The Anatomy of a Book

What You Will Learn

• Name the parts of front matter, body, and back matter
• Arrange the parts of a book in a standard order
• Build a table of contents for your own book
• Decide which optional parts your book needs

Lesson Notes

Three Sections of Every Book

Pick up almost any book and you will find three sections. Front matter comes before the main text. The body is the main text itself. Back matter comes after. Readers expect this order, and following it makes your book look professional.

Luke wrote his Gospel in order (Luke 1:3) so that his reader would know the certainty of what he had been taught. Order serves the reader.

Front Matter

Common front matter, in a typical order:

• Title page: title, subtitle, author name.
• Copyright page: copyright notice, ISBN, Scripture attribution, and other notices (Module 6).
• Dedication (optional): a short line honoring someone.
• Epigraph (optional): a short quotation or verse that sets the tone.
• Table of contents.
• Foreword (written by someone else) or preface/introduction (written by you), both optional.

Many books also include a half-title page (title only) before the title page. Look at several books to see how they do it.

The Body

The body holds your chapters, devotions, or parts. Each chapter usually starts on a new page, often on a right-hand page in print. Give chapters titles that are clear and consistent in style. A devotional might be organized by days or weeks; a memoir by seasons or turning points. Your story map from CWP 221 may become your chapter list.

Back Matter

Common back matter includes acknowledgments, an about the author page, notes or sources, resources (for example, a list of hotlines or ministries, verified and current), discussion questions for small groups, and an invitation to contact the author or ministry. Only include contact information that is safe and permitted under any conditions of release.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Book Dissection

Examine two books from the library or classroom. List every part of the front matter and back matter in order. Note one thing each book does well.

Sort the Pages

Your instructor will give you 12 cards, each naming a part of a book. Arrange them in a standard order and label each card Front, Body, or Back.

Assignment: My Book Blueprint

Create a one-page blueprint for your book:

• A list of front matter you will include, in order.
• A draft table of contents with chapter or section titles (at least six entries).
• A list of back matter you will include.
• One sentence explaining any optional part you chose (such as a dedication or discussion questions).

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

First Corinthians 14:40 calls for all things to be done decently and in order. How has God been bringing order to your life and your story? What part of your book still feels out of order?

Prayer focus: Ask God to bring order to your book and to your days, so that both serve others well.

Everything in Its Place

Open any book and notice its order: a title page, a copyright page, perhaps a dedication, a table of contents, then the chapters, then acknowledgments and a page about the author. Readers rarely think about this order, but they feel it when it is missing.

Luke wrote his Gospel in order so that Theophilus might know the certainty of the things he had been taught (Luke 1:3–4). Order is not stiffness. It is kindness to readers, helping them find their way.

Your table of contents is a map of your story. As you build it, you may notice gaps or repeated chapters. That is good. The blueprint shows what the book needs before you spend time and money producing it.

Think about your dedication and acknowledgments. Who prayed for you, taught you, or believed in you? A single line of thanks in the front or back of a book can honor someone for years.

Think About It

1. Who might you dedicate your book to? ______________________
2. What back matter would help your reader take a next step? ______________________
3. Which part of your table of contents feels strongest? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 2

Decently and in Order

Let all things be done decently and in order.— 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)

God values order because it serves people. A well-ordered book serves its readers.

Reflect: Where is God bringing order to your life?

Pray: Lord, bring order to my work and my days.

Do: Arrange your book's parts in order on one page.

Written in Order

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus.— Luke 1:3 (KJV)

Luke took care to write in order for one reader. Your care helps your readers too.

Reflect: Who is the one reader you picture?

Pray: Lord, help me write with care for my reader.

Do: Write a note to your imagined reader.

Give Thanks

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

Acknowledgments are written gratitude. Thankfulness shapes the heart.

Reflect: Who are you thankful for in your writing journey?

Pray: Lord, thank You for the people who helped me.

Do: Draft three lines of acknowledgments.

For the Generation to Come

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.— Psalm 102:18 (KJV)

Books outlive their authors. Your words may reach people not yet born.

Reflect: Who in the next generation might read your story?

Pray: Lord, let my words bless those who come after me.

Do: Write a dedication line for a child or grandchild.

A Wise Builder

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.— Proverbs 24:27 (KJV)

Preparation comes before building. A blueprint saves time and heartache.

Reflect: What preparation does your book still need?

Pray: Lord, help me prepare well.

Do: Finish one more entry in your table of contents.