Talk:Index (publishing)

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[edit] A map of contents?

I deleted "Ideally, an index is not simply a list of the major terms in a publication, but an organized map of its contents." Indexes are usually simply lists, not "maps", aren't they? Nurg 05:54, 14 May 2006 (UTC)

Actually no, they aren't. An index is far more than just a list of terms -- that is more properly called a concordance. An index makes connections among terms in the text (see also references), groups like concepts to make it easier for the reader to find all references to a topic, identifies preferred terms but also adds common terms under which the average reader might expect to find something with a "see" reference directing them to the correct term, and much much more. Bookgrrl 14:30, 18 May 2006 (UTC)

You may be confusing the word 'map'. This is not referring to a literal atlas or triptick. This is referring to the use of the word map that is used in relation with mathematics and computing, in that it is a link (rather, a set of links) between you and the content. A set of links, or the transformation of the understanding of your expectation of content, to the actual content, can thought of as "mapping" the content. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jfroelich (talk • contribs) 19:13, 8 January 2007 (UTC).