17. Generating Outlines, Tables of Contents, and Indexes

Long documents work better when they include elements that help the reader navigate and find information. This chapter introduces you to three tools that are essential for long or complex documents: outlines, tables of contents, and indexes.

Imagine that you need to replace a fuse in your car, so you dig out the owner’s manual to learn how. Now, imagine that the manual doesn’t have a table of contents or an index. You could spend more time finding the information than changing the fuse! To a reader, this is like being stuck in a strange place without a map.

Sometimes writers need maps, too. They’re called outlines. If you prepare an outline before you start writing, your document will ...

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