THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES definitions of key indexing terms, and an overview of standards that are relevant to indexers.

Definitions

Here we define the key terms to do with indexing, especially some which are used in many ways. Specialist terms are defined in the sections they relate to, and are indexed under the topic.

Let us look at some typical index entries:

We can define these entries as follows:

• ‘Islam’ is a heading, also called a main heading or main entry – the term chosen to represent an item or concept.

• ‘see also Muslims’ is a type of cross-reference, called a ‘see also reference’.

• ‘aggression condemned by’ is the first subheading under ‘Islam’. The three lines below are also subheadings; also known as subdivisions and subentries. According to the AS/NZS 999 standard (section 3.8), a subheading is a ‘heading that is subsumed under a heading to indicate a subordinate or modifying relationship’. A subheading may have one or more subsubheadings.

• ‘200–202’ is a locator – in this case a page number reference.

• ‘lost between cultures’ is a non-preferred term or entry point, that is, a term that is included in the index to lead you to another term.

• ‘see culture clash’ is a type of cross-reference, called a ‘see reference’.

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