Great question! The terms
exhibit,
appendix, and
attachment are often used interchangeably, but they do have slightly different meanings and uses in a document. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Exhibit: Typically used in legal documents, an exhibit is a document or item that is presented as evidence in a case. Exhibits are usually numbered (Exhibit A, Exhibit B, etc.) and referred to in the text of the document.
- Appendix: An appendix is a section at the end of a document that contains additional information that is relevant to the main text but not essential to understanding it. Appendices are often used to provide supporting data, charts, graphs, or other materials that would be too bulky or distracting to include in the main text.
- Attachment: Similar to an exhibit, an attachment is a document or item that is attached to a document. Attachments can be used to provide additional information or to support a claim or argument made in the main text.
In general, the choice of which term to use depends on the purpose and context of the document. If you're writing a legal document, you'll likely use exhibits to refer to evidence presented in the case. If you're writing a report or research paper, you might use an appendix to provide additional data or information that supports your findings. If you're sending an email with supporting documents, you might refer to them as attachments.
As for free internet sources, there are a few websites that offer guidance on legal writing and document formatting that might be helpful:
- The Legal Writing Institute: https://www.lwionline.org/
- The Purdue Online Writing Lab: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/legal_writing/index.html
- The American Bar Association: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_practice/publications/techreport/abatechreport2018/legal_writing/