Textbook Parts
A textbook is much like a book in terms of its three basic parts: 1) front matter, 2) text and 3) back matter. It’s the elements within a chapter that distinguish a textbook from other publications, as we will discuss in the next section. You may also want to review the Textbook writing tutorial on EduTechWiki.
Front Matter
The front matter is the content you find before the first chapter. It often includes the title of the work and information about the edition, publisher and copyright (e.g., a Creative Commons license). It may also include acknowledgements, dedications, a foreword and a table of contents. Other elements may also introduce the reader to the subject. For example, a history book may include a timeline of events.
The front matter is also a good place to include information about the author(s), in the form of a biographical information, requests for adoption notification, peer review methodology, and instructions for submitting errata and feedback.
Main Body/Text
The text is the body of the book. It’s typically divided into chapters at a minimum. Textbooks often organized further through the implementation of consistent pedagogical elements (a concept explored later in this unit).
Back Matter
The back matter is the content you find after the chapters that often supports the text. For example, source notes, appendixes, a glossary, and an index.
A Note on Page Numbers
Page numbers are necessary for printed books, but may or may not be included in e-books.
- recto: right-hand page numbering
- verso: left-hand page numbering
Every page is counted. That means that the first page of chapter one may actually be page 8, because of the preceding pages of front matter.