TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
> I include a preface in one software manual that precedes the TOC. The
> preface discusses software support and conventions of the book, but is
not
> about the use of the software product. Use of the software product is
> discussed in the chapters and appendices that follow the TOC. The
preface is
> numbered using Roman numerals.
>
> The Preface and it's headings are included in the TOC, and the Index
refers
> to items in the preface, also.
>
> Is including such a preface before the TOC appropriate? Ought I move
the
> preface and it's contents into the body of the book, thus creating a
regular
> chapter?
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Sean
No, that's right where it belongs. Things like ToC, Preface, copyright
page, etc., are called Frontmatter in the publishing business and, if
they carry page numbers at all, are numbered with lc Roman numerals.
Introduction is a grey area--it can be either FM or in the body of the
book. Whichever chapter actually begins the body of the book begins
Arabic 1.
From a former publisher employee,
Elisabeth B. Zakes
PlanView, Inc., Austin, TX
ezakes -at- planview -dot- com http://www.planview.com
