There are two ways of compiling an index for your essay: (1) the right way, which takes about 2 hours; (2) the wrong way, which takes a little longer, is useless for the book project, and the work will have to be done over.
As you might guess, we not only recommend #1, we (the editors and assistants) require it.
The right way is to assemble what is called a CONCORDANCE. This is a .docx file with two columns. In the right-hand column are all of the terms as they will appear in the index. In the left-hand column are the search terms that will, in the assembled book file, scan all the texts to find instances of the index term.
Example:
search term index term
Kojève Kojève, Alexandre
For general terms, something else is required. Because the search is case-sensitive, two samples must be given. To find all the instances of the index term parapraxis, for example, you must list both parapraxis and Parapraxis.
But, if you use the expression “parapractic,” does that also have to appear twice?
The search term can be a clipped version that will cover multiple cases. Parapra and parapra will find both “parapraxis,” upper and lower case instances, and “parapractic/Parapractic.” Since no other word uses “parapra” it is safe to use this clipped form to find both the noun and adjective form.
As authors’ indices are collated, many terms will be common and it is unnecessary for each essay to index items that are already contained in the compiled index.
To check the status of the latest version of the combined indices, FOLLOW THIS LINK. Note: straight quotes will be converted to curly quotes during the compilation process.
how does a concordance work?
A concordance is a .docx file that is used in combination with the text file, also .docx, to initiate a search and organize an index that can be inserted in the text file. Although index markers can be placed directly into the text, they are in a 1:1 relation to the index term, and the index would not search across collected text files to find instances of any one index term.
A concordance can be accumulated as authors submit work, and new index terms can be reconciled with existing ones. With multiple authors and multiple essays, it’s the only way to manage the index, but it also saves the editors enormous effort and is easier for authors to use, since it is only a matter of listing index terms and search terms in two columns of table.
For more information see Jason Morrell’s video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnYWmfxDOag
also Chris Menard: