what is an index in a nonfiction book
Apart from the obvious distinction that your table of contents appears at the front-matter section of the book and your index appears at the end these two content lists have different purposes. In print books the table of contents sits at the front as a map of the readers journey ahead.
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Maria Popova says that its an index based not on keywords but on ideas.
. An index is essentially a roadmap to the book listing names places and things in alphabetical order and giving the page numbers associated with each topic. When it comes to nonfiction especially encyclopedic works a key paratext element is an index. Theoretically an index is a structured sequenceresulting from a thorough and complete analysis of textof synthesized access points to all the information contained in the text Mulvany Indexing Books.
You believe that an index will add value to your book and maybe you have even sat down to write an index only to get lost in the details. Write the letter A at the top of the first leaf B at the top of the second leaf etc. An index is an alphabetized list of subjects and terms used and discussed in the book with their corresponding page numbers and is great to use in nonfiction books.
The index hides in the back of the book waiting patiently until its. A book consists of leafs. Also with an outline you can avoid the cursor of death and writers block because youve mapped out what you.
That being said many researchers and readers still rely on book indexes to assist them in navigating large books and aid them in research. Usually indexes more rarely indices. Your table of contents will contain your chapter heading titles and whatever subheadings you decide to choose whereas your index will include.
But for most nonfiction books I think the answer is yes an index will add value. An index is a tool that helps readers locate information. 7 Steps for Creating an Index.
Write down the name of the theme or idea. I get out a blank spiralbound notebook with at least 26 leafs. One of the elements of a book that doesnt get spoken of much is the index.
A professional can take your book and distill it to its essentials. How to Write a Book Index. A manual index has the potential to be much more helpful than an automatically created one.
See below is a list of words or phrases headings and associated pointers locators to where useful material relating to that heading can be found in a document or collection of documentsExamples are an index in the back matter of a book and an index that serves as a library catalog. In the age of smartphones and ebooks a book index might seem like a relic of the past. 3 It prevents writers block.
With more than 15 years in publishing and a background spanning the sciences and technology Sue writes indexes that enhance the text make reviewers happy and sell more copies. Perhaps you have faced this dilemma as the author of a nonfiction book. An index is a list of all the little details that make your book worth reading.
2 You have a high word count which will keep your production high. Indices yes thats the plural of index are alphabetical listings of the major topics and subtopics in the book with page numbers. Most indexes are several pages long.
Indexes areubiquitous in nonfiction books yet people rarely stop to consider how or who makes this document. The words listed can be technical terms places persons or multiple words. In a traditional back-of-the-book index.
19 of 20 If your book has one or more indexes say an index for topics one for images one for exercises etc theyll be typically located at the end of your back matter. For more articles on indexes and indexing see Sues website. Most indexers welcome an authors suggestions and you should have a chance to edit the index after its done so you are not surrendering control by hiring someone else to do the index.
It serves as a key or map for finding specific topics in lengthier books. A good index will ultimately make your book more useful easier to navigate and will ensure that your readers refer back to your book time and time again. The majority of books that are sold and read throughout America are nonfiction books.
Definition Examples and 9 Essential Nonfiction Genres. Sue Klefstad is also known as Sue the indexer. Nonfiction Text Features Chart Text Feature Purpose Example Title Identifies the topic of the texttells what the text will be about Title Page Tells a books title author illustrator and publisher Table of Contents Tells the names of chapters and what page the chapters can be found Index Tells what pages the reader can find certain topics.
This section contains a list of external publications that youve referenced throughout your book. The index is a microcosm of the book. An index can include terms names events and even your books primary themes.
A nonfiction book is one that tells you facts and information about the world around you. An index adds a level of authority and professionalism to a book that readers often look for. Such books routinely top the New York Times bestseller list and are consumed by everyone from academics to hobbyists to professionals.
If its about something that really happened or something that really exists it is nonfiction. Go to the back of the book where there will always be a few blank pages. For nonfiction books packed with valuable information a well-made index can help quickly direct the reader to the information theyre.
Learn About Nonfiction. An index is a critical yet often undervalued piece of many nonfiction books especially information-dense books like reference books self-help and advice books textbooks and cookbooks. The index may be the deciding factor when readers are choosing between two similar books.
Book indexing is a vital job that professional book indexers. Write down the page number of your highlight. It seems to be a growing trend in self-published books to skip creating an index but its an essential part of a nonfiction book.
Each leaf has two pages one on the front and one on the back of each leaf. A good index isaccurate concise and provides complete cove. There are three main reasons for this.
Readers Expect an Index. Some nonfiction books have illustrations pictures as well as words. An index turns a nonfiction book into a reference book.
1 You can write your book quickly once your outline is complete. 20 of 20 OE. It can cover almost any topic from wild animals to Vikings.
4 It does not take a long time to create a good outline.
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