Do not make things hard for your book reader. Michael Kang Herbalist www. In the simplest terms, a book index is simply a key to locating information contained in a book.

It is also known as back-of-the-book index, as it is mostly found at the end of the book. The words of the Index are sorted Alphabetically. Here is an Index screenshot below : Book index sample The Index words should be relevant and of interest to a possible reader of the book, so they can easily guide him to what he may be looking for in the book.

The index terms can be names, places, events, or any other terms related to your book content. They can be single words or multi words. A book Index is different from the Table of contents TOC.

A Table of contents is a brief list of the book contents written in the order it appears in the book; e. Chapters titles. It appears at the beginning of the book mostly after the copyright page.

Here is a TOC screenshot below : Table of contents sample Some International Organizations are specialized in putting the rules of book Indexes. Some countries have their own indexing rules, but at the end you should select the indexing rules and styling that are best for the book reader. That is your main target.

Some tools are available to help you write your book index, like PDF Index Generator. Using such a tool will save you a lot of time. If it's the type of hard work you like, then you should absolutely index your own book or become a professional indexer!

We've discussed what indexers do, but in this section, we'll talk about how they do it. There are a few ways to go about indexing a book. Different indexers use different ways. Some of them use indexing software to help them out, while others use index cards to keep everything straight. Many use a combination of both.

As you can tell from the discussion above, indexing can't simply be done by software. It needs a human to guide it through the creation of the index by highlighting certain content in the body text.

Since most people are familiar with Microsoft Word , we'll first discuss how to use the built-in indexing software in Word, then we'll discuss the index card method. Creating an index in Word is fairly straightforward. Just follow the steps below to index your document or manuscript.

To start off, simply locate a term or phrase you would like to index. Highlight the term or phrase and then navigate to the References tab at the top toolbar. Near the right side of the tab, you'll see the index section.

Simply select Mark Entry. A window will pop up on your screen. From here, you can decide whether you want to bold or italicize your entry, as well as whether to create it as a cross-reference.

Most notable here is the option to Mark All. If it's a term or phrase repeated throughout the text, then you may want to select Mark All so the software will automatically pull all page numbers to put in the index later.

If you want to capitalize the index entry, you'll need to do it from the Mark Index Entry window that pops up. However, reference your style manual like the Chicago Manual of Style to determine whether this is necessary.

Some style manuals suggest that the entry shows up in the index exactly as it does in the content. Also, you may want to add a subentry in this window if there's another heading related to the one you're currently indexing.

It's a good idea to acknowledge the relationship between entries, even if the subentry has its own heading elsewhere in the index. Note that when you mark an entry for your index, Word will automatically switch over to showing paragraph marks.

To get rid of this, simply navigate back to the Home tab and deselect the paragraph marks button. But know that each time you mark an index entry, it will do this again. Once you have all your index entries done or all that you want to do right now , you can insert your index.

To do this, bring your cursor to the spot in the document where you want your index. Create a header and then click Insert Index in the Index section of the References tab. If you end up adding or removing index entries, you can also update the index by clicking on it and then selecting the Update Index option.

This will automatically update the alphabetical list to reflect any changes you made. Some authors prefer to use index cards to keep track of all possible index subjects and headers while writing their book. This doesn't negate the need for creating an index in the digital manuscript, but it may be an easier way to keep track of things as you go instead of doing it all at once after the book is edited.

If you go this route, make sure to update each index card with the correct page numbers and subentries as well. If your book has images, maps, graphs, or tables, you may want to create a separate index for each category.

This can make things easier for the reader, allowing them to navigate quickly to the section they need by referencing the right index in the back of the book.

Although an index is a simple alphabetical listing of important terms in a book, writing one can take some time. If you're an indie author, you'll need to decide whether your index needs a book at all.

If it does, then you'll also need to determine whether you'll do it yourself or hire someone to do the indexing. Once you're done with the book and are ready to format it for print-ready PDF and ebook, consider using Atticus.

This all-in-one writing and formatting tool can turn your manuscript into a professional-quality book without the hassle of hiring an expensive formatter or trying to do it yourself in Word.

Check out Atticus here to learn more. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books.

Learn how to rank your Kindle book 1 on Amazon with our collection of time-tested tips and tricks. Join , other authors who receive weekly emails from us to help them make more money selling books. Skip to content. By Dave Chesson. Last updated on July 28th, In this article, you will learn: What an index is and why you might need one.

How to write and format a book index. Table of contents What is a Book Index? Does Your Book Need an Index? Your Options for Writing an Index What Should You Include in the Index?

Cross References in an Index How to Go About Indexing a Book Creating an Index in Microsoft Word Step 1: Highlight and Mark Step 2: Get Specific Step 3: Paragraph Formatting Step 4: Insert Index Using Index Cards Creating Multiple Indexes Index in a Book: Conclusion.

