste. Œuvres complètes . Edited by Gwenaëlle Boucher, L’Harmattan, 2010. 4 vols. ———. Œuvres complètes d’Évariste de Parny . Edited by Pierre-Jean de Béranger, 1831. ———. Œuvres inédites d’Evariste Parny precédées d’une notice sur sa vie et ses ouvrages par P. F. Tissot . A. Dupont, 1827. ———. La guerre des dieux . Edited by J. C. Lemaire, Champion, 2002. Seth, Catriona. Les poètes créoles du XVIII e siècle: Parny-Bertin-Leonard . Memini, 1998.  

Questionnaires and Surveys

An appendix may reproduce a questionnaire or survey used by a researcher. It is usually not necessary to reproduce the exact format of the questionnaire.

Appendix A What were your preconceived notions for this study abroad trip prior to arrival? How do those compare with your actual experiences thus far in Honduras? In what ways, if at all, have your thoughts on what it means to be a teacher changed since your time in Honduras? What sort of teaching strategies did you find teachers use in the classroom in Honduras? How do they compare and contrast with the instructional practices you have witnessed in the United States? How have you managed to communicate without knowing much Spanish? How does it feel to be in a country where the majority of the people are Latino and Latina and speak Spanish, not English? What has been your reaction to the poverty you have seen in Honduras? Has your perception of English-language learners changed? What is your perception of bilingual classrooms? Are there any experiences on this trip that you feel have helped prepare you to be a teacher?  

Charts and Tables

Sometimes a chart or table is the best way to convey information in an appendix. However, don’t use a chart or table to present information that can be shared in a simpler format, such as a list.

Appendix: Sample Fieldwork Schedule   Morning Afternoon  Day 1 Breakfast; depart for Bolʹshie Koty  Settle in at Bolʹshie Koty; tour of biostation with Evgenii Zilov Day 2 Hike to Chernaia Creek; work at biostation Collect samples at Chernaia Creek; discuss student hypotheses Day 3 Trip to Listvianka; visit Museum of Baikal, Limnological Institute Dry suit divers collect benthic samples; discussion of samples Day 4 Guided tour of Kadilʹnaia Valley Preserve with ISU botanists Discussion with Svetlana Sizykh and other botanists from ISU Botanical Garden Day 5 Guided tour of Bolʹshie Koty valley with botanists Collection of samples; discussion Day 6 Visit site of Great Baikal Trail; discussion with trail leader Ecotourism discussion with Tatʹiana Klepikova, Great Baikal Trail  

Heads in Appendixes

Structuring and styling the heads in an appendix follow the same principles as using heads in your main text . Short appendixes may need only a title and no heads, while longer, more complex appendixes may benefit from the structure that heads can provide. The styling and size of heads should be used to signal prominence and subordination of head levels: larger, boldface fonts indicate the most prominent head levels, while a smaller or italic font indicates subordinate head levels.

Titles of Appendixes

If your work has more than one appendix, label the appendixes numerically or alphabetically. Appendixes may also bear titles, which should be short and descriptive.

How do I add an appendix to my paper?

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Harvard Referencing Guide

Appendix guidelines.

• An appendix (plural appendices) contain material that belongs with your paper, rather than in it. They go at the very end of your paper, after your reference list.
• The appendix can include text, tables, figures, or a combination of these.
• Each appendix starts on a separate page.
• If you have one appendix in your assessment, label the section, Appendix. If there are two or more, label each appendix with a capital letter (e.g. Appendix A, Appendix B etc).
• … showed higher participation rates (see Appendix A).
• As shown in Appendix B, the results …
• If you have written the appendix and used outside materials, just insert the citations in the text of your appendix as normal, and include the full reference in the main reference list for your paper.
• << Previous: Reference list
• Next: Books >>
• Last Updated: Mar 5, 2024 8:33 PM
• URL: https://libguides.scu.edu.au/harvard

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We’re here to connect Scholars and Alumni to the people and opportunities you need to reach your full potential.

Our partnerships bridge the gap between the nation’s brightest minds and the opportunities they deserve.

Learn more about who we are and how we help students dream big on their path to, through, and beyond college.

How to Write a College Essay

Let QuestBridge help you with college essay writing tips. We cover what to write about, how to get feedback, and more!

The low-income lens in college essays

Students from low-income backgrounds may not realize that they have a unique perspective to present to admissions officers. If your identity has been shaped by financial difficulties and other obstacles, consider writing about these challenges in your college essays so that admissions officers understand the full context of your successes and academic accomplishments.

Bring us into your world. We want to know you. We want to know your truth.

Student challenges and extenuating circumstances

You may describe specific challenges that you have risen above in your college essays, such as:

• You hold significant responsibilities in your household, such as providing care for an ill family member, babysitting siblings, or preparing family meals.
• You have a part-time job to pay for school activities or household expenses.
• You live with people other than your immediate family or have been in foster care.
• You experienced homelessness or other temporary housing situations.
• A parent has passed away or is not present in your life.
• You commute a long distance to attend school.
• Your family or community is not supportive of your educational goals.
• You faced obstacles because English is not your first language.

Proper tone for college essays

If you choose to write about challenges in your life, be careful to avoid using overly critical or negative language when writing a college essay. This is a good opportunity to emphasize your emotional maturity and how challenges in your life have helped you grow as a person. You may compromise that impression if your tone is resentful or excessively dramatic.

College essay topic choice

Giving admissions officers a window into difficult experiences can present your story in your college application, but there are other topics that can also make for a strong essay (e.g. a favorite book, a community service project). Whichever angle you select to tell your story, highlight the most important things that have shaped and continue to shape your identity.

The writing process: brainstorm, outline, and draft

Writing a college essay can seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. Watch our webinar,  Write a College Essay that Stands Out , and download our worksheet as a template and foundation to help you craft a strong college essay. This college essay format may help you write your essay in a manner that goes beyond just a chronological explanation of your life or an expansion of your resume.

Essay feedback and revisions

Ask teachers, mentors, family, or friends for feedback on your essay. Reach out well in advance of any deadlines, and give them at least two weeks to provide feedback. Ask them in person if you can, but if you cannot, send them an email. If they agree to take a look, you can send them a message with your essay. Download a sample message below.

