Appendix: Parts of a text
Textbook parts
A Pressbook text can have the following parts. Required parts are marked with an *.
Front matter
The front matter is the introductory section of your textbook and the first thing readers see. If you’re using an authoring platform such as Pressbooks, the system will set up some of these sections for you, including a copyright page and a table of contents. The following table lists the items typically included in the front matter and the order in which they appear. While most open textbooks will have many of these elements, very few will have all of them. Only include the sections relevant to your textbook.
| Item | Responsibility | Purpose |
| Half title | Publisher | Includes just the title of the book on the recto (front side of the page) with a blank verso (back side of the page). |
| Title page* | Publisher | Book title is repeated along with subtitle (if any), author(s) and/or editor(s), and illustrator (if any). |
| Copyright page* | Publisher | On the verso of title page, the following may be included:
|
| Disclaimers | Publisher | These can appear on the colophon or separately after the title page. |
| Dedication | Author | The person or people for whom the author has written or dedicated the book. |
| Table of contents* | Publisher | A list of all parts and chapters (or chapters and chapter sections) together with their respective page numbers. Front-matter items that appear after the table of contents are also included. |
| About this book* | Publisher | This page is used to define open textbooks and other OER, and any other unique features for this type of book. Funding provided by the author’s institution, a public body, or philanthropic organization can also be noted. |
| List of illustrations and/or tables | Publisher | This summary is useful for the reader. |
| Foreword | Author | Expert (not the author). The forward is typically written by an outside expert in the field at the request of the primary author. The foreword author’s name, place, and date are included at the end of the statement. |
| Preface | Author | The author uses the preface to explain why and how they came to write the book. They might also describe their expertise in the subject area. |
| Acknowledgments | Author | This is a list of individuals whom the author acknowledges for their contributions and assistance. |
| Introduction | Author | This introduction describes the book’s contents as a whole. The book’s theme, layout, special features, and how instructors can make the best use of it, can also be included. The author may also create a “How to Use This Book” section if more fitting. |
| List of abbreviations | Author | This list of abbreviations and their meanings is useful for the reader. |
| Accessibility statement* | Publisher | If the book has been written and designed to be accessible, provide a description of how this was done and various options people have when accessing the book. Indicate the standards that have been followed, and provide contact information for where people can report any accessibility issues. |
| Publisher’s, translator’s, or editor’s notes | Publisher | This information provides background on various aspects of the book’s creation depending on who writes the notes. |
Back matter
Items at the end, or as part of the back matter, of a textbook are typically supplements to the main text.
| Item | Responsibility | Purpose |
| Appendix / appendices | Author | An appendix provides supplementary material to information found in the main work. In cases where there are more than one appendices, they can be numbered and described for easier reference. |
| Glossary | Author | The glossary is a list of keywords or terms used within the book and their definitions. These terms are listed alphabetically. Many authors will highlight key terms when first defined in-text using bold or italics. |
| Reference list | Author | A reference list notes all resources cited within a textbook and lists them alphabetically by the author’s last name. |
| Bibliography* | Author | Typically, a bibliography refers to all works used as references within a textbook, both cited and read as background in preparation for writing. Note: A bibliography is not used by all style guides. |
| Suggested readings | Author | A list of additional books, articles, and other readings can be included here for students. Some authors choose to add suggested-reading lists, targeted at the subject covered in a chapter at the end of each chapter. |
| Resources | Author | A list of helpful resources, such as videos and tools, can be added here. |
| About the author / Bio* | Publisher | This page has author’s biography followed by the biographies of any contributing authors listed in alphabetical order. This description is professional in nature and describes the author’s expertise, experience, and training in the textbook’s subject matter. |
| Index | Publisher | This list of keywords and terms is laid out alphabetically and includes the page numbers of where they can be found. Indexes are often left out of open textbooks, especially those available online, because keywords and terms can be easily found using the search field. In addition, because open textbooks are often available in a number of formats, it’s difficult to provide an index that will be useful in all formats. |
| Versioning history* | Publisher | As open textbooks are often digital and available online, there is a certain expectation that minor corrections and updates be made as necessary, even after the book is live and completed. This page provides information about how to report an error in the textbook, as well as a record of any updates and changes made in the textbook and the date of those changes. |
Attributions
Front Matter and Back Matter tables: Some of this information was taken from Book design on Wikipedia and is used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 Licence.
“Book Elements: A Literary Anatomy Lesson,” Authors.me, October 12, 2016, https://www.authors.me/the-anatomy-of-a-book/ (accessed January 16, 2018), and “What is Back Matter,” Scribendi, https://www.scribendi.com/advice/what_is_back_matter.en.html (accessed January 16, 2018).
“Book Elements: A Literary Anatomy Lesson,” Authors.me, October 12, 2016, https://www.authors.me/the-anatomy-of-a-book/ (accessed January 16, 2018), and “What is Back Matter,” Scribendi, https://www.scribendi.com/advice/what_is_back_matter.en.html (accessed January 16, 2018).
