Front Matter

Front matter is the stuff that goes at the beginning of the book. Pressbooks lets you specify 21 types of front matter, including Miscellaneous.

• No front matter type
• Abstract: Author
  • It summarizes the content of the book in no more than 200 words.
• Acknowledgements: Author
  • This is a list of individuals whom the author acknowledges for their contributions and assistance.
• Before Title Page: Publisher:
  • Includes just the title of the book on the recto (front side of the page) with a blank verso (back side of the page).
• Chronology, Timeline
  • A chronological list of events may be helpful for the reader. If is not critical to the reader’s understanding of the book it may appear as back-matter.
• Dedication: Author
  • The person or people for whom the author has written or dedicated the book.
• Disclaimer: Publisher
  • These can appear on the colophon or separately after the title page.
• Epigraph: Author
  • A quotation.
• Foreword: Expert (not the author)
  • The forward is typically written by an outside expert in the field at the request of the primary author. The foreword author’s name, place, and date are included at the end of the statement.
• Genealogy, Family Tree: Author
  • Is a chart representing family relationships in a conventional tree structure.
• Image Credits: Publisher
  • Identifies the photographers, illustrators, or copyright holder for images.
• Introduction: Author
  • This introduction describes the book contents as a whole. The book’s theme, layout, special features, and how instructors can make the best use of it, can also be included. The author may also create a “How to Use This Book” section if more fitting.
• List of Abbreviations: Publisher
  • This list of abbreviations and their meanings is useful for the reader.
• List of Characters: Publisher
  • This list of Characters is useful for the reader.
• List of Illustrations: Publisher
  • This list of Illustrations is useful for the reader.
• List of Tables: Publisher
  • This List of Tables is useful for the reader.
• Miscellaneous: Publisher/Author
  • Consisting of a mixture of various things that are not usually connected with each other:
• Other Books by Author: Publisher
  • Mention the author’s books.
• Preface: Author
  • The author uses the preface to explain why and how they came to write the book. They might also describe their expertise in the subject area.
• Prologue: Author
  • A prologue usually provides the background details that are necessary to have before the start of the book itself.
• Recommended Citation:
• Title Page: Publisher:
  • Book title is repeated along with subtitle (if any), author(s) and/or editor(s), and illustrator (if any).

Other recommended Front matter types are:

• About this book: Publisher
  • This page is used to define open textbooks and other OER, and any other unique features for this type of book. Author’s institution can also be noted.
• Accessibility statement: Publisher
  • Provide a description of how this was done and various options people have when accessing the book. Indicate the standards that have been followed, and provide contact information for where people can report any accessibility issues.
• Copyright page: Publisher
  • On the verso of title page, the following may be included: open-licence information (type, definition, where to obtain free copy of book)
    • if an adaptation, the changes made
    • attribution for cover image
    • publisher’s name and address
    • copyright notice
    • ISBN
    • date of publication and publishing history
    • printing information
• Publisher’s, translator’s, or editor’s notes: Publisher
  • This information provides background on various aspects of the book’s creation depending on who writes the notes.
• Table of contents: Publisher
  • A list of all parts and chapters (or chapters and chapter sections) together with their respective page numbers. Front-matter items that appear after the table of contents are also included.

More information: https://opentextbc.ca/selfpublishguide/chapter/textbook-outline