Summary
This article will describe the differences between front matter, text, and back matter.
Instructions
The following lists show what should go in each part of a book, according to the Chicago Manual of Style. Of course, not every book will have every single one of the sections listed, so use your best judgement.
Front Matter
- Book half title
- Series title, frontispiece, or blank page
- Title page
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Table of Contents
- List of Illustrations
- List of Tables
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements (if not part of preface)
- Introduction (if not part of text)
- Abbreviations (if not part of back matter)
- Chronology (if not part of back matter)
Text
- First text page (Introduction or Chapter 1) or:
- Second half title or first part title
- Subsequent part titles and chapters
Back Matter
- Acknowledgements (if not part of front matter)
- Appendix
- Second and subsequent appendixes
- Chronology (if not in front matter)
- Abbreviations (if not in front matter)
- Notes
- Glossary
- Bibliography or References
- Contributors
- Illustration Credits
- Index(es)