Phrasing Chapter - Inside Indexing

Howard Rheingold

In this chapter, we describe the many ways that we use words to direct readers from the index into the text. Our approach is more than merely selecting words from the text. Both of us use phrasing with purpose.

Sherry's wording choices emphasize the author's approach to information. She describes how she uses phrases to reveal and gather his perspectives.

Kari's wording choices are heavily influenced by her perceptions of the audience and their approach to this subject area. She describes how she balances the author's vocabulary with phrasing that provides additional and consistent access for readers.

In our chapter closing, we explore how phrasing establishes and also reveals index structure.

Chapters

Introduction

Audience
How do these indexers' perceptions of the audience influence the development of their indexes?

Analysis
How do these indexers' understandings of the text influence their approaches to creating entries?

Metatopic
How do these indexers' ideas about Fodor's primary topic impact their index structure?

Gathering
How do these indexers collect information and what influenced their decision-making?

Access Routes
How do these indexers develop pathways into the text?

Phrasing
How do these indexers use words and phrases to support the structure of the index?

Consistency
How do these indexers consider and evaluate consistency when implementing the other indexing principles?

Final Chapter
What have we learned from reading about the two indexes and the decision-making behind the entries?

Index
Download a copy of Martha Osgood's index for Inside Indexing.

Acknowledgements