Does my table of contents need to include the list of figures and appendices in the page numbering?

You should generally include the list of figures and your appendices in the table of contents so your reader can find them easily. While the main body of your paper is the core, these sections provide essential evidence and data that support your arguments. For the numbering, the standard approach is to use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii) for the front matter. This includes your abstract, acknowledgments, and the list of figures. Once you hit the first page of your actual introduction, you switch over to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). Appendices usually follow the main body and continue the Arabic numbering from your conclusion. However, some styles prefer that you label them with letters, like Appendix A and Appendix B, while still listing their starting page numbers in the TOC. Since you're using Word's automatic tool, you'll need to use "Section Breaks" rather than "Page Breaks" to handle the two different numbering styles. This lets you unlink the headers and footers so the Roman numerals don't bleed into your main chapters. Double-check your specific department handbook to see if they have a preference for lettered appendices.