After receiving feedback, revise! You should plan on going through a few drafts. Here are some things to keep in mind: 

• You do not have to incorporate all feedback. Accept what you think is most helpful. 
• Edits and revisions should not remove your voice or completely alter your writing style. 
• Pay attention to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and even formatting. 
• It may help to read your essay out loud to catch mistakes you might otherwise skim over. 
• Read your college essay from an admissions officer’s perspective.
• For more college essay writing tips, continue reading the FAQs below.

Detailed FAQs about college admissions essays

Mechanics, structure, and content are vital parts of a successful essay. Our Detailed College Essays FAQs page covers each category in detail to give your essay a strong start and finish. Learn about how to write a college essay, how long a college essay should be, and more.

How to Write an Explanatory Essay

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Published: May 24, 2024

A study from the English Language Teaching Educational Journal found that students encounter difficulty in organizing thoughts, generating ideas, and understanding writing processes when writing essays [1]. These are all key components of putting together a good explanatory essay. If this sounds like you, then don’t worry.

With the right approach, you can seamlessly combine all these components. This guide will give you a simple step-by-step strategy for writing an explanatory essay. It’ll also give you handy writing tips and tool suggestions, like utilizing artificial intelligence.

With this guide, you’ll be able to write an explanatory essay with confidence.

1. Develop a strong thesis statement

Crafting a strong thesis statement is the cornerstone of any well-written explanatory essay. It sets the stage for what your essay will cover and clarifies the main point you’re going to explain. Here’s how to create a thesis:

• Find the main idea : Start by pinpointing the key concept or question you want to explain. Develop a clear purpose for the essay. This will guide your research and writing process for your explanatory paper. Use other reputable explanatory essay examples to guide your ideas. This may involve exploring other explanatory essay topics within the same field.
• Be specific : A vague thesis can confuse readers. So, make sure your statement is clear. If you’re explaining a complex process, break it down to its key points. After that, break it into a clear, concise statement that’s easy to understand.
• Reflect objectivity : Explanatory essays educate and inform. They do not argue a point. So, your thesis should take an unbiased stance on the topic. It should present the facts as they are, not as you interpret them.
• Use tools like the Smodin Writer : Smodin Writer does all the heavy lifting by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. With it, you can generate an essay with a thesis statement. How, you ask? Through its dedicated thesis generator . It can create a statement that’s both strong and relevant. Plus, it can pull in all the most interesting information based on your topic to further enrich your thesis statement.

Make your thesis clear, informative, and neutral. This sets a strong foundation for an effective explanatory essay. Next, let’s look at how to gather the information you’ll need to support this thesis effectively.

2. Research and gather information

You need to conduct thorough research that will back your thesis with credible sources and relevant evidence. This will make your explanatory essay both informative and persuasive. Here’s a step-by-step guide to conducting effective research:

• Start with a plan: Put together an explanatory essay outline that includes the information you need to support your thesis. The plan should list the best sources, like academic journals, books, reputable websites, or scholarly articles.
• Use credible sources: They ensure the accuracy of your essay. Libraries, academic databases, and certified websites are excellent places to find trustworthy information.
• Seek detailed information: Look for the most current sources that explain your topic well and provide unique insights related to or opposing your thesis statement. This depth is crucial for explaining complex ideas clearly and thoroughly in your explanatory papers. Pay attention to the explanatory essay structure to guide your topic of choice (more on this later).
• Gather relevant evidence: Collect data, stats, and examples. They should directly support your main points. Make sure this evidence is directly related to your topic and enhances your narrative.
• Employ digital tools: Tools like Smodin’s Research Assistant can accelerate your research process. Smodin’s tools can help you find detailed information quickly, ensuring that the data you use is up-to-date and relevant.
• Document your sources: As you conduct research, keep a meticulous record of where your information comes from. This practice will help you make an accurate bibliography. It can save you time when you need to refer back to details or verify facts. Again, this is something that’s covered thanks to Smodin’s Citation Machine.
• Evaluate your findings: Critically assess the information you collect. Ensure it provides a balanced view and covers the necessary aspects of your topic to give a comprehensive overview of your essay.

By following these steps, you can gather a rich pool of information that provides a strong backbone for your explanatory essay. Now, you can start structuring your findings into well-organized body paragraphs.

3. Structure body paragraphs

Once you’ve gathered relevant evidence through thorough research, it’s time to organize it. You should put it into well-structured body paragraphs that follow a logical flow. Here’s how to structure each body paragraph for a strong explanatory essay:

• Decide how many paragraphs to use : It will depend on your topic’s complexity and the needed detail. Typically, three to five paragraphs are suitable, but longer essays may require more. An explanatory essay example on your topic of choice will be helpful.
• Start with a topic sentence : Each body paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence will act as a roadmap for the paragraph, giving the reader a sense of what to expect.
• Provide supporting evidence : After the topic sentence, share the evidence from your research. Ensure the evidence is relevant and directly supports the paragraph’s topic sentence.
• Give a detailed explanation : Follow the evidence with an analysis or explanation that ties it back to the thesis statement. This step is crucial for maintaining logical flow throughout your body paragraphs.
• Use linking words : They connect body paragraphs smoothly, ensuring the reader can follow your argument.
• End each body paragraph with a closing sentence : It should sum up the point and move to the next idea.

Following this structure will help your body paragraphs support your thesis. These paragraphs will also offer a clear, detailed explanation of your essay topic. Strong body paragraphs are essential to maintain objectivity in your writing.

