Append using a selection or definition query

[KristineMuma]

I'm trying to determine what the correct way to go about getting the Append_management to use the correct set of data from my input table.  It either needs to be from a selection set or from a definition query. What is the correct way or can anyone give me an example of how this is supposed to be formatted?

I'm relatively new to python coding and feeling my way through all the issues. I find I can usually use examples to feel my way through to the right result but am having difficulty finding what I need.

[DanPatterson_Retired]

The quickest way to find the correct syntax for any tool is to do it manually in arctoolbox, then go to Geoprocessing Results, open the last tool you used and check out the syntax,  you can even right-click on the tool and export to a python snippet

Using the Results window—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop 

[DarrenWiens2]

One way to add a selection to your layer using Python is to run: Select Layer By Attribute—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop