Note to the Reader
OUP recommends a separate note/guide to the reader when a title needs to explain special conventions, terminology, or presentation, rather than overloading the preface. It is an optional publishing element, not a required section for every book.
A note to the reader is optional front matter used to explain special conventions, terminology, or presentation features that readers need before using the text.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
["Include one only when the reader needs this orientation; its title, length, and placement can vary by publisher."]
Further guidance
Placement
["OUP treats it as optional preliminary/front matter and recommends separating it from the preface when that improves usability."]
Purpose
["Use a note to the reader when readers need brief orientation to conventions, terminology, notation, or special presentation."]
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Front and end matter — Oxford Academic (opens in a new tab)Oxford University Press · OUP book-workflow guidance for forewords, prefaces, half-title/frontispiece, epigraph, illustration/map lists, contributors, reader notes and endpapers