Preface and Introduction in Oral History Books

Mohammad Mehdi Abdollahzadeh
Translated by Fazel Shirzad

2026-1-20

The "Preface" and "Introduction" play a significant role in shaping how a book is perceived. The compiler or author of an oral history work carries a heavy and profound responsibility in this important task, akin to that of a historian. They create a work that endures in history; for no matter how modest their contribution may be, it becomes part of history. They recognize the value of their own work, their people, and their audience's time, and accordingly, they invest effort and care into what they produce. From the very first letter to the last, every detail matters to them, and they hold themselves accountable for it. They review their work repeatedly to ensure that what they have created is exactly as it should be. They spare no time reflecting on their work to ensure that the principles and standards of oral history have been observed. They work out of a sense of duty, not with a mercenary mindset.

The author of an oral history book has the opportunity only in the preface, introduction, and footnotes to add their own insights to the interview text. Therefore, they must be meticulous in writing the preface and introduction. In these sections, the book’s objectives, writing style, textual rigor, and the author’s skill are manifested. These opening sections explicitly and implicitly inform readers about the nature of the text and narrative they are about to encounter. It is after reading these two parts that readers decide whether or not to choose the book for further reading.

The importance of writing a preface and introduction has led some to feel incapable of writing them, while others include content under these headings that may not be suitable.

An oral history book is not a literary text where one discusses rhetorical devices. The book’s text should reflect the narrator’s tone and remain faithful to it. Accordingly, it is only in the preface and introduction that the author must skillfully and insightfully employ Barā’at-e Estehlāl (artful and auspicious beginnings) to convince readers that this book was written for them and to highlight the benefits of reading it.

Barā’at linguistically means excellence in art and virtue, as well as superiority, while Estehlāl means sighting the new crescent moon or the first cry of a newborn. In technical terms, this phrase means that the beginning of a discourse should suit the speaker’s style and align with their purpose. The introduction should hint at the issues and topics that will be discussed in the text. The goal is for the author to write an appropriate preface with pleasant, innovative words and subtle references, so that discerning readers understand their intent and what will follow. For instance, experts consider the opening chapter of the Quran, Surah Al-Hamd (the Opener), as the preface to the Quran, or the opening lines of Rumi’s Masnavi (“Listen to the reed as it tells a tale…”) as possessing this quality.

The preface and introduction serve as a bridge between the author and the reader. This opportunity is used to establish a deep and meaningful connection. After writing these sections and adhering to the principles of writing them, it is advisable to ask a few people to read and critique our preface and introduction. This helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our writing from the reader’s perspective. With this approach, we not only create a powerful opening for our book but also pave the way for its success. The primary goal of these sections is to establish a connection between the author and the reader, as well as to introduce the subject, purpose, and structure of the book. Additionally, the introduction and preface can include explanations about the book’s writing process, considerations, and the author’s personal reflections on the topic.

Most readers look at the introduction and preface when choosing a book to determine whether it is suitable and necessary for them. Thus, these two sections can play a significant role in the book’s market success. They are also often used for promotional purposes on websites, in libraries, and at book fairs. The author must work carefully and knowledgeably on these sections to create an engaging and effective text. These sections act as the "gateway" to the book’s content, drawing the reader into the book’s world and familiarizing them with its content and objectives.

Preface
The preface is the reader’s first point of contact with the book and their gateway into it. It should be written by the author themselves, providing an opportunity for them to speak directly to the reader. This section typically appears at the beginning of the book, before the introduction, as a separate page. The preface helps the reader become familiar with the subject and objectives of the book before delving into the main text, enabling them to engage more attentively with the material presented.

The preface allows the reader to become acquainted with the author and others who contributed to the book’s production. It helps the reader establish a more personal connection with the work. The preface not only provides supplementary information about the book but also motivates and builds the reader’s trust to continue reading, playing a crucial role in marketing the book and attracting an audience.

In this section, the author should explain why they decided to write this book and even mention its background. Additionally, they should clarify why the book’s topic is important. They must address the difficulties and challenges faced during the writing process and share their experiences with the reader to create an emotional connection with the audience.

The story behind the creation of the work is perhaps the most important part of the preface. This includes detailing the steps taken to produce the book, such as the number of interview hours, who conducted them, where they took place, and the process of transcribing the recordings. It should also mention where the archives are located, what edits the compiler made to the text, and any notable events that occurred during the creation of the work.

The compiler of an oral history book should discuss their relationship and familiarity with the book’s narrator—how they met and the nature of their relationship. Given the above, it can be said that the preface should tell the story of the book’s creation.

The final paragraph of this section is dedicated to thanking and acknowledging all individuals who contributed to the book’s creation, specifying their roles.

In writing the preface, the author should explain the process of writing the book in simple and fluent language. Sentences should be short and clear so that the reader easily understands the message and feels inclined to continue reading. The tone should be warm and fluid, with no irrelevant information included. It is preferable for the text to harmonize with or closely resemble the tone and language of the book’s narrator.

The preface should also be written responsibly and honestly. At the end, the author’s full name should appear, serving as their signature. This section is usually limited to one to one and a half pages.

Introduction
Every book needs an introduction so that the reader can understand the subject, purpose, and structure of the book before starting the main content. Without a good introduction, the reader may struggle to connect with the book. It could be said that the introduction and preface serve as the book’s true identity card, facilitating our familiarity with it.

Writing the introduction for any book is a sensitive and critical stage in the process of writing and preparing the work for publication. It contains a brief summary of what will be discussed in detail in the book. The introduction briefly addresses the subject, objectives, and content of the book, helping the reader become familiar with the topic and understand what to expect during their reading.

Writing an introduction for a book is the first and most important step in attracting readers and encouraging them to continue reading. A professional introduction can capture the reader’s attention from the very first line and build their trust. In writing an introduction, content should be provided that gives the reader a clear picture of the book’s themes. The opening part of the introduction is the most crucial opportunity to grab the reader’s attention. It should be written in a way that sparks curiosity and makes the reader eager to continue.

The introduction comes after the preface and before the main text and is longer than the preface. Depending on the book’s length, the introduction typically spans two to four pages. In the introduction, the author explains why the book was written and what need it addresses. Therefore, it should be written in a way that is both concise and engaging, while presenting key information coherently.

The introduction is part of the book and can be written by the author or someone else, though in oral history, it is preferable for the compiler to write it. An essential feature of the introduction is that it should be explicitly relevant to the book’s content. While being simple, clear, and understandable, it should also be concise and comprehensive, covering all the main aspects of the book.

There is no strict, rigid rule for writing an introduction; it requires a combination of knowledge, creativity, and experience to ensure all its components are purposefully and creatively chosen. It should avoid verbosity and revealing too many details. Only if the book has a special feature should it be highlighted in the introduction.

A common mistake is to tell the entire story of the book in the introduction, making the book feel like a story whose ending is already known. Perhaps the best time to write the introduction is after the final editing of the book’s chapters, as it will reflect the mood and quality of the finished work. Another common mistake is neglecting essential information in favor of making the introduction more appealing, resulting in a slogan-like and generic tone.