Not sure how you can create, write, and format an index in your book? This article will walk you through how to do it in Word and Atticus A table of contents template helps to guide the reader through a long, complex book or essay with the name of the chapter and the page number This is Electric Book template, a way to build websites, books and ebooks from the same master content. Created and maintained by Electric Book Works

Sample book index - Make a list of terms to appear. · Separate these terms into main entries and subentries. · Add the page numbers for every meaningful reference to Not sure how you can create, write, and format an index in your book? This article will walk you through how to do it in Word and Atticus A table of contents template helps to guide the reader through a long, complex book or essay with the name of the chapter and the page number This is Electric Book template, a way to build websites, books and ebooks from the same master content. Created and maintained by Electric Book Works

Subentries : Break down broader topics into subentries to provide a more organized index. For instance, if "Healthcare" is a main entry, subentries could include "Healthcare policies," "Healthcare providers," and so on. Cross-References : If a term has multiple names or synonyms, provide cross-references to direct readers to the preferred term.

For example, "Global warming" could have a cross-reference to "Climate change. Abbreviations and Acronyms : List abbreviations and acronyms along with their full forms and page references.

This helps readers decode unfamiliar terms. Names and People : Include names of individuals, organizations, and notable figures, along with any titles or roles they hold in the book's context.

Geographical Locations : If the book mentions specific places, cities, or countries, list them in the index with relevant page numbers. Concepts and Themes : Identify recurring concepts or themes throughout the book and create entries for them.

This could be helpful for readers seeking overarching ideas. Tables, Figures, and Charts : Reference tables, figures, and charts by their titles or captions, providing page numbers for each visual element. Key Events and Dates : If the book discusses historical events or important dates, list them in the index to help readers find relevant sections.

Appendices and Supplements : If your book includes appendices or supplementary materials, ensure that the index includes references to these sections.

Glossary Terms : If the book has a glossary, consider including index entries for glossary terms, especially if they are significant to the book's content.

E-Book Links : In digital formats, index entries can be linked directly to the relevant pages or sections, enhancing the user experience. Editorial Consistency : Maintain a consistent format and style for index entries to make navigation smooth and intuitive for readers. Best Practices for Creating an Effective Book Index Understand the objective and intended readership of the book : Before creating an index, it is important to clearly understand who will be using the index and for what purpose.

This will help determine what information should be included in the index. Use consistent and specific terminology : It is crucial to use consistent and specific terms throughout to make the index user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Include cross-references: Cross-references are useful for directing readers to related topics or terms within the book. By including cross-references, readers can easily navigate through different sections of the text. Consider both broad and specific entries : When creating an index, it is important to include both broad and specific entries.

Broad entries capture overarching topics, allowing readers to locate general information quickly, while specific entries delve into more detailed topics. Use standard formatting : It is crucial to maintain consistent formatting across the index for clarity and user-friendliness.

This includes using the same style for headings, subheadings, and page numbers. Additionally, alphabetizing entries consistently, whether by first word or by last name, is helpful. Bonus Read : 5 Top Benefits of Book Digitization for Publication Houses Final Words Creating academic book indexing requires careful consideration of both broad and specific entries.

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Sparsh Verma Marketing Strategist. Yashashwini V Rathod Account Director. Expand your website reach. Include subentries for entries with 5 or more pointers.

Unless you're working with an extremely long text, a keyword or concept that occurs on more than five pages typically can be broken into smaller parts. For example, suppose you are writing a book about comic books that discusses Wonder Woman's influence on the feminist movement.

You might include a subentry under "Wonder Woman" that says "influence on feminism. Identify potential cross references. If you have entries that are similar to each other, you may want to use cross references in your index to link the similar entries.

That way your readers will be able to dig further into similar information. Part 2. Confirm the style and formatting requirements. Before you start building your index, you need to know its maximum length and what style guide the publisher wants you to use.

Typically, you'll be expected to use the Chicago Manual of Style. The style guide provides specifics for you in terms of spacing, alignment, and punctuation of your entries and subentries.

Use the correct punctuation. Generally, you'll put a colon after the header or main entry, then continue with the rest of the entry.

If there is more than one subentry, place a semicolon between them. Use commas between subentries and page numbers, and between non-consecutive page numbers. Organize your entries in alphabetical order. If you used the index card method, arrange your cards in alphabetical order and then type the list of main entries into a computer document.

You also may be able to use your word-processing app to arrange the entries alphabetically. Put a comma after the last name and add the person's first name. Noun phrases typically are inverted.

