Introduction to Indexing and Abstracting

This is one textbook that I find really useful. It explains the principles behind indexing with good examples, and the glossary in the back is most helpful.

Every non-fiction book needs an index. It needs a good index. Everyone preparing an index should have had at least one college class on indexing. An alternative, although certainly not an equal, is to study this textbook. Prior to buying the book, I had three times failed in an attempt to index my diary. Now, two 200-page volumes are indexed and the work proceeds. The book begins with information on the nature of indexes and a history of indexing. It moves on to two important chapters on information theory. Control of the words used in an index is imperative and there is a chapter on vocabulary control. Only then does the author introduce the types of indexes and abstracts. Here was a revelation. I knew about book indexes. National Geographic Magazine had introduced me to indexes of periodicals, and indexes combined into a single index covering decades. However, the authors of this book point out that the yellow pages are an index and that the internet is a big index. Then, there are indexes of indexes. Various government agencies churn out a flock of specialized indexes. This volume gives a variety of examples and analyzes them. With such a universe of indexes, a novice indexer like me must sort out the material applicable to the type of index desired. That was challenging, but worthwhile. There is one thread woven throughout this volume. That is that the index is solely for the use of the target audience. It should be easy to use. It should be in the vocabulary of the user. In theory, the index should always lead the user to the information sought. Likewise, it should never lead the user to information not desired. There are several lists in the book, but the Ninety-Nine "Dos-and-Don'ts" on pages 146-149 are valuable beyond calculation. Not only will this book help you make an index, it will make you a better user of indexes. My review has focused on indexing. I consider indexing more difficult than abstracting. However, this book will also make you a better abstractor.