The Research On Appendix And Exploration Of Its Potential Information Value

Appendix is an important part of document. It can expand and complement the main text in a special form. Appendix as auxiliary material was usually ignored by many people, because it is in a subordinate position in the document. In that case, its inherent functions can't be performed sufficiently and its abundant information can't be used efficiently either. We have to say that it is a big waste of information resource. This paper focuses on exploration of appendix and its potential information value, leading people to recognize appendix and its functions newly and take full advantage of the information of appendix. The paper can be divided into five parts.The first part is about the definition of appendix. According to the explanations of many experts, it discusses the proper definition of appendix. Then, it compares the meaning of appendix with some promiscuous conceptions.The second part summarizes the history of appendix.The third part demonstrates the content, types and characters of appendix.The fourth part sets forth the functions of appendix and its potential information value.The fifth part gives a full discussion of appendix exploration, that is, from its compiling, its posting to its using, especially the discussion of the practice of appendix compiling. In the end, it gives a new view of the use of appendix in information society.