Research your topic carefully to decide which subtopics within your paper could benefit from additional support. An appendix adds support to paper content, so it should not stand alone as a work at the end of the paper. It is a supporting document, like a bibliography, that aids the reader in understanding the source topic or material. During your research, you may have encountered graphs, charts or pictures that helped you understand your topic. Select the materials from your research that best assist the reader in understanding your paper.
Use the word processing software to add footnotes within the body of your paper. Footnotes provide additional information for the reader and often reference supporting documents like a works cited list or appendix. Format your appendix citation within the footnote in American Psychological Association or Modern Library Association format, as appropriate.
Collect all supporting items, such as tables, graphs or pictures, and place them as separate items at the end of your paper. For example, a painting referenced in the footnote on the second page of your paper might refer to "Appendix A." Appendix A should therefore be a copy of that same painting. Appendix B would then logically be the next item referenced within the paper.