How do you write clear and concise summaries for your appendices and annexes?

1 What are appendices and annexes?

Appendices and annexes are sections that contain supplementary information that supports your main document, but is not essential for its comprehension. They are usually placed at the end of the document, after the references. Appendices and annexes differ in their relationship to the main document. Appendices are related to the main document, but provide more details, explanations, or evidence that are not necessary for the main argument. Annexes are independent from the main document, but provide relevant information that may be useful for the readers, such as data tables, charts, or forms.

2 Why do you need summaries for them?

Summaries for appendices and annexes provide a brief overview of the content and purpose of each section. Placed either at the beginning of the document or in a separate table of contents, these summaries help readers quickly identify the type and scope of supplementary information, decide if they need to refer to it, locate the relevant section easily, and avoid confusion or duplication of information.

3 How do you write clear and concise summaries?

To write clear and concise summaries for your appendices and annexes, start by using a consistent format and style. Label each section with the number and title, such as “Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire” or “Annex 1: Budget Plan”. Provide a brief description of the content and purpose of the section in one or two sentences. Highlight the main points or findings of the section with keywords or phrases, but avoid unnecessary details, jargon, or technical terms that may confuse your readers. Use active voice and present tense when summarizing, unless you are referring to past events or actions.

4 What are some examples of summaries?

Summaries for appendices and annexes of a hypothetical document about a research project on customer satisfaction are outlined here. Appendix A contains the survey questionnaire with 10 questions, covering product quality, service, price, and loyalty. Appendix B presents the results of the data analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics, showing customer satisfaction is positively correlated with product quality and service, but negatively correlated with price. Annex 1 provides additional information about the customers who participated in the survey, such as demographic characteristics and preferences. Annex 2 offers recommendations for XYZ Company to improve customer satisfaction and retention, based on the findings of the research project. These suggestions include product development, service improvement, pricing strategy, and marketing campaigns.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?