Analyze
and arrange arguments, names, concepts, and terms so that the reader
can locate them easily.
Break
up long strings of locators by creating additional subentries.
Be
Consistent in phrasing (be consistent in the use noun and noun
phrases for headings, and in the use of verb tense, prepositions,
punctuation, alphabetization, etc.).
Direct the reader to where the information is: don’t retell
the book.
Explain in a headnote the special features or limitations of the index.
Be
Faithful to the text and the author’s point of view.
Group scattered references to the same or similar subjects, using
headings and subheadings, cross-references, and/or double-posting.
Highlight the major arguments by providing good access to them through
proper word choice for the headings,
adequate subheadings, and ample cross-references.
Identify abbreviations, acronyms, and different people with the same name.
Jump
from text to index and back again to ensure that major topics
have been covered completely.
Keep the keyword first in a subentry.
Locate accurate locators in the text.
Make
sure there’s a clear (preferably
grammatical) relationship between heading and subheading.
Notice whether the index’s format makes for ease of reading or
scanning.
Offer multiple entry points into the text.
Provide entries to all significant information in the text.
Query the author or editor about things that don’t make sense.
Read the entire text before beginning to index, particularly in a book
that has an argument.
Spellcheck the index before turning it in.
Tighten
up subheadings; combine redundant ones.
Use succinct
language.
Visualize the index’s readers and anticipate their
needs.
Weigh the author’s preferred terms and make appropriate “see” references
from non-preferred
terms to the preferred one.
X-Out mechanical
errors, such as errors of capitalization, punctuation,alphabetization.
Yoke together related concepts through appropriate “see also” cross-references.
Zero in on subheadings with only one locator
and eliminate
them.
