There are three forms of contents used in our books:
(1) A simple list of chapter headings. In many cases this is sufficient.
(2) Chapter headings with all articles or sub-headings given underneath. These may either be listed or "run in." With a good index, such a full table of contents seems hardly to serve a useful purpose.
(3) The chapter headings with the outstanding sub-headings listed or "run in" underneath. When these headings are selected carefully they give a quick but comprehensive picture of the contents.
Lists of illustrations are nowadays generally regarded as unnecessary in a technical book, and should be prepared only for the guidance of the author and the publisher.
Indexes.—A good subject index is necessary in all technical works. A widely-read periodical in New York at one time published regularly the following notice of subject books which were submitted to it for review and found to be without indexes:
The publisher and the author did not think well enough of this book to supply it with a suitable index. We feel, therefore, that it is hardly worthy of a review in our columns.
A good index is one which enables the reader or student to locate readily the subject or item which he seeks. It is usually best for an author to make his own index. A professional indexer is inclined to overload an index; the author, with his knowledge of the subject and a little study, will generally produce a better working index.
Our usual style of index is two columns to the page, set in 8-point type, with not more than two indentions. The following example shows the use of the single and double indentions:
INDEX
| A | B |
|---|---|
| Acetylene starters, 263 Air cooling, 125 valve, 425 auxiliary, 72 dashpot, 74 Alcohol, heating value, 70 use in radiator, 128 Alignment of wheels, 421 Alternating current generator, simple, 280 Ammeter, method of connecting, 133 operation of, 337 Ampere, definition of, 132 Anti-friction bearings, 364 Armature type magneto, 191 Arm, torque, 400 Atwater-Kent ignition systems, 163, 167 | Battery, effect of overcharging, 245 overfilling, 257 undercharging, 245 freezing temperature of, 250 ignition systems, 159 care of, 186 timing, 185 jars and covers, 242 markings, 244 necessity of pure water in, 247 operation of, 245 rundown, causes, 260 sediment, 260 specific gravity, change in, 247 sulphation, 256 testing with hydrometer, 247, 248 with voltmeter, 255 voltage, 244 |