Mastering Book Structure and Bibliographic Citations

Internal Structure of a Book

Preface: The preface is known for its function to inform the general reader about the content and claims of the text.

Introduction: This section provides specific information that arises from the book, including its name and its relation to other subjects.

Chapters: Also called units, these are the main parts or divisions of the large contents of a book.

Index: This is a list of the thematic content of a work and the page numbers where mentions are found. There are different types of indicators: general, analytical, artwork, onomastic, and glossary.

Notes: In reading, these are indicated by asterisks and small numbers. Their function is to clarify the meaning of a term or an expression.

Colophon: This is the note placed at the end of the book to indicate the printer's name, the date of conclusion of the book, and the number of copies printed.

General Bibliographic Format

• Author's Name: When recording the author, the surname is listed first, followed by the first name. Separate names by a comma. When there are two or more authors, the second and third are placed after their names; from the fourth author onwards, use "et al."
• Title of the Book: This is written underlined and in initial caps, similar to proper names.
• Name of the Translator: First, write the abbreviation "Tr." and then the name, which is placed in brackets.
• Publisher: The name of the publisher is listed directly.
• Number of Editions: Written in the final paragraph (e.g., 12th ed.).
• Place: Reference to the name of the city where it was printed (e.g., "Mérida, Mexico").
• Year: The year of publication (e.g., 1990). When data is missing, use: S/A (no author), S.L. (without location), S.E. (no publishing house), or S.A. (no year).
• Volume Number: Used for series or encyclopedias (e.g., v.5).
• Number of Pages: Place the total number of pages (e.g., 509pp.).
• Series or Collection: Located at the end of the bibliographic record and enclosed in parentheses (e.g., Collection "Castaway", No. 13).

Particular Bibliographic Records

Particular Bibliographic Tab: Used when registering an article published in an anthology. Enter the author's name, the article title in quotes, followed by the link "in," and then the name of the work highlighted. Example: Rulfo, Juan, "Tell them to kill me," in Free Mexico, Gredos, 5th ed., Santander, 1999, pp. 183-186.

Worksheets and Content Analysis

Worksheets: The measures are 12.5 x 20.5 cm. The subject and content of the ballot are placed in the upper left. In the upper right, the author's first and last name are entered, along with the underlined title of the source and the ratio of pages viewed. The corresponding target number is placed in the upper right, enclosed in a rectangle.

Forms of Content Processing

• Paraphrase Form: Changing the text into our own words using different signifiers.
• Synthesis Form: A transcription that removes useless parts while keeping the most important information and adding necessary links.
• Summary Form: Does not apply any specific technique; sometimes important information is inadvertently omitted.
• Quote Form: Reproduces a text or part of it due to its importance.
• Comment Form: Includes tips and personal opinions on a topic.