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Wednesday, 17 October 2001
Topic: "Indexing for Tech Writers 101: Lambs to the Slaughter"
About the Event
Indexing is finding the important topics, facts, names, and concepts in a document and organizing them in alphabetical order with locators so that readers/users can easily find the information they need. Indexing is a specialized skill, not a mechanical function. Computers are essential in index production, but software alone cannot compile a truly useful index. It takes human intelligence to trace ideas and present them concisely and correctly in the index.
In this workshop, Maria Coughlin, a long-time indexer and founder of Coughlin Indexing Services, provides practical advice to tech writers who are suddenly told that they have to index a document. She will concentrate on what an index is and how to make one even if you have never done it (except maybe in nightmares).
Speakesr' Handouts and Presentations
Don't forget your business cards for networking and books for the book drive! Books are donated to local charities.
About the Speaker

Maria Coughlin is president of Coughlin Indexing Services, Inc., which employs 9 full-time indexers in Annapolis, Maryland. Maria has almost 20 years of experience teaching indexing to novices. She is a Founding Fellow of the Consortium of Indexing Professionals and she is currently secretary of the American Society of Indexers. More than anything else, she likes going "into the trenches" with maps and strategies to help indexing's foot-soldiers.
Schedule
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Registration and Dinner
7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Program
Food
Chicken Fiesta (grilled chicken topped with red and green peppers)
or Vegetable Lasagna
Mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Oven-roasted red skinned potatoes
Fresh mixed vegetables
Rolls and butter
Decaffeinated and regular coffee
Iced tea and lemonade
Chef's choice dessert
Fees
STC members: $10
Administrative Council members: $10
Student members or nonmember students: $5
Program only: $5
Nonmembers: $20
Nonmember first timer — Print free admission coupon
Walk-ins (without advance reservation): $20
Directions
Johns Hopkins University / Applied Physics Laboratory
11100 Johns Hopkins Road
Laurel, MD 20723
Phone: 240-228-7580 or 240-228-5000 (from DC area)
From Baltimore area: 443-778-5000
Map and directions to Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD.