Page 169 - DLIS402_INFORMATION_ANALYSIS_AND_REPACKAGING

Information Analysis and Repackaging

Notes Topic: Date rape

Subject Heading: ACQUAINTANCE RAPE
Topic: Sleeping sickness
Subject Heading: AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS
Topic: Southeast Asia
Subject Heading: ASIA — SOUTHEASTERN
As you can see, subject headings often use very formal language. Given below are some other
characteristic features of subject headings:
• Subject headings are usually given in plural form. Thus, SHARKS is used rather than SHARK,
and APARTMENT HOUSES rather than APARTMENT HOUSE.
• In general, slang, jargon, and highly specialized terminology are avoided in subject headings
in favour of standard English. For example, drunkenness will not be found under terms such
as “smashed,” “bombed,” or “wasted.” Valid headings for drunkenness include ALCOHOL
ABUSE, ALCOHOL DRINKING, and SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
• Subject headings are sometimes inverted to emphasize the most important word. In such
cases, you can determine the correct subject heading by simply reversing the words you’re
likely to think of first. For example, the subject heading for information on abstract art is ART,
ABSTRACT. For American authors, the heading is AUTHORS, AMERICAN.

Subdivisions

Since subject headings often cover somewhat broad concepts, additional words called subdivisions
(sometimes called subheadings) are often added as a way to focus on a more specific aspect of the
subject. Subdivisions are separated from the main heading by a dash (—) and identify various aspects
of a subject that may be of interest to you. For example, AIRPLANES is a valid, but very broad,
subject heading. Many subdivisions, however, can be found which focus on specific aspects of
airplanes. Listed below are only a few of the many subdivisions under the main heading AIRPLANES:
AIRPLANES — BRAKES
AIRPLANES — DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
AIRPLANES — FUEL CONSUMPTION
AIRPLANES — INSPECTION
AIRPLANES — SPEED
AIRPLANES – WINGS
Subdivisions can be one of four types:
• Topical subdivisions narrow the subject to a particular aspect. The subdivisions in the above
example on AIRPLANES are all topical subdivisions. Other examples of main headings fol-
lowed by topical subdivisions include:
CORN — HARVESTING
WOMEN — EMPLOYMENT
MASS MEDIA — SOCIAL ASPECTS
• Geographical subdivisions narrow the subject to a particular geographic area, such as a coun-
try, state or city. For example:
MASS MEDIA — UNITED STATES

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