Book Template Glossary
A book glossary is a list of terms and definitions that frequently appears at the end or as one of the last sections in a book. The words are listed in alphabetical order with the corresponding definition following each one. Some glossaries include only a brief definition as the term applies to the use of the word in the works. Other glossaries elaborate with a pronunciation account similar to a dictionary, especially if the term is uncommon. A book template glossary is a section prepared for you to input terms and definitions.
A bilingual glossary includes terms listed in one language and defined in a second language. The terms might also include synonyms in the second language.
APA Style
When using the APA writing style, keep descriptions neutral with word usage. Keep away from language that is gender specific when feasible. If you are referring to a specific person such as Abraham Lincoln, you can use the pronoun ‘he’ or in the case of a female such as Betsy Ross use ‘she.’ If you are describing a group of all women, you can also use female pronouns. Otherwise use a generic description such as ‘the group’ or ‘people’.
Consider the endurance of the words you choose and if they are trendy and might become dated in a few years. Avoid acronyms for use in descriptions unless you define them at the place of use.
How to Choose What Words to Include in a Book Glossary
You can choose what words and or phrases you want to include in your book’s glossary. Some guidelines for selecting the terms you want to include in your glossary:
• Words or phrases that are specific to an industry, business, science, or other particular subject matter should be included in the glossary.
• Words that have been coined (by you or others)
• Acronyms you think are important for your readers that they might be unfamiliar with.
• Foreign language words
• Slang words
• Uncommon technology words
• Particular products, systems, processes
Book Glossary Example
Sample Entry One:
Book template – A predesigned set of values in a software program or in printed form for creating books to certain specifications. These specifications can include font sizes and styles, line spacing, paragraph settings, indentions, margins, screen or paper size, heading and footer styles, colors, page numbering, custom created graphics, special information, and more. They can also include specific sections such as a cover page, foreword, copyright page, table of contents, index, glossary, appendix, about the author page and so on.
As with all sections you can omit this one or delete the description and create your own glossary.
Sample Entry Two:
Template: noun, [tem-plit] a document designed with such sections and items as headings, a table of contents, preset margins, style choices, headers and footers and so on for creating a book.
Bilingual Glossary Sample Entry:
Sagoma: (Italian) English: template; a document designed with such sections and items as headings, a table of contents, preset margins, style choices, headers and footers and so on for creating a book.
Check more than one dictionary and resource to obtain accurate information for your glossary entries.
Book Glossary as an Opportunity
A glossary is an opportunity for live reference links and affiliate links in eBooks.
Book Glossary Resources
http://www.babylon.com/products/glossary-builder/
Writing Book Glossary Definitions
1. In order to write word or phrase definitions for your glossary first verify the type of word and how the word is used in your text. A word can be a:
Noun: A person, place, or thing. A thing can be an idea or state for example “trepidation” or “meditation”.
Pronoun: A word that replaces a noun such as it, him, her, us, them and so on.
Adjective: A word that explains or modifies a noun. For instance, a red car, a fast runner, or a dangerous cliff.
Verb: This is a word that describes action such as run, walk, and jump, think and so on.
Adverb: A word that modifies a verb or an adjective. Example: The car ran poorly. She fell harshly. That’s a sick bike.
Conjunction: When two independent clauses are joined by a word. For example: for, nor, or, but and so.
Preposition: This word depicts the location of a thing. For instance; under, over, above, into, at, during, to, inside.
Interjection: This is a sort of exclamation that might not relate to the sentence where interjected. These include words and phrase such as oh no, look out, awesome, wow, yikes, ouch, hmm, and oh yea!
You can also explore your grammatical use of the word to assess if a noun is countable or uncountable, or a verb is transitive or intransitive.
2. Review how you have used the word or phrase in your book to set the tone of your definition in the glossary.
3. Review synonyms of the word and determine the differences. For example what are the differences between the words strong, capable, durable and well made? Occasionally during this process you might find there is a better word for use in your book than the original choice.
4. Review antonyms to help define your word.
5. Write a description of your word without using any synonyms if possible. Then choose synonyms if necessary.
6. Look for common words that help define less known words. For example:
Loutish – bad mannered, clowning, impolite.
7. Avoid descriptive introductions in your definitions such as:
This word describes…
Used to point out…
Depicts a condition when…
A good rule of thumb is when defining verbs you will often use the word ‘to’ in the beginning. For example instance, the word ‘run’ could be defined as, ‘To move swiftly’ or ‘To jog fast.’
When defining nouns definitions commonly start with ‘the’ or ’a.’
8. Proofread and check the relevancy of your definition with the use in your book.
More on writing definitions:
http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/writingc/handouts/definitions.htm
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/622/01/
See book template with glossary.