What question did this study set out to answer?

This article aims to clarify the concept of passing mentions in book indexing and provide a systematic decision-making tool.

June 18, 2026

What not to index: a flow chart for passing mentions in book indexing

Key Points

This article aims to clarify the concept of passing mentions in book indexing and provide a systematic decision-making tool.
Analyzes the criteria for identifying passing mentions based on text context and proximity to main topics.
Reviews the limitations faced during indexing, including editor's decision fatigue and inconsistencies.
Introduces a flow chart to guide decision-making related to passing mentions.
Clarified the complexities of distinguishing passing mentions from indexable entries.
Proposed a structured flow chart to streamline the indexing process.
Considered scenarios where flexibility in indexing rules may be necessary.

Abstract

Passing mentions are commonly identified based on their proximity to the metatopic, their contextual placement in the text, and reader satisfaction upon following an index entry to its location on the page. But certain kinds of text and index limitations can make sorting out passing mentions from indexable entries more complicated and decision fatigue can lead to inconsistencies and missed material. In this article, Emma Warnken Johnson reviews the concept of passing mentions before offering a flow chart for the passing-mention decision process, along the way analyzing the steps and considering when and how to break the rules in book indexing.

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Cite This Study

Emma Warnken Johnson (Tue,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a338a08630953a74978c4c7 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3828/index.2026.16

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