For example, "adjusting-height saddle" would be listed in an index as "saddle, adjusting-height. Fill in subentries. Once you have your list of entries, you'll add subentries for those entries that have multiple subdivisions. Avoid articles such as "a," "an," and "the" in your subentries, and use "and" sparingly.

If several subentries repeat the same word, add it as a separate entry, with a cross reference back to the original entry.

For example, in a dessert cookbook you might have entries for "ice cream, flavors" and "ice cream, toppings. If subentry terms have symbols, hyphens, slashes, or numbers, you can usually ignore them.

Capitalize proper names. While generally you shouldn't capitalize the words in your index, you should capitalize a person's name or the name of a place or event.

Check your required style guide if you're unsure whether something should be capitalized. If a proper name, such as the name of a book or song, includes a word such as "a" or "the" at the beginning of the title, you can either omit it or include it after a comma "Importance of Being Earnest, The".

Check your style guide for the proper rule that applies to your index, and be consistent. Include all page numbers for each entry or subentry. You'll copy the page numbers from your index cards, formatting them according to the rules laid out in your style guide.

Generally, you'll include all the digits of the page numbers if they are nonconsecutive numbers. For example, "ice cream: vanilla, For example, "ice cream: vanilla, passim.

Only use this if there are a large number of references within that range of pages. Then include the name of the similar entry you want to use.

For example, an entry in an index for a dessert cookbook might contain the following entry: "ice cream: chocolate, 4, 17, 24; strawberry, 9, 37; vanilla, 18, 25, See also sorbet. Unlike "see also" cross references, "see" references are used when you want to include a common term that a reader might use, but which isn't technically included in your text for whatever reason.

If you're writing a bicycle manual aimed at beginners, you might include a "see" cross reference: "tire patches, see boots. Part 3. Use the "search" function to check your pointers. If you are using either a PDF or a word-processing document, you have a search function that you can use to locate specific keywords or other terms.

You'll also want to search for related terms, especially if you talk about a general concept in the text without necessarily mentioning it by name. Simplify entries to suit your readers.

The point of your index is to make your work more readable and usable for your readers. All of your entries should include the terms or topics readers would intuitively look for. If you have any entries that are too complex or that might confuse your readers, you might want to simplify them or add a cross reference.

For example, a bicycle maintenance text might discuss "derailleurs," but a novice would more likely look for terms such as "gearshift" or "shifter" and might not recognize that term.

Include descriptions of subentries where helpful. If all the subentries have something in common, you can include this after the main entry to help guide the reader. Usually this will be helpful if the subentries all fall under the same category.

Trim or expand your index as needed. Once you have all the entries and page numbers included, you can more easily see which entries are too short and which are too long.

You'll also want to look at the length of the index as a whole to make sure it fits the publisher's guidelines.

Generally, an entry should occur on two or three page numbers. If it's only found in one place, you may not need to include it at all.

If you decide it is necessary, see if you can include it as a subentry under a different entry. For example, suppose you are indexing a dessert cookbook, and it has ice cream on two pages and sorbet on one page.

You might consider putting these together under a larger heading, such as "frozen treats. Check your index for accuracy. Check every page you have listed in your index and make sure the entry can be found there. Adjust any page numbers as necessary to accurately reflect the content of your book.

You may want to run searches again to make sure the index is comprehensive and includes as many pointers as possible to help guide your readers. Proofread your entries. Scottish Studies Scottish Archeology.

Scottish Book History. Scottish Education. Scottish History Post Scottish History Pre Scottish Law. Scottish Literature. Scottish Philosophy. Scottish Politics. Scottish Archeology. Browse Series Browse Authors Browse Journals.

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Company information. Contact us. Annual report. Home For authors From manuscript to finished book Preparing your index. Decide how many indexes you need Most books need only one integrated index.

Set up your index document Create your index in a Word document. Use double-line spaced type. Write your name and the title of your book at the top of the first page. Choose your method Terms in your index should be arranged in alphabetical order, using either the letter-by-letter method like a dictionary or word-by-word method like a library catalogue.

Let us know which method you are using when you send us your index. Writing your index Main entries should be a noun with or without an attached adjective.

Use a comma after a main entry if it is followed by page references. If a main entry has no page references, only sub-entries, do not use a comma after it. Separate references are written as numerals separated by commas. For example: 68, 69 Continuous references are written as an elided page range.

Omit any unnecessary digits. Numbers in the teens should show both digits. For example: 23—4, —, —13 Synonyms Choose the synonym that readers are most likely to use as the main entry. Write your page references next to this main entry only. Cross-reference synonymous entries to this using see and no punctuation.

For example: Averroes see Ibn Rushd Related words If entry words are related but not synonymous, index the relevant page numbers under each and use cross-references.

Cross-reference related terms using a semi-colon and see also.

