ABOUT INDEXING
WHAT AN INDEX IS
A back-of-the book index is an alphabetical listing of the book's key concepts, along with the page numbers on which readers can find that information. Unlike a glossary, which defines terms with which readers may not be familiar, or a concordance, which lists every instance of every word in a book, an index shows how an author develops their topic.
THE BENEFITS OF HAVING AN INDEX
Indexes can help authors and publishers reach potential readers. A quick scan of the index gives readers an idea of what a book is about, how the concepts relate to each other, and what makes the book unique. Because an index is more detailed than a table of contents, it gives the reader more insight into what the book is about. A clear, well-structured index can draw readers into a book. It also allows readers who cherish a book to return to their favorite passages.
HOW A PROFESSIONAL INDEXER CAN HELP
After you have negotiated every aspect of bringing your book into the world, a professional indexer can read your work with fresh eyes and free you up for whatever is next. In addition, using dedicated indexing software, an indexer can create the index quickly as the deadline nears.
WHAT AN INDEXER DOES
The indexer reads the book, and does the following to create the index:
- BREAKS TOPICS INTO SUBTOPICS. If a discussion appears over a large span of pages or in several areas of the book, the index will break the topic into useful subtopics so readers can refine their search.
- DIRECTS READERS TO RELATED CONCEPTS IN THE BOOK. For instance, an index might direct readers looking up “panthers” to See also “lynxes.”
- CREATES A BRIDGE TO THE AUTHOR'S SPECIALIZED TERMINOLOGY. For example, the index might direct readers looking up “dogs” to See “canines.”
- POSTS PAGE REFERENCES IN MULTIPLE PLACES, IF SPACE PERMITS. The index might post the same page numbers at both “cats” and “felines” so that readers can find the information from wherever they might start their search.
THE ROLE OF DEDICATED INDEXING SOFTWARE
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Each of these decisions is made by the trained indexer who has read the book for meaning and made connections among the concepts. Indexers use software designed specifically to help with such clerical tasks as
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