Textbooks
Summary
Textbooks are manuals of instruction that provide mass amounts of information in any branch of study. They can be used to provide a portable way to research and study a specific topic. Textbooks also provide step by step processes on how to complete tasks. Many different textbooks come in many different sizes and languages. In addition, one can also view a textbook online. Textbooks are found in many learning institutions such as colleges, secondary schools, and libraries. In general, they are the primary tools that people depend on for gathering information.
How to Write a Textbook
The questions need to be asked for writing a textbook are as follows:
- What study should cover the textbook?
- Where can I get valid sources of information?
- How should the topic be divided?
- What audience am I writing to?
- Did I provide enough information?
- Aside from providing information, what else can I include?
- Will the audience approve of the textbook?
Steps to create a Textbook
- Revolve on a teachable topic
- Find a topic that an audience will likely need information for and that it can provide a plethora amount of data.
- Research thoroughly using outside valid sources
- Use credible sources in finding information for the topic. Credible sources can be professors that previously taught the topic and older textbooks that are related. Providing sources and a works cited proves the writer did not make any information up.
- Create an outline that will resemble the table of contents that are composed of chapters
- Providing chapters can help divide the topic into sub-topics, therefore the writer can write more information for the sub-topic. Organization is an important factor in writing a textbook.
- Write each chapter and develop it
- Taking one chapter at a time will allow the writer to compose as much information they can possibly provide. Taking one step after another is important in creating an informative textbook.
- Include activities, demonstrations, and graphics/charts
- Textbooks consisting of pictures and activities will make the books less dull and the readers will be more involved in learning.
- Keep the text simple and informative, always remembering that the audience may know nothing of the topic.
- Do not litter the textbook with difficult terms that the reader might not know, keeping the text simple will guarantee that the reader will understand your point. Although, use proper grammar and English, no slang.
Why Study Textbooks
Textbooks are an efficient way of accessing information because they hold the history of all data through printed text since the time it was published. They are written in almost all fields of study, making them a great reason to why they are so useful. Textbooks go through many revisions to correct any errors that may have been missed, that comes to the explanation of why there are many editions to a textbook. They need to be accurate in information and very organized, due to the fact that many people use them for studying. With any false information, the textbook will lead the reader into failure. Although, textbooks are large in size compared to other researching works such as lab reports and abstracts, textbooks provide more details and examples that can bring the reader into a better comprehension of the topic.
The Price Is Right…. Or Is It?
Textbooks are very expensive. So people ask themselves, why are they so pricey? Some first impressions were the fancy colors and decorative cover, and others thought so the publisher can make profit. Although these accusations may be the answer, the real root of where our money flows is because of the sales of used books. Since college students nowadays sell their used books to another student or a bookstore, the publisher only gets profit from the first sale of the textbook. That is why publishers price their books aggressively1. So how publishers try to outsmart this system is by making revisions to the textbooks of that study, attempting to make more profit.
Want Cheaper Books?
Common sites that can save you money!
Barnes&Noble
Amazon
eCampus
ebay
Bronco Bookstore
References
1. eHow Careers, Work Editor. "How to Write a Textbook." <http://www.ehow.com/how_2124460_write-textbook.html>. Accessed February 24, 2009.
2. "Textbooks." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textbooks>. Accessed February 24, 2009.
3. Roediger III, Henry L. "Why Are Textbooks So Expensive?" The Academic Observer. January 2005. <http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=1712>. Accessed March 1, 2009.