Addendum vs Appendix
You might have come across a separate section at the end of a book or a journal referred to as an addendum or sometimes an appendix. Although both are similar in the sense that they present information at the end of the book and are considered necessary additions for the reader, they are not synonymous. In this article, we will explore the differences between addendum and appendix.
What is Addendum?
When a writer has completed a book and new information or facts come to light that the writer believes should be shared with the readers, they include it at the end of the book in a separate section called an addendum. The term “addendum” originates from the Latin word meaning “to add” or “to give.” One can roughly equate an addendum with the use of postscript or “PS” in modern terminology.
However, an addendum is not always about presenting information from another source. Sometimes, an author might add something to what they have already said in the book. At times, the writer may want to explain a point or update something mentioned in the book. There are also instances where authors make corrections to their written work.
What is Appendix?
An appendix is a separate section at the end of a book containing supplementary information that may not be of interest to every reader and is not included in the main body of the book. Such information is often technical or statistical in nature but can also be useful to readers.
Key Takeaways
- An addendum contains information that the author believes should be shared with readers but was not available while writing the book; it may include updates or corrections to the book’s content.
- An appendix contains supplementary information that may not be of interest to every reader and is not included in the main body of the book, often technical or statistical in nature.
- While both addendum and appendix are additional sections at the end of a book, they serve different purposes and are not interchangeable terms.
