How to Add Back Matter to Your Memoir

Before a memoir can be published, the writer must add back matter to the publication. Back matter is a place for readers to quickly find various pages in the book. It is also an essential element of all professional publications. As the name implies, back matter goes at the back end of the book.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Your memoir book

Instructions

1. Put your epilogue on the first page of the back matter. The epilogue consists of any further information you would like to add regarding your memoir. This page is also where you write about any plans for future volumes. Place your website information in the epilogue.

2. Add an appendix, which can include maps, charts and photographs. Label each item in the appendix. For example: Appendix A. Include each of these items in the Table of Contents.

3. Make a bibliography. A bibliography is a listing of all the reference materials you used while researching and writing your memoir. Use APA guidelines to format the bibliography.

4. Organize an index, an alphabetical list of topics or names in the book. The page number of where that topic or name appears in the book should run next to it in the index. An index is usually two columns to a page and in font smaller than the normal text.

5. Add a photo of yourself. The last page of back matter is often used for biographical information about the writer. Write a brief summary about yourself for this page.

References

• Lingual Links: What is Front and Back Matter

Resources

• APA Style