Creating a Glossary

As you continue to write your children’s nonfiction book, you will undoubtedly come across some difficult words. That will be your first clue. If they are difficult for you, they will most certainly be difficult for your audience. You need to help your reader understand your book through definitions. There are a few different ways to do this, one of them, is to create a glossary.

A glossary (located in the back of your book) is a place where a reader can go to find the definitions of difficult words. While creating a glossary, keep in mind the following:

1. Only bold words which are important and relating specifically to your topic.
2. You have to alphabetize the glossary from A-Z
3. Use the dictionary to help you define the words, but don’t be afraid to change the definition to make it easier for the reader to understand.
   
   Example:
   
   In the 1930's Ed Rickenbacker invented the electric guitar, changing the way we would listen to music forever. As rock and roll (a mixture of different kinds of music) often uses an electric guitar, it could be said that this instrument helped to shape the genre of music into what it has become today. Throughout the course of this book, you will learn about importance of rock and roll and how it has changed throughout the ages.

Glossary

• Ed Rickenbacker: The man who invented the electric guitar in 1934.
• Electric Guitar: A guitar that uses electricity to make sound through the use of an amplifier.
• Rock and Roll: A mixture of different styles of music (Blues, country, gospel). Became popular during the early 1940’s.