OT TOC size

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DocA - 28 Oct 2004 11:47 GMT

Hi,

A while ago I came across a technical writing recommendation regarding the
size a TOC should be with respect to the document it pertains to. If I
remember correctly, the guideline for user manuals was that there should be
1 TOC page per 30 document pages. Does this sound right?

Thanks,

Adrian

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Jezebel - 28 Oct 2004 13:49 GMT

It does feel about right as a practical observation, but I'm very wary of
that sort of generalization: it depends a lot on the nature of the content.
The more the document is used for reference (rather than a guide that one
sits down and reads), the more detail you need in the TOC.

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Adrian

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Suzanne S. Barnhill - 28 Oct 2004 14:18 GMT

That seems to me like rather a lot. I would prefer to have a really good
index, I think, and a less extensive TOC. At the very least, provide a
"Contents at a Glance" overview in addition to the detailed TOC.

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Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
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> It does feel about right as a practical observation, but I'm very wary of
> that sort of generalization: it depends a lot on the nature of the content.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> >
> > Adrian

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DocA - 04 Nov 2004 09:48 GMT

Thank you Jezebel and Suzanne for your replies.

Adrian

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Adrian

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