Document glossary

A document glossary (hereinafter, the Glossary) is a list of key terms discussed in a report or another document with their definitions. The Glossary is a conditional part of document's back or, rarely, but possibly, front matter; it is included if the document incorporates terms unfamiliar to the intended audience. When the Glossary is included, it functions as a part of document's structural metadata.

Description

The ANSI/NISO Scientific and Technical Reports standard details,

A conditional section, the glossary is a list of terms defined and explained to facilitate a reader's comprehension of the report when numerous terms requiring definition are used.

The glossary is part of the back matter, and glossary terms may also be defined at their first mention. Glossary terms are arranged in alphabetical order with each on a separate line followed by its definition. The glossary section, titled "Glossary," begins on a new page in print publications. Some organizations may include this section as part of the front matter to ensure that the reader is quickly aware of its existence.

Applicable rules

According to the ANSI/NISO Scientific and Technical Reports standard,

Arrange glossary entries in alphabetical order and align them with the left margin. Uniformly indent subsequent lines or maintain flush left with the left margin and enter a blank line between glossary entries. Begin each definition with a capital letter and end it with a period.