4. Maintain objectivity

An explanatory essay aims to inform and educate, which makes maintaining objectivity crucial. Staying neutral lets readers form their own opinions based on facts. This ensures the writing is both reliable and informative. Here’s how to maintain objectivity:

• Avoid personal opinions: Your goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Refrain from injecting your personal opinion or biases. Instead, stick to presenting factual information that supports the thesis.
• Use relevant evidence: As mentioned, ground your arguments with relevant evidence from credible sources. Back up your main points with data and use research findings and verified details. This will make the explanatory article trustworthy.
• Provide a balanced view: In cases with multiple perspectives, offer a balanced view. Cover each side fairly. Even if one view prevails in consensus, acknowledging others gives readers a broader understanding.
• Adopt neutral language: Be careful with word choice and tone. Neutral language implies words that don’t encourage or illustrate bias. This helps avoid emotionally charged phrases and keeps the writing objective.
• Cite sources accurately: Proper citation of sources provides accountability for the evidence presented. This transparency builds credibility and shows you’ve conducted research thoroughly. It’s also worth noting that different intuitions have different citation styles like APA and Chicago, which is important to note before starting your essay.
• Review for biases: After drafting your essay, review it with an eye for biases. Ensure no part leans too much on one viewpoint. And, don’t dismiss an opposing perspective without cause.

Maintaining objectivity enhances the clarity and reliability of explanatory writing. Let’s now focus on crafting an introduction and conclusion that bookend your work effectively.

5. Craft an effective introduction and conclusion

A good introduction and a strong conclusion frame your explanatory essay. They give context at the start and reinforce the main points at the end. Here’s how to craft an effective introduction and conclusion.

In the introduction:

• Hook your reader in the introduction : Use an interesting fact, a compelling quote, or a surprising statistic.
• Provide background information : Be brief and offer only the essential context the reader needs to fully understand the topic. This should give the audience a foundational understanding before diving deeper into your main points.
• Include the thesis statement : Clearly state your thesis near the end of the introduction. This statement will outline the essay’s direction and give readers a preview of the body paragraphs.

In the conclusion:

• Summarize the key points : Start your explanatory essay conclusion with a summary. It should cover the main points from the body paragraphs. This summary should help readers recall and reinforce the information they’ve just read.
• Restate the thesis : Repeat your thesis again but in a new way. Explain how the evidence from the body paragraphs supported or clarified it.
• Provide a conclusion : End the essay with a statement that wraps up the argument. This statement should resonate with the reader. It should leave them with an impression that stresses the topic’s importance.

An effective introduction and conclusion give the essay structure and coherence. They guide readers from start to finish. The next step is revising and editing your entire essay for clarity and precision.

6. Revise and check clarity

Revising and editing are key in writing. They make sure your essay is clear, joined, and polished. Here’s how to refine your writing using an explanatory essay checklist and proven academic writing techniques:

• Take a break: Before diving into revisions, step away from your essay for a few hours or even a day. This break will help you return with fresh eyes, making it easier to spot errors or inconsistencies.
• Follow an essay checklist: Create or use a checklist to ensure your essay has all the needed parts. It needs a strong intro with a clear thesis, well-structured body paragraphs, good sources, and a short conclusion. Check that your arguments follow a logical flow and that all relevant evidence is directly linked to your thesis statement.
• Check for clarity and conciseness: Academic writing needs clarity. So, make sure each paragraph and sentence conveys your point. Don’t use unnecessary jargon or overly complex language. Keep sentences concise while maintaining detailed explanations of your main points.
• Verify facts and citations: Make sure all facts, data, and quotes in the essay are accurate. Also, check that they are cited in the required academic style (e.g. MLA, APA). Improper citations can undermine the credibility of your writing.
• Review the grammar and style: Look for common grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, and awkward phrasing. Reading the essay aloud can help catch odd sentence structures or confusing wording.
• Seek feedback: Share your essay with a peer or use online tools to get constructive criticism. A second perspective can highlight issues you might have missed.

These editing steps will help you produce a polished essay that clearly explains your main points and holds up to academic scrutiny.

Explanatory Essay Format

Understanding the explanatory essay format is key to a well-structured and logical paper. Here’s a basic breakdown of the format for an explanatory essay:

Introduction paragraph

• Begin with an interesting sentence to capture the reader’s attention.
• Give a short intro. It should set the topic and outline the essay’s purpose.
• Present a clear thesis statement summarizing the main idea of the entire essay.

Body paragraphs

• Organize the body paragraphs around logical subtopics related to the essay topic.
• Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that aligns with the thesis.
• Show evidence from good sources. Also, give key details for each main point.
• Incorporate a robust concluding statement per paragraph that drives home your point and links to the ideas in the next paragraph/section.
• Summarize the key points.
• Provide a final statement that reinforces the main idea without introducing new information.
• Craft a concluding statement that leaves your teacher or professor with a lasting impression.

Following this essay outline ensures that your paper has a clear flow. This makes it easy for readers to understand and follow your argument.

Write Better Explanatory Essays With Smodin

Explanatory essays can be overwhelming. Presenting a solid argument, keeping your professor or teacher interested, and remembering conventions like citations can be a real headache.

But, a strong thesis and thorough research make them easier. Well-structured body paragraphs also help deliver a clear, insightful essay that maintains objectivity. Just remember to revise and check for accuracy!

AI-powered platforms like Smodin simplify and enhance the process of writing explanatory essays.

Smodin’s tools help craft clear and well-structured essays that meet any of your academic standards. With Smodin’s advanced research capabilities, you can gather detailed and relevant information quickly. This will save you time and improve your work.

• Plagiarism Checker : Ensure your essay maintains originality with Smodin’s plagiarism detection tool. This feature helps maintain academic integrity by checking your work against vast databases.
• Auto Citation : Cite your sources accurately without the hassle. Smodin’s auto-citation tool ensures your references are in the right format and meet your academic institution’s rules.
• Text Shortener : If your explanatory essay is too long, use Smodin’s AI writer as an essay shortener. It will help you cut your content without losing key details. This helps keep your essay clear and relevant.
• Text Rewriter : Helps paraphrase existing content, ensuring uniqueness and a fresh perspective.
• Summarizer : The Summarizer boils down long articles into short summaries. They are perfect for making an efficient outline or conclusion.

10 Strategies for Writing a College Application Essay

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Strategies How to Write a College Application Essay

Your college essay, frequently asked questions about writing a college application essay.

Writing a college application essay can have an incredible influence on the college admissions committees . The essay is designed to give students a chance to really show colleges who they are and what they aspire to be. This is why it’s important to compose something that makes your personal statement stand out amongst the hundreds of other students.

You want to write something captivating and impactful without overwhelming the reader yet staying true to you. But between knowing where to start and what to write about, the essay itself seems almost impossible to conquer. And this is where I come in.

