Some specific considerations include:
- Title
By its position in the publication and format it may be obvious to the reader that they are reading the TOC. However, it is usually titled in some way. Table of Contents, Contents, and In This Issue are common titles. I've seen a TOC labeled as Index although that is usually the title of a separate end-of-the-book section.
- Dot Leaders
Also called tab leaders or leader tabs, these row of dots help lead the reader from one bit of information to another across a page. You'll commonly find dot leaders used in a table of contents. Using Leader Tabs or Dot Leaders has tips on design issues and the technical aspects of dot leaders.
- Page Numbers
A TOC can have the page numbers for each chapter or section above or below or to the left or right of the chapter or section heading. Consistency and proximity are two important principles to keep in mind. With placement above or below, keep the numbers close enough to the chapter/section heading that they don't appear to go with a different heading. With left or right placement, provide enough contrast or spacing (proximity) that the numbers don't blend into the text but not so much space that it's hard to tell which heading they go with (dot leaders can help).
- Number of Pages
The number of sections or chapters and the amount of detail included in the TOC may require using more than one page. For a TOC that extends more than two or three pages, it may be beneficial to the reader to include a shorter "at a glance" TOC.
