Preparation of Preliminary Pages

Clients are sometimes so focused on their text that they forget about other required elements. Help them by making sure that all applicable preliminary pages (cover, title page, copyright page, contents, etc.) are developed. The earlier you pull everything together, the better.

The preliminary pages are:

  1. Cover
  2. Title page
  3. Copyright page
  4. Contents
  5. List of tables and figures
  6. Foreword
  7. Preface
  8. Acknowledgements
  • Cover
    • Covers always contain the title of the publication. The cover also presents the corporate "look" of the publication, including applicable Federal Identity Program (FIP) identifiers. For short publications, such as brochures, pamphlets and flyers, the first panel or page is considered the cover.
  • Title page
    • In book format, the title page is usually the first right-hand page following the cover. It must include the following:
      • the title of the publication
      • the date of publication (month—optional; year—mandatory)
    • The title page may also include the name of the responsible branch, and/or sector, if applicable.
    • Normally, corporate identity symbols do not appear on the title page.
    • If a publication, such as a short publication, has no title page, the publication date must still be included.
  • Contents
    • Use the title "Contents" and not "Table of Contents."
    • Do not write the word "Page" at the top of the column of page numbers.
    • Do not feel obliged to include every level of subheading in the contents, but be consistent; that is, include all of a particular level of headings or none.
    • Do not include any material that precedes the contents. Do include all main headings and sections (including appendices and other back matter).
    • Be sure the headings listed in the contents match those in the text, and always double-check the page numbers on the contents page against those in the text.
  • List of tables and figures
    • Short publications, especially if they have few graphic elements, do not need a list of tables and figures. In books and longer reports that contain a great many tables and figures, however, a list of these graphics will make it easier to find them and to refer to them in the text.
    • A list of tables and figures can be included as part of the contents page. Put it at the end of the contents page, with its own heading"List of Tables" or "List of Figures," as appropriate.
  • Foreword
    • A foreword is usually written by someone other than the author. In many departmental publications, the foreword takes the form of a minister's (or other senior official's) message, in which case it would be the first printed right-hand page following the copyright page.
    • Use the following signature block format for such messages:

      Christian Paradis
      Minister of Industry

      ________________________________________

      Maxime Bernier
      Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)

      ________________________________________

      Gary Goodyear
      Minister of State (Science and Technology)

      ________________________________________

      Richard Dicerni
      Deputy Minister

      Note that "the Honourable" and similar titles of respect never appear in signature blocks.

  • Preface
    • An author's preface introduces the publication, states its purpose, and may explain the author's methods of research and offer brief acknowledgements (if these are extensive, they may be given on a separate acknowledgements page).
    • An introduction can be relatively brief, in which case it may be no different from a preface and may be included as part of the front matter. However, if the introduction is longer, giving historical background or otherwise establishing the context for what follows in the publication, it may constitute chapter one of the main text.
  • Acknowledgements
    • This page should not identify individual public servants. However, it may acknowledge the contributions of any special committees or thank all those who assisted in preparing the publication.
    • It may also express appreciation for some individual sources of information, even though a discussion of information sources may subsequently be part of a foreword, preface or introduction to the publication.
    • In some cases, particularly in shorter publications, brief acknowledgements may be included on the copyright page.