Today’s article focuses on my carefully crafted 10-step strategy for writing the perfect college application essay . With some colleges no longer considering factors like high school grades and standardized test scores (i.e., SAT and ACT scores ), the pressure to create a college application essay can be fierce but stress no more. With the help of these ten strategies, you will be on your way to writing the strong college application essay that just might get you a seat at your dream college. Let’s get right into it!

Visit our Scholarship blog for more insight on college-related topics, plus access to hundreds of exclusive scholarships . So, don’t wait. Start applying today !

Start Early:

Because the whole application process is tedious from beginning to end, you want to give yourself plenty of time to work on your essay. Be sure to start brainstorming ideas early and create and outline your essay. Not only will this give you an idea of how you want to structure your essay, but it will also provide an ample amount of time to work on the essay. If you start early, you will also have more than enough time to edit and go through multiple drafts until your final draft is complete.

Understand the Prompt:

Before you begin writing anything, make sure you fully understand the essay prompt. The last thing you want to do is write an essay that has nothing to do with the theme/prompt the school has given prospective students. Look into the essay’s guidelines beforehand to have a clear understanding of what your topic is. That way, you don’t waste words and time.

Show, Don’t Tell:

It’s easy to put words on a paper and call it an essay, but that’s boring (and lazy)! Show your readers what you want them to see; don’t just tell them. Use specific examples to illustrate your points and qualities. Try adding some humor in there to give them an even clearer sense of your personality, as well.

Whatever theme or prompts you are focusing on in your essay, just make sure you show who you truly are. Bring your readers on your journey through any experience you’re highlighting rather than just telling them you were there. Use your achievements and moments of clarity to draw them in. An admissions officer will want to see your colors, not just hear about them.

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Be Authentic:

This is the key and probably the most important part of your essay. Be authentic and unapologetically you. Write in your own voice, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Share your experiences, passions, and aspirations, but focus on how who you truly are, your values, and your goals. It’s easy to tell when something is forced, so stray away from generic tones and cliché jargon. Be fun, use humor, and showcase your natural tone. College admissions committees respect transparency and honesty as these characteristics usually line up with their institution’s values, so be authentically you.

Focus on a Specific Topic:

When you’re working on something like a college application essay where your goal is to stand out, it’s easy to ramble on about yourself, and that’s okay! But it’s important to know what is necessary and what overflow is. Choose a specific topic/theme that gives your story a way to showcase your personality and stick to it. You want to focus on key details and not details about the details. Stick to what you want to convey and use supporting information and/or characteristics.  

Structure Your Essay:

The key to a well-thought-out, formed essay is a strong outline. Organizing your thoughts will help you more than you know, so make sure you start your outline with a clear introduction that leads to strong body paragraphs that support your main points. And when all is said and done, you will wrap up your essay with an impressionable conclusion. You might go through a few outlines before you get to your final one, but that’s okay! Whatever works for you will shine through your essay.

Edit and Revise:

Editing is going to be your best friend. The first draft is always going to be a little messy, so make sure you go back and proofread your work for any grammar and spelling errors. The editing and writing process can also help you gain some clarity on what you are trying to convey to the college admissions committee. Because we’re the ones writing it, our thoughts make sense as soon they spill onto the paper, so proofreading your work will give you a chance to realign those thoughts and make it more coherent and smoother to read.

And since you’re the one writing it, it’s easy to overlook typos and missed punctuation, so I suggest taking breaks. And this can go any way! You can complete the first few paragraphs and then take a break; you can do one paragraph at a time or even the entire essay and then take a break. Whichever way you choose to go when it comes to writing essays, stepping back from your words can help you regain that sharp eye that will catch the errors.

Seek Feedback:

If you’re anything like me, you don’t like to bother people or ask for help, but for your college application essay, you have to put that aside. Don’t be afraid to ask teachers, counselors, your parents, peers, and friends to read your essay and provide constructive feedback in areas that need improvement. A second, third, and even fourth set of eyes will be able to catch things you can’t. Just be sure the people you know will set time aside to help you.

Also, request that your readers tell you what they gained from the essay. Did you perceive yourself well, did you miss anything, should you include a detail you don’t think it relevant to personal essay, but they do? You want to make sure your essay represents you academically, professionally, and personally, so listen closely to what they have to say and revise until it’s ready to go.

Be Positive:

Though I know it’s important to share your experiences and stories in your applications essay, I want to make sure you don’t focus on the negative aspects of your experiences (if any!). Colleges want to see their prospective student’s personalities and how they get through even the happiest of life experiences, and not just the challenging ones. Focus on your strengths, achievements, and growth while maintaining a positive and optimistic tone throughout your essay.

Leave them wanting more:

The goal point of your application’s essay is to stand out, so ending your essay with a strong closing sentence will amplify the reader’s interest that much more. Not only will these strategies inspire a well-written and authentic essay, but they can also increase your chances of making a strong, lasting impression on college admissions committees. Make sure your closing statement is witty and powerful and ties it all together.

Your college essay should show your personality, special qualities, experiences, and aspirations to the college admissions officers and committee. You don’t want to do too much, but you also don’t want to leave anything out . So, in case you get stuck, here are some elements to include in your college application essay:

• Personal Story : Share your story and experiences that have shaped your identity and/or influenced your passions.
• Academic Achievements : This is not the time to be modest about academic achievements, so highlight any awards or honors that demonstrate your dedication to education.
• Goals and Aspirations : Clearly state your goals and aspirations and explain how attending the college you are applying to support those dreams.
• Unique Perspective : Offer the unique perspectives or insights that set you apart from other applicants. This will showcase your individuality.
• Writing Style : You want your essay to demonstrate strong writing skills, creativity, and clarity. Provide vivid language, clear storytelling, and proper grammar and punctuation.
• Relevance : Make sure your essay directly addresses the college’s prompts or questions and aligns with the values and mission of the institution.
• Reflection : Reflect on your experiences, challenges, and growth, and show how they have shaped your character and prepared you for college.
• Be Yourself : But most importantly, be You. Stay true to your authenticity, as it is the one thing that will make you stand out the most!

