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Do you need an index? Do you wonder if it's easier, quicker and cheaper to do it yourself?

 

If you're asking any of these questions then this article from the Society of Indexers may help:

 

 A professional indexer compiles an ‘analytical’ index – not just a list of keywords. There are no quick fixes for the kind of intellectual analysis required in order to produce the most efficient ‘finding’ and ‘navigation’ tool for a printed or electronic publication. An indexer considers the terms the readers are likely to use and relates them to the language chosen by the author. An indexer analyses the meaning and significance of the entire content in detail, and identifies tangible concepts from the woolliest of descriptions. An indexer knows, for example, that tigers aren’t always tigers – they may also be referred to as ‘big cats’, ‘endangered species’, ‘maneaters’, ‘top predators’, ‘Panthera tigris’ and ‘poaching targets’. And an indexer, unlike keywordbased systems, will ignore such phrases as ‘unlike tigers’ and distinguish between Sumatran and Siberian species.

 

A professionally trained indexer will therefore:

 

  • Connect all the terms used by the author and all those likely to be sought by the reader with a web of cross-references so nothing is missed, no matter where the reader begins to search.

  • Use subheadings to add levels of detail, making retrieval faster and more specific, and preventing readers from having to wade through long strings of page numbers to find what they want.

  • Use qualifying notes to resolve ambiguities.

  • Distinguish between material in footnotes, illustrations and tables.

  • Make sure the index is clear, comprehensive and internally consistent.

  • Tailor the index to fit the available space and conform to your house style.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Therefore, a professional indexer can add value by producing a good quality searchable index for the reader. An author can often be too close to their work to be able to anlyse the text and select keywords. By using an indexer you are helping your readers and costs are recouped through the added value to the work.

 

Do you want to know more? You can contact me here.

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