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Mashup—aggregate of existing indexes to a selection of books or documents, potentially making all their contents searchable through one index. While publishers Here are 30 sample table of contents design for inspiration an open book with numbers and the words contents written in black on white paper contents is often not given the attention it may deserve — after all, it is just a list of the parts of a book or document organized in the: Sample book index

Renee Boh Senior Executive. Anthropology indsx Religion. Social Work Research and Evidence-based Practice. Can Sampple do so? For Sample book index, suppose you Sample book index writing a book about comic books that discusses Wonder Woman's influence on the feminist movement. Not only did they create outstanding content for our project, but they also went above and beyond to ensure that it was interactive, engaging, and effective.	If your book has images, maps, graphs, or tables, you may want to create a separate index for each category. Use standard formatting : It is crucial to maintain consistent formatting across the index for clarity and user-friendliness. Zoology and Animal Sciences. Download a sample index pdf. Justice Ralph Forbes.	Not sure how you can create, write, and format an index in your book? This article will walk you through how to do it in Word and Atticus A table of contents template helps to guide the reader through a long, complex book or essay with the name of the chapter and the page number This is Electric Book template, a way to build websites, books and ebooks from the same master content. Created and maintained by Electric Book Works	Venngage offers an exceptional collection of table of contents templates tailored specifically for books. These templates are a literary game-changer A table of contents template helps to guide the reader through a long, complex book or essay with the name of the chapter and the page number Not sure how you can create, write, and format an index in your book? This article will walk you through how to do it in Word and Atticus	In the simplest terms, a book index is simply a key to locating information contained in a book. It is also known as back-of-the-book index Wondering what the difference is between an index and the table of contents in a book? Our guide outlines indexes vs tables of contents and Make a list of terms to appear. · Separate these terms into main entries and subentries. · Add the page numbers for every meaningful reference to
Ethics in Music. Boom in subentries. Literary Studies Women's Writing. Use a comma after a main entry if it is followed by page references. Primary Sources of Law. Illustration submission guidelines.	Nuclear Physics. Popular Health. You will have the chance to review and amend the index as needed when it is available. Scottish Literature. To get rid of this, simply navigate back to the Home tab and deselect the paragraph marks button. Physical Anthropology. Manav Malhotra Sr.	Not sure how you can create, write, and format an index in your book? This article will walk you through how to do it in Word and Atticus A table of contents template helps to guide the reader through a long, complex book or essay with the name of the chapter and the page number This is Electric Book template, a way to build websites, books and ebooks from the same master content. Created and maintained by Electric Book Works	broad terms that reflect the main subject(s) of the work (e.g. for a book about Protestantism, do not index the term, 'Protestantism'). Example 2: sample In the simplest terms, a book index is simply a key to locating information contained in a book. It is also known as back-of-the-book index Decide how many indexes you need · Set up your index document · Choose your method · Writing your index · What not to index · Need any help? · Download a sample	Not sure how you can create, write, and format an index in your book? This article will walk you through how to do it in Word and Atticus A table of contents template helps to guide the reader through a long, complex book or essay with the name of the chapter and the page number This is Electric Book template, a way to build websites, books and ebooks from the same master content. Created and maintained by Electric Book Works
Cross references are used Discounted brunch specials deal Sample book index synonyms and closely related topics. Sonic Boook Guide Illustrated Bok heads and selected Sampke from the Sonic Travel Guide book. Conservation of the Environment Social Science. Caroline Mckillop Oct 16, They strike a harmonious balance between aesthetics and functionality, setting the stage for your readers' journey. Faraaz Damji. Blog — Why is a Book Index important?	How to write and format a book index. Publication Ethics Style Sheets Clearing copyright Online resources. The words of the Index are sorted Alphabetically. Table of Contents. Greek and Roman Archaeology. Cross references Cross references are used to deal with synonyms and closely related topics. Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics.	Not sure how you can create, write, and format an index in your book? This article will walk you through how to do it in Word and Atticus A table of contents template helps to guide the reader through a long, complex book or essay with the name of the chapter and the page number This is Electric Book template, a way to build websites, books and ebooks from the same master content. Created and maintained by Electric Book Works	Decide how many indexes you need · Set up your index document · Choose your method · Writing your index · What not to index · Need any help? · Download a sample mashup—aggregate of existing indexes to a selection of books or documents, potentially making all their contents searchable through one index. While publishers This is Electric Book template, a way to build websites, books and ebooks from the same master content. Created and maintained by Electric Book Works	An index is an alphabetical list with page numbers that refer to all the major topics in a book. It is found at the back of the book and can be helpful if the Venngage offers an exceptional collection of table of contents templates tailored specifically for books. These templates are a literary game-changer Missing