In truth, your college application essay doesn’t have to drag . Include some of these elements into your work, and you might even (dare I say) have fun showing every college board member who you are and what you have to offer the world of academia. Good luck, and happy writing your admissions essays .

What should I write about in my college application essay?

When it comes to topics for your college application essay, choose a subject that boasts your unique personality, experiences, and personal values. Consider sharing a personal story that shines a light on your strengths, or write about any challenges you’ve overcome gracefully or a significant moment that helped shape your identity. The goal of college essays is to provide admissions officers with insight into who you are beyond your academic achievements, not just that you can put together an essay.

How long should my college application essay be?

Most colleges have specific guidelines regarding the length of the application essay, typically ranging from 250 to 650 words. It is important to adhere to the word count limit provided by the college to ensure that your essay is concise and focused. Be sure to carefully review the college application process and instructions to determine the appropriate length for your essay.

How can I make my college application essay stand out?

To make your college application essay stand out, focus on your authentic voice and perspective. Avoid clichés and generic statements, and instead, strive to convey your unique personality and experiences. Use bold language, descriptive details, and storytelling techniques to captivate the reader’s attention. Don’t be afraid to get feedback from teachers, counselors, or peers to ensure that your college essay topic is well-written and effectively communicates your message.

Interested in learning more from Bold.org ? Visit our Scholarship Blog to stay up to date on everything you need to know about college topics and apply for scholarships today.

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Art needs LaToya Ruby Frazier. Does she need the art world?

The photographer is the subject of a powerful, sobering survey at MoMA.

NEW YORK — When women band together, things get done. And the things that get done — have you noticed? — are almost always helpful to others.

A sweeping statement — and my evidence, I admit, is only anecdotal. But my observations chime, I think, with the experience of LaToya Ruby Frazier, a Black photographer in her early 40s, whose body of work is the subject of a show at the Museum of Modern Art.

The Style section

“LaToya Ruby Frazier: Monuments of Solidarity” is an ode to sisterhood. There are more than a few magnificent men in the show, too. But in the end, it’s an exhibition about how (mostly) women — families, friends, communities, unions — respond to crises by banding together.

Frazier has specific crises in mind.

She grew up in Braddock, Penn., an outer suburb of Pittsburgh where Andrew Carnegie built his first steel mill. Her first body of work, begun when she was still a teenager, documented the crises of ill health, industrial decline and civic neglect that roiled her youth there. The photographs in “The Notion of Family” focused on Frazier; her mother, Cynthia (a nurse’s aide and bartender); and her grandmother and guardian Ruby.

We see these three women — as well as “Gramps,” Grandma Ruby’s stepfather, who worked in the steel mill — in and around their home, at the bar where Cynthia worked, in the hospital, and at the funeral parlor.

Frazier’s photographs are incredibly intimate. The interiors include both mirrors and patterned wallpaper, hinting at self-reflexiveness and opacity, revelation and reticence. Some are claustrophobic and taut, resembling close-up stills and sequences from Ingmar Bergman’s “ Persona .” Others are detached and matter-of-fact — the sort of thing you might find in the appendix of a geological survey.

Freighted with silence, “The Notion of Family” makes you wonder about the unaccountable things families share — the things no one outside can possibly understand but which children, tumbling into adulthood, begin to see freshly as they stumble on dark clues about how the rest of the world regards them.

Two things make “The Notion of Family” special. One is the construction, through a photographic practice that is manifestly collaborative, of a rich complicity between women. The other is Frazier’s awareness, deepening before your eyes, of the social, economic and historical forces buffeting not only her family but also her whole community. Both qualities have fed into her subsequent projects.

When, in the wake of the closure of Braddock Hospital, the town’s mayor partnered with the denim company Levi Strauss & Co. to use Braddock in its marketing campaign (slogan: “Go forth to work”), Frazier made work that mocked the campaign.

She annotated photolithographs of the campaign ads (“How can we go forth when our borough’s buses and ambulances have been cut?”). She staged a performance outside a pop-up Levi’s store in Manhattan, dragging her denim-clad body over the sidewalk pavement until the fabric was shredded. And she overlaid a salvaged Levi’s billboard with an excerpt from a speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. critiquing advertising: “Few people have the toughness of mind to judge critically and to discern the true from the false, the fact from the fiction.”

Frazier’s response to the water crisis in Flint, Mich., when public officials allowed lead-contaminated water into the homes of Flint’s predominantly Black community, revealed her at her best. Her project, “Flint Is Family in Three Acts,” took shape from 2016 to 2020. Frazier went repeatedly to Flint, where she befriended Shea S. Cobb, a poet, bus driver, songwriter and activist. She made photographs and video footage of Cobb ; her daughter Zion; her mother, Reneé; and her best friend, Amber N. Hasan.

Frazier’s photo essay, published in the September 2016 issue of Elle magazine , documented the group’s struggle against a deeply pernicious civic affliction — a poisoned water supply — made worse by denial, inaction and indifference. She later photographed Cobb and Zion on Cobb’s father’s farm in Mississippi, where he had invited them because “This water won’t kill you.” And on Frazier’s next trip to Flint, she adopted a format with which she has since persisted.

She photographed Army veteran Moses West, the man responsible for the installation of an atmospheric water generator in the town, and the residents who benefited from this novel source of safe water. Beside these photo portraits, Frazier displayed long, first-person texts, distilled from interviews, explaining each person’s story in the context of the water crisis.

Frazier used this same format in “The Last Cruze” (2019). This project was her response to General Motors’ 2018 announcement that it would lay off nearly 15,000 workers and stop production at five of its North American plants. Frazier went to Lordstown, Ohio, the site of a GM plant making Chevrolet Cruzes. She spent countless hours interviewing, filming and photographing the union workers who were fighting to keep the plant open.

The results are displayed at MoMA on partition walls that form part of a long structure designed to resemble a factory assembly line. It takes time to read the texts, but it’s worth it. As rich as short stories, they repeatedly reinforce what is at stake. Against the tendency of many to demonize unions, both the portraits and the accompanying texts are deeply humanizing.

