PREFACE CHECKLIST

Difference between a Preface and an Introduction

A preface includes scope, "reasons for undertaking the work, method of research (if this has some bearing on readers' understanding of the text)," and acknowledgements, which may be alternatively in separate section. An introduction about the subject matter of the book belongs "not in the front matter but at the beginning of the text, paged with Arabic numerals."
(Quotations from Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003, sections 1.49 and 1.53.)

You may tailor the items below to your book. Some of these items may not be appropriate.

1. Purpose
   • Why the book was written.
   • Benefits the reader will gain (see also "notable features" & "special features" below).
   • To whom the book is directed.
2. Scope
   • Number of entries / listings/ articles (For A-Z books, this is mandatory).
   • What is included. (In directories, encyclopedias, biographical dictionaries, and other reference books with entries or listings, identify elements that are consistently present, e.g., birth date, death date, further readings, etc.).
   • Number of contributors and a general statement about their qualifications, especially if they are particularly distinguished or notable in some way.
   • Dates covered.
   • Geographic area covered.
   • How the information was collected, if relevant.
   • When the information was collected, if relevant.
   • Notable features (e.g., content never presented before or gathered together before, graphics, resource lists, contributors, etc.).
   • Special auxiliary features (e.g., appendixes, glossaries, special indexes, etc.).
   • Any limitations in scope and the rationale (but not apologies) for these.
   • If book is a new edition, how it differs from the previous edition.
3. Structure
   • A general "tour" of the book, pointing out how it is organized; how to use it.
4. Other
   • Acknowledgments are sometimes worked into the preface.
   • Permissions to reprint text and/or illustrations are sometimes included.