Writing Your Table of Contents

Overview

Flowchart showing this is the fourth item in the report's front matter: 1. Letter of Transmittal: Introduce the primary readers to the purpose and content. 2. Title Page: List the title, author, and date as well as the recipient. 3. Abstract: Provide a brief technical summary for readers familiar with the topic. 4. Table of Contents: List headings and sub-headings with page numbers or links. 5. Executive Summary: Summarize the background, findings, and implications for management. — The Sections of the Front Matter of the Recommendation Report

Create a Table of Contents so that readers can move directly to the information they want to read in your Recommendation Report. Include all headings and sub-headings in your Table of Contents.

Where You Can Find Help

From Howdy or Hello? Technical and Professional Communication

Table of Contents for a Recommendation Report
Specific Guidelines on Headings
Bulleted and Numbered Lists
Use of Color

From LinkedIn Learning

“Create a table of contents in Word” (43s), from the Word Quick Tips course.
“Add page numbers” (4m 17s), from the Word 2016: Creating Long Documents course.
“Create a table of contents” (3m 58s), from the Google Docs: Formatting in Depth course.
“Add page numbers” (1m 41s), from the Google Docs Essential Training course.

From Technical Communication

Sample Report, Figure 18.8

How You Do It

As a group, complete and revise the entire report (the front matter, the body, and the back matter) before adding the Table of Contents. Otherwise you will have to update the Table of Contents every time the content changes to make sure it is accurate. The Table of Contents is the last thing to add to your report.
Review your draft to make sure your headings and subheadings are specific and accurate. Compare your information to the headings and sub-headings in the Example Table of Contents in the Sample Recommendation Report. Make revisions as necessary.
Add page numbers to the report, using one of the LinkedIn Learning videos (above, in the “Where You Can Find Help” section) if you need documentation.
Scroll through the document to the location for your Table of Contents (after the Abstract, and before the Executive Summary).
Add the heading for your Table of Contents:
1. Add the phrase Table of Contents as the heading at the top of the page and center the line.
2. Format the word so that it is clearly the heading for the page. You can use the built-in headings in your word processor.
3. Skip a blank line.
Use the tools built into your word processor to generate a Table of Contents. The LinkedIn Learning videos in the “Where You Can Find Help” section above demonstrate the process for Word and for Google Docs.
Review your Table of Contents, checking that it includes all of your headings and sub-headings. If anything is missing, make the necessary changes and regenerate your Table of Contents.