When the covid-19 pandemic hit, Frazier spent time in Baltimore interviewing community health workers, then presenting her portraits of them alongside long, first-person narratives. These workers are heroic — that’s the first thing you register. But when we call people “heroes,” we put them on another plane, robbing them of a certain reality, which Frazier here restores. These people all have engrossing backstories, interesting motivations and great hearts. Their narratives are more compelling than any number of biographies of the great and the good.

When it first appeared, “The Notion of Family” left you in no doubt that the art world needed LaToya Ruby Frazier. It needed her to break art out of its solipsistic bubble. It needed her to reveal perspectives that challenged — and at times made a mockery of — certain urban liberal assumptions.

Since then, Frazier has continued to show the art world that certain fights are neither notional nor academic. They are urgent and necessary. They are about shelter and water, sickness and medical care, decency and dignity.

Whether Frazier needs the art world — whether her unique alloy of activism, photography, video and interviewing is best carried forth by art world mechanisms (gallery shows, collectors, art press, museums) — is less clear. My own sense is simply that if Frazier wants to leverage art world structures for her own excellent purposes, art — and our idea of what it can be — is the better for it.

LaToya Ruby Frazier: Monuments of Solidarity Through Sept. 7 at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. moma.org.

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Comparison of Telephone and Video Telehealth Consultations: Systematic Review

Oyungerel byambasuren.

1 Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Australia

Hannah Greenwood

Mina bakhit, tiffany atkins, justin clark, anna mae scott, paul glasziou, associated data.

Full search strategies.

Excluded full text studies with reasons.

Risk of bias of individual studies.

PRISMA 2020 checklist.

Telehealth has been used for health care delivery for decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic greatly accelerated the uptake of telehealth in many care settings globally. However, few studies have carried out a direct comparison among different telehealth modalities, with very few studies having compared the effectiveness of telephone and video telehealth modalities.

This study aimed to identify and synthesize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing synchronous telehealth consultations delivered by telephone and those conducted by video with outcomes such as clinical effectiveness, patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and patient and clinician satisfaction with care.

PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and CENTRAL were searched via the Cochrane Library from inception until February 10, 2023, for RCTs without any language restriction. Forward and backward citation searches were conducted on included RCTs. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. We included studies carried out in any health setting—involving all types of outpatient cohorts and all types of health care providers—that compared synchronous video consultations directly with telephone consultations and reported outcomes specified in the objective. We excluded studies of clinician-to-clinician telehealth consults, hospitalized patients, and asynchronous consultations.

Sixteen RCTs—10 in the United States, 3 in the United Kingdom, 2 in Canada, and 1 in Australia involving 1719 participants—were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. Most of the telehealth interventions were for hospital-based outpatient follow-ups, monitoring, and rehabilitation (n=13). The 3 studies that were conducted in the community all focused on smoking cessation. In half of the studies, nurses delivered the care (n=8). Almost all included studies had high or unclear risk of bias, mainly due to bias in the randomization process and selection of reported results. The trials found no substantial differences between telephone and video telehealth consultations with regard to clinical effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and health care use (cost-effectiveness) outcomes. None of the studies reported on patient safety or adverse events. We did not find any study on telehealth interventions for diagnosis, initiating new treatment, or those conducted in a primary care setting.

Conclusions

Based on a small set of diverse trials, we found no notable differences between telephone and video consultations for the management of patients with an established diagnosis. There is also a significant lack of telehealth research in primary care settings despite its high uptake.

Introduction

Telehealth (the provision of health care via telephone or video) has been used for health care delivery for decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic greatly accelerated the uptake of telehealth in many care settings globally [ 1 ]. In Australia, following a rapid national policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic, uptake of telehealth consultations increased sharply and effectively [ 1 ]. In state of Victoria, telehealth consultations with general practitioners increased from 0% before the pandemic to 55% by August 2020 and tapered off to stay around 30% thereafter [ 2 ]. The most common types of consultations through telehealth were management of chronic conditions, mental health, and medication, posttest and postdischarge follow-ups, and new patient consultations [ 3 ].

Previous systematic reviews of telehealth versus face-to-face consultations found no evidence of difference in outcomes of clinical effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and cost in many areas including mental health and primary care [ 4 , 5 ]. However, few studies have made direct comparisons between different telehealth modalities, with very few studies having compared the effectiveness of telephone versus video telehealth modalities. Studies that have examined this are generally narrowly focused on specific care providers such as nurses [ 6 ], or specific conditions such as chronic conditions [ 7 ], with no available systematic reviews that have compared telephone and video telehealth across a variety of care settings.

Given the now widespread use of telehealth and the predominance of telephone over video consultations [ 1 ], it is important to compare the effectiveness and acceptability of telehealth delivered via telephone to video. We therefore aimed to identify, assess the quality of, and synthesize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare synchronous telephone and video provision of care.

Study Design

The systematic review was reported in compliance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement [ 8 ]. The protocol was developed prospectively and is available through the Open Science Framework [ 9 ]. We used the methodology of completing a full systematic review in 2 weeks herein [ 10 ]. This systematic review was conducted as part of a series of evidence syntheses evaluating evidence for the effectiveness of telehealth for the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

We included RCTs of any design, including parallel, cluster, crossover, factorial, or mixed, that included more than 10 participants and directly compared telephone consultations with video telehealth consultations. All other study designs (nonrandomized trials, observational studies, and qualitative-only studies), reviews (eg, literature, scoping, etc), commentaries, or opinion pieces were excluded.

Participants

We included studies with participants of any age, gender, care setting, or health condition. Studies conducted in a tertiary care setting (with in-hospital patients) were excluded. However, studies involving patients discharged from hospital and undergoing care by a primary or allied health providers were included. Care providers could include, but were not limited to, general practitioners, allied health care providers, nurse practitioners, midwives, and specialist physicians (eg, psychiatrists, dermatologists, and rheumatologists). Telehealth consultations between patients and clinicians were included; clinician-to-clinician consultations not involving patients were excluded.

