information. For example, they read an account of a legal rule and wish to find
and read other parts of the text that discuss this rule.
To cater for the needs of those who wish to access specific information texts
should contain various finding aids. These aids are in two classes according to
how the reader will search for the information.
First, there are readers who want to go directly to the information sought.
Some of the main aids for this are the following:
(1)
Table of contents.
(2)
Index.
(3)
Special tables. Ideally any important and recurring information should
be accessible by a specially prepared table. In law books, two obvious
examples are the table of cases and table of statutes. Social science books
typically have, and law books should have, a table of proper names (to pick
up references to authors and thinkers). Other possibilities are a table of
photographs, a table of graphs, a table of diagrams, and a table of places.
Second, there are readers who will browse through a text looking for specific
information. Usually they browse because they cannot find the information by
direct inquiry using devices such as the table of contents, the index and the
tables. These readers will gain great advantage from a summary or outline,
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and from headings and subheadings throughout the text.
Defining Location
To facilitate citation of information in a text, and retrieval of information from
it, a text needs to have a device for defining a location within it. Two methods
are commonly used, page number and paragraph number. These methods and
their benefits are discussed later.
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Finding Location
Tables of various
sorts are the main tools for finding where information is
located. Law texts usually have tables of contents, statutes and cases, as well
as an index. They could also usefully adopt the practice of the social sciences
and have a table of proper names. They should also have a table for any other
appropriate item used in the text; for example if there are a lot of diagrams or
photographs there should be accompanying tables.
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This can be in any of several places, for example the preface, a
chapter introducing the book or a part of the book, at the beginning or
end of a chapter, or in a designated “Summary”.
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Chapter 5 Characteristics of a Text
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