Publishers or authors may have specific formatting guidelines that influence the final look and usability of the index. Below is a summary of items to consider when creating an index. Christine Hoskin is available to provide professional recommendations on any of these topics.
Style Preferences
Alphabetizing:
Letter-by-Letter
newborn
newcomer
New Deal
new economics
newel
New England
Word-by-Word
New Deal
new economics
New England
newborn
newcomer
newel
Page References:
- Chicago (Example: 220-25)
- Full range (220-225)
Tables/Figures/Illustrations:
Do you want these items singled out? (i.e., if the entry covers pages 3-6 and a table on the same topic is on page 4, does it need to be specifically mentioned?)
If yes, then how do you want these items identified in the page references?
- Italicized t or f following the page numbers?
- Page reference in bold
- Other (please specify)
Capitalization:
- Capitalize only when the main entry is capitalized in the text
- Capitalize first letter of all main entries
Format: (see Indexing Styles page for examples)
- Indented
- Run-in
Cross References:
- Place “See also” at main entry
- Place “See also” at the end of the last subentry
Grouping entries:
Do you want group headings (A, B, C, etc.) before the alphabetical listings of entries starting with that letter? Or is just a blank line preferred?
Sub-headings:
Is there a maximum number of sub-headings allowed (one level, two levels)?
Other requests:
- Are there a minimum or maximum number of pages for the index?
- Are there any special requests (such as indexing footnotes, endnotes, appendices, front matter or other back matter)?