As indexers, we all know that our choice of words is important. We also know that language is dynamic so we need to be aware of current usage, sometimes even “politically correct” usages. In medical, scientific, or technical indexing we are often dealing with terms that have very specific definitions so it is easy to…
Category: Term selection
Time to edit this index….
I’ve just finished an index from the second-pass proofs of a comprehensive medical book (it includes all systems, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, et cetera). The book is 672 pages of very condensed information in an almost tabular format so the material is written in a terse manner (to say the least). Needless to say, it’s a…
Unbiased language….
When we’re writing an index we try to reflect the intent of the author with our phrasing of the index entries. Since much of my indexing is technical and factual I had not thought much about biased language in index writing. Usually…. However, on at least on indexing project I really did have to give…
Term selection article
From Potomac Indexing, a good article on term selection–a major indexing activity!
Graffito Indexing 