Interventions

We included studies that evaluated the effectiveness of real-time (synchronous or “live”) consultations via telephone calls, including diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Consultations involving asynchronous provision of care (eg, store and forward of patient-generated data) were excluded. Studies evaluating the following interventions were also excluded: mobile apps, virtual reality, SMS text messages (eg, reminders), web-based platforms (eg, information and support systems and chat-based services), and studies of novel (nonstandard) interventions. Consultations could include single or multiple episodes of care, but the compared groups had to receive similar care in terms of frequency, duration, and health care provider.

Comparators

We included comparators that evaluated the effectiveness of real-time (synchronous) consultations via video on any device type (eg, mobile or desktop computer), including diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. We included only direct comparisons between telephone and video telehealth consultations; indirect comparisons (of video to face-to-face care or telephone to face-to-face care) were excluded.

We included studies that reported on our primary outcome of interest, which was clinical effectiveness (details depended on condition/clinical area), and secondary outcomes, which were patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and patient and clinician satisfaction with care. For diagnostic accuracy studies, the outcomes would include comparative accuracy of diagnosis for telephone versus video telehealth care.

Search Strategy

PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and CENTRAL were searched via the Cochrane Library (which includes ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization’s International Clinical Trial Registry Platform) from inception until February 10, 2023. All search strategies are provided in Multimedia Appendix 1 . Forward and backward citation analysis was conducted on included RCTs to ensure that all relevant studies have been identified.

Study Restrictions

We did not impose restriction by language (ie, if the article met the inclusion criteria but was published in a language other than English, it was includable) or date. We only included studies that were published in full. We excluded publications available as abstracts only (eg, conference abstracts) with no additional results or information available about the study’s results (eg, from a clinical trial registry record).

Study Selection and Screening

Following deduplication of the search results, review authors (OB and HG) independently screened the titles and abstracts, and full-text articles for inclusion. Any disagreements were resolved through discussion or by consulting a third author (PG). Two authors (MB and TA) screened trial database records. A list of studies excluded at the full-text stage are provided in Multimedia Appendix 2 .

Data Extraction

Review authors (OB, HG, and MB) independently extracted the data on study characteristics and methods, participants, interventions and comparators, and primary and secondary outcomes. Discrepancies in data extraction were resolved by consensus or by referring to another author.

Assessment of Risk of Bias

The risk of bias of included RCTs was assessed independently by 2 authors (MB and TA) using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 Tool [ 11 ]. Five domains were assessed: bias arising from the randomization process, bias due to deviations from intended intervention, bias due to missing outcome data, bias in the measurement of the outcome, and bias in the selection of the reported results. Bias was graded as low, high, or as having some concerns. In our protocol, we stated that we would use the original Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, but during the conduct of the review, we decided to use the updated Risk of Bias 2 tool due to its recency.

Data Analysis

RevMan 5 (version 5.4; Cochrane) was used to calculate the intervention’s effect. When appropriate, we meta-analyzed studies using either odds ratios or standardized mean differences using a random-effects model. We used odds ratios for results reporting the number of patients with an event (eg, stopped smoking) and standardized mean difference for continuous outcomes (eg, depression). Study outcomes were compared and subgrouped by follow-up duration where relevant. We relied on the RCT design to ensure that the intervention and control groups were homogenous at baseline. Due to very short time lines, we did not attempt to contact investigators or study sponsors to provide missing data.

We screened the titles and abstracts of 2571 articles, which included 1473 references from databases, 1225 references from citation searching, and 209 from clinical trial registries. Of the total of 40 full-text articles screened, 16 RCTs in 20 publications comprising 1719 participants were included in the final review ( Figure 1 ). A list of excluded studies is provided in Multimedia Appendix 2 .

PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart. n/a: not applicable;.

Characteristics of the included studies are shown in Table 1 . Ten studies were conducted in the United States [ 12 - 24 ], 3 in the United Kingdom [ 25 - 28 ], 2 in Canada [ 29 , 30 ], and 1 in Australia [ 31 ]. The majority of the telehealth interventions involved hospital-based outpatient follow-ups, monitoring, and rehabilitation (n=13) [ 12 - 17 , 20 - 30 ]. The other 3 studies that were conducted in the community setting were all smoking cessation studies [ 18 , 19 , 31 ]. We found no studies on telehealth comparisons for diagnosis, initiation of new treatment, or in primary care. Nine studies had a 3-arm design that compared video and telephone interventions with either treatment as usual, waitlist control, or minimal information (ie, pamphlet) [ 12 - 14 , 16 , 17 , 20 - 23 , 26 , 27 , 31 ]. Four studies involved patients’ carers [ 15 , 26 - 28 , 30 ]. Interventions were delivered by nurses in 8 studies [ 13 - 17 , 22 - 25 , 30 ], counselors, or therapists in 4 studies [ 12 , 18 , 19 , 31 ], specialist clinicians in 3 studies [ 20 , 27 , 28 ], and a physiotherapist in 1 study [ 29 ]. None of the included studies reported on clinician satisfaction, patient safety, or adverse events.

Characteristics of included randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

a HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

b Same studies that published their results in multiple publications.

c Same studies that published their results in multiple publications.

d Same studies that published their results in multiple publications.

e Not available.

f Same studies that published their results in multiple publications.

Risk of Bias

Overall, most studies had a high risk of bias or some concerns, mostly in 2 domains: randomization processes were not clearly reported in 12 studies, and we could not clearly determine bias in the selection of reported results in 9 studies. Bias due to deviations from intended interventions, missing outcome data, and bias in measurement of the outcomes were mostly low ( Figure 2 ). Risk of bias assessment of individual studies is provided as Multimedia Appendix 3 .

Risk of bias of included studies.

Primary Outcomes: Clinical Effectiveness

Three trials that were conducted in the community reported on smoking cessation outcomes [ 18 , 19 , 31 ]. Though the outcomes favored telephone consultations, overall, there was no significant difference between telephone and video interventions in smoking abstinence up to 6 months following interventions ( Figure 3 ).

Difference in smoking abstinence rates between video and telephone consultations [19,31].

For depression (measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score), 2 studies including patients with multiple sclerosis [ 13 ] and newly acquired spinal cord injury [ 22 ] found no significant difference in outcomes between telephone and video interventions up to 2 years ( Figure 4 ).

