End matter

End matter for a book or report can include:

Acknowledgments, a list of shortened forms and the glossary may be placed in the preliminary matter.

Acknowledgments

The acknowledgments text is a brief expression of appreciation to people and organisations (other than the authors) who contributed to the publication (eg friends and family, members of a review committee, professional editors).

The acknowledgments section is placed at the end of some books rather than in the preliminary matter, especially when the list of people to thank is long.

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Appendixes

Appendixes (not appendices) are often used for information that is too detailed or technical to include in the body of the publication. Each appendix should directly relate to information included in the main text and be cross-referenced in the text. Do not include appendixes with information that is not mentioned in the text.

Order appendixes in the sequence that they are mentioned in the text (ie the first appendix mentioned is Appendix A, etc).

Subheadings can be used in appendixes, but are not usually included in the table of contents (ie use silent headings).

Did you know? Appendix is a Latin word meaning an addition. In English, a few Latin words keep their Latin plural (eg alga  →  algae). But most Latin words now take an English plural form, especially in common words and in writing for a general audience (eg appendixes not appendices, referendums not referenda).
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Shortened forms

The list of shortened forms provides definitions and explanations of acronyms and other shortened forms used in the document (see Lists of shortened forms).

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Notes

If lengthy explanatory or source information is needed, place it at the end of a chapter or at the end of the work. These ‘endnotes’, when at the end of the work, are placed after any appendixes. See Refer readers to information in footnotes and endnotes.

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Glossary

The glossary was traditionally placed at the start of a publication, but is often now put at the back so that the front is not cluttered and people are not discouraged into thinking ‘I need to know all this before I can read the book!’ Also, many other things (eg contents, foreword, preface, summary) must go at the front, so it is good to move to the back anything that can be moved. This helps the reader to get to the actual content.

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Reference list

The reference list or bibliography is placed towards the end; the only thing after it is the index, if there is one. 

See References for information about different referencing systems and examples of how to style different types of references.

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Index

The index is placed at the end of a publication. The index is made after the document is complete, including design, layout and proofreading, so that page numbers will not change.

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Attachments

Documents related to, but not part of, the main text can be included as attachments. Use attachments only when necessary. In most cases, a reference or link to the document in question will suffice.

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