Back Matter
Back matter collects supporting or reference material after the main text. Harvard dissertation guidance includes appendices, bibliography and supplemental material among possible back-matter elements, while exact requirements remain context-specific.
Back matter is the material after the main body, often including appendices, bibliography/references, supplemental material or an index. Follow the governing style or institution for exact order and requirements.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Back matter is a region of the document; it does not dictate whether every possible component is required or their exact order in every style.
Further guidance
Components
Typical back matter may include appendices, bibliography, supplemental material and sometimes an index; the applicable set depends on the document type.
Placement
Place end matter after the main body according to the governing publisher, institution or house style.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Dissertation Formatting Guidance — Front and Back Matter (opens in a new tab)Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences · Harvard dissertation guidance distinguishing front matter from back matter and listing typical components