Difference in depression outcomes between video and telephone consultations [ 13 , 22 ].

Four studies reported quality-of-life outcomes [ 13 , 16 , 22 , 23 ]. There was no difference in quality of well-being scores between telephone and video interventions ( Figure 5 ). However, patients in the telephone group scored a half a point more overall on the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores, which ranges between 0 to 105, higher scores indicating better quality of life. Although statistically significant, half a point is not likely to be clinically significant.

Difference in quality-of-life outcomes between video and telephone consultations [ 13 , 22 ].

Secondary Outcomes

Health care usage.

Four studies in total reported on health care usage outcomes: 2 studies reported on the mean number of inpatient days [ 22 , 25 ], 1 study reported on total health care costs [ 17 ], and 1 study reported on both [ 26 ].

Three studies reported outcomes associated with health care usage, specifically, inpatient days of the 2 intervention groups [ 22 , 25 , 26 ]. These study participants had either parenteral nutrition, congenital heart disease, or spinal cord injury and were monitored in the community. Overall, there was no significant difference between telephone and video intervention groups regarding the number of inpatient days ( Figure 6 ). However, there was substantial heterogeneity, and notably, McCrossan et al’s [ 27 ] trial with children with congenital heart disease significantly favored video consultations.

Difference in health care usage outcomes between video and telephone consultations [ 22 , 25 , 26 ].

Two other studies compared the total health care costs of the 2 intervention groups [ 17 , 26 ]. In a study with patients with chronic heart failure [ 17 ], the video care group’s total health care charges were higher than those of the telephone care group. Conversely, in a study with pediatric cardiology patients, the total health care costs were one-fourth those of the telephone care group [ 26 ]. However, in both studies, telephone and video interventions cost much less than usual care.

Satisfaction With Care

Six studies reported on patient satisfaction with care, of which 3 are comparable and are shown in Figure 7 [ 14 , 16 , 23 ]. In the other 3 studies, the patients were equally satisfied with both telephone and video telehealth consultations in resolving their questions and concerns [ 20 , 27 , 28 ].

Patient satisfaction with telehealth [ 14 ].

Seven studies addressed the acceptability and feasibility of the telehealth interventions [ 15 , 18 , 19 , 27 - 30 ]. Both telephone and video interventions were largely and equally acceptable; however, the main challenges for feasibility were access to video call equipment and individual patients’ condition severity and self-efficacy. Clinicians also found videoconferencing acceptable and were more confident in making clinical judgements via video calls rather than telephone calls [ 27 , 28 ].

Principal Findings

This systematic review identified 16 RCTs, which provided a direct comparison of telephone and video telehealth consultations for ongoing care of patients with established diagnoses. There were no significant differences in clinical effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and health care use (cost-effectiveness) outcomes between the 2 modalities. Both telephone and video consultations were acceptable and feasible. Most of the studies had moderate to high risk of bias, thus reducing the quality of the evidence to low.

Many prior studies have demonstrated that telephone and video telehealth consultations by themselves can be equally safe and effective compared to face-to-face delivery with regard to acceptability, effectiveness, and safety outcomes for a wide variety of conditions such as diabetes [ 32 , 33 ] and mental health [ 5 , 34 , 35 ]. This review adds further evidence that telephone and video consultations are equally acceptable and effective when compared directly.

This review has several strengths. We developed and registered the protocol a priori, conducted rigorous search to find all available evidence, and followed PRISMA guidelines. Clear, strict inclusion and exclusion criteria allowed for studies in a variety of different health conditions to be synthesized and systematically reviewed. Furthermore, we only included RCTs and assessed the risk of bias of all included studies.

However, there are some limitations to our findings. All included studies were conducted in high- and middle-income countries and most included fewer than 50 participants, thus limiting the generalizability of our findings. Half of the studies were conducted prior to 2012 before smartphones were in widespread use, using special video calling devices installed in patients’ homes, which would limit the scalability of the intervention. However, with the increasing ownership of personal smartphones worldwide, video communications have become more accessible in recent years, and we believe that the findings from studies using older video calling devices would still be valid today in terms of clinical effectiveness. Lastly, as shown in the risk of bias assessment, some of the studies may have baseline inequalities due to unclear randomization processes; therefore, our results should be interpretated with caution.

The clinical relevance of our findings depends on the objectives and clinical contexts of the consultations. In most of our included studies, telehealth interventions were used to follow-up with patients with chronic conditions in the community. This demonstrates the value of telehealth to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, ensure continuity of care, and improve accessibility of essential health care services for patients in rural and remote areas. Furthermore, different telehealth modalities may be better suited to different types of health care provisions. For example, clinicians were more confident in making clinical judgements and decisions via video rather than by telephone, but the patients were equally satisfied with both video and telephone consultations. However, there was a dearth of studies on telehealth consultations for diagnostic purposes. Future studies should address this gap and provide evidence for usability and effectiveness of telehealth interventions for diagnostic consultations.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic greatly accelerated the uptake of telehealth worldwide, we have not found any studies conducted in a primary care setting, which compared telephone to video consultations. Given the increase in convenience and accessibility and a decrease in health care costs, video or phone consultations could be highly beneficial in primary care delivery. Hence, there is an urgent need for studies in primary care settings comparing telephone to video delivery, to establish the most appropriate mode of health care delivery, particularly when access to face-to-face–delivered health care is limited by circumstances such as geography, disability, caretaking obligations, and limited health care resources.

Based on 16 diverse trials, we found no notable differences between telephone and video consultations for the management of patients with an established diagnosis. However, many of the trials identified were small and old, and were conducted in high-income countries, thus limiting the generalizability of these conclusions. There is also a significant lack of telehealth research in primary care settings despite high uptake.

Abbreviations

Multimedia appendix 1, multimedia appendix 2, multimedia appendix 3, multimedia appendix 4.

Conflicts of Interest: This systematic review was commissioned by the Department of Health and Aged Care, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, as part of a series of systematic reviews on the effectiveness of telehealth within primary care. The funder was involved in establishing the parameters of the study question (PICO [population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes]). The funder was not involved in the conduct, analysis, or interpretation of the systematic review, or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. The authors report no other actual or potential conflicts of interest.