Glossary in your thesis

When do I use a glossary?

A glossary is particularly useful if your work contains many technical terms, foreign words or special proper names that are not familiar to a wider audience. It offers your readers a quick way to look up unfamiliar terms without interrupting the flow of reading.

If you only explain a few terms, it may be sufficient to define them directly in the body text. For more complex work, especially when many specific terms are used, you should include a glossary to increase comprehensibility.

How do I sort and define terms in the glossary?

The glossary should be sorted alphabetically so that readers can quickly find the terms. Each term should be explained briefly and concisely. Make sure you use a clear and understandable language that readers without specialist knowledge can also understand.

If you take definitions from sources, you must cite them properly in the glossary, just as you would in the rest of your work.

Where do I place the glossary in my work?

The glossary is usually placed at the beginning of your thesis, after the table of contents and the lists for illustrations, tables and abbreviations. This order provides readers with a quick overview and allows them to first find out about the technical terms before reading the rest of the work.

Alternatively, you can also insert the glossary at the end of your work, before the bibliography. However, if you only want to explain a few terms, you can also insert them in footnotes instead of creating a separate glossary.

Which terms belong in the glossary?

In the glossary, you should explain all terms that are not obvious to the average reader. Here are some examples of terms that are typically explained in a glossary:

• Technical terms from your research area
• Foreign words or technical expressions
• Proper names of people, organizations or places
• Special events or historical dates

It is important that the terms are explained briefly and precisely. It is often sufficient to use only one or two sentences to represent the meaning of the term. If a term has been taken from a source, a corresponding source reference is necessary.

What doesn't belong in the glossary?

Abbreviations do not belong in the glossary. If you use many abbreviations, you should create a separate list of abbreviations for them. For a few abbreviations, it is sufficient to explain them the first time they are mentioned in the text.

You should also not include common words that are self-explanatory for the reader in the glossary.

Tips for a professional glossary

• Place the glossary alphabetically in your work.
• Add it after the table of contents or at the end of the work.
• Explain the terms briefly and precisely.
• Avoid including abbreviations or common words.
• Italicize the terms in the body of the text if they are explained in the glossary.
• If you take terms from sources, add the corresponding source reference.

A well-organized glossary helps to ensure that your work appears professional and easy to understand. It ensures that even readers without in-depth expertise can fully understand your work.