Introduction

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.

1. Front Matter

The front matter is all the stuff you see before the first page of the first chapter. It includes title, edition, publisher and copyright (Creative Commons license) information. It may also include acknowledgements, dedications, foreword and table of contents. Other elements may also introduce the reader to the subject. For example, if it is a history book it may include a timeline of events.

The front matter is also a good place to include information about the author(s), requests for adoption notification, peer review methodology, and instructions for submitting errata and feedback.

2. Text

The text is the body of the book. It's divided into chapters, which in a textbook are then divided further through consistent pedagogical elements. More on that soon.

3. Back Matter

The back matter is the stuff you find at the back of the book, which supports for text. For example, source notes, appendixes, glossary and 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.