Parts of a book

It is strange that a reader stops to analyze all the parts of a book. Usually, the characteristics about the design of this valuable resource go unnoticed., since its content is considered the most relevant. Obviating this appreciation, in the structure of a book we find elements of great importance, which we must not overlook.

The book has been a determining factor in the development of human civilization. It can be classified, in fact, as the ark that safeguards the knowledge of men. Currently, readers have at their disposal both printed and digital books. The latter differ from their tangible versions only by their external structure, however, they coincide in their interior elements. The following will explain in detail how this exceptional resource is composed:

The parts of a book

First of all, we must clarify that —according to UNESCO— For a book to be considered as such, it must have at least 49 pages. Otherwise, if this number is lower, it is listed as a brochure. Having clarified this point, a book is made up of two main structures: external and internal.

External structure of a book

It is made up of all those parts whose main function is to protect the sheets of a book. Among them we have:

Dust jacket

It is also called a "shirt" or "overall". It is a strip of paper (commonly opaque) with the same height as the book that serves as the lining.

Cover

It is the external part that protects the book. It is usually made of a thick material such as cardboard, leather or plastic. In it we find the title of the work, author and possibly some illustrations in order to make it more distinctive and at the same time more attractive to readers. The back cover is called the back cover.

You keep

Guards are those sheets of paper folded in half that join the cover and back cover with the inside of the book. These can be blank or with a specific design. Its function is, practically, decorative. Sometimes we can get saved on a paper thicker than that of the pages of the book.

Lapels

They are those additional tabs that can be part of the dust jacket or cover. In them you will find - in most cases - the biography of the author or a synopsis of the book. It is sometimes used as a separator by some readers.

Lomo

It is where all the sheets of a book are attached. Depending on the number of sheets, they can come stapled, glued or sewn to it. In the spine we get data such as:

• Title of the book.
• Author's name.
• Publisher's stamp.
• Collection number.

This part is essential, especially in libraries, as it facilitates the location of the book.

Internal structure of a book

Also called gut, it is the part that contains the leaves of the book. This in turn is comprised of three main segments, which are:

Initial or preliminary pages

They are the set of pages that precede the main body. Among them we have:

Cover

Also called "false cover" or "front cover", It is located before the cover and it is the first page that contains the title of the book and the name of the author (summarized).

Back cover

It is the reverse or verse of the title page, which faces the title page. In it we can find a brief summary of the work and interesting facts such as about the collection. It is also known by names like:

• Front cover.
• Front cover.
• Front.
• Illustrated cover.

Front or Facade

This can sometimes be considered the first page of a book. Sure, although it is not listed. It contains the full title of the work and name of the author, as well as data such as:

• Publication date.
• Editorial collection.
• Mark.

Credits page

It is also called a legal page. We find it just after the cover and it contains all the data regarding the copyright holder, ISBN and legal deposit. Additionally, it must contain data such as the company name and address of the publishing company along with the year of publication of the issue.

Dedication

It is the page where we can find some words of the author dedicating his work to one or more people.

Epigraph

Also called a "motto", it is a page that quotes a text by a different author than the one who signed the book. This can save information about what inspired the writer or some common theme with the content.

Preface or introduction

The author gives an outline of what the book will be about and what the reader will find in it.

Foreword

It is also known as a preamble. This page contains a presentation to the content. It is located in the preliminary pages of the book and may be written by the author or an expert in the work.

Table of Contents

It can be located on the front or back pages of the book. This groups the content of the work organized by chapters in the form of an outline. It is essential to locate any specific information. In some cases we can find it under the name of "summary" or "table of contents".

Subscriber lists

Contains detailed information about abbreviations, charts or tables that can help to synthesize the book.

Main body

It is the block that has the largest number of pages, since it contains the essence of the book. Without the main body, a book cannot exist. The other parts are supplements to it. It can be subdivided in turn into:

• Chapters
• Sections
• Lessons.

Final pages

These are found after the main body. As their name describes them, they are found at the end of the book. Among these, we have:

Epílogo

This part makes a recapitulation of all the content of the work. In turn, it also tends to resolve unfinished plots and give a definitive conclusion.

Conclusion

This part makes a total summary of the work in a general way.

Appendix or annexes

It contains complementary information about the work. It contains less essential aspects that can help us understand certain passages.

Bibliography

In this part, any type of source in which the author could have been supported is cited. for the realization of the work.

Notes

In some cases we get the notes at the end of the book, although these can also be at the bottom of the page.

Glossary

In this part we get specific terms with their meaning to help you understand the work clearly.

Biography

It includes the details of the entire trajectory of the author. We can find it at the end of the book or on the flap.

Colophon

It contains the printing data of the book and the date of the book. We almost always find it on the last page.