Copyright © 2019 the Contributors to the EPUB 3 Structural Semantics Vocabulary Specification, published by the EPUB 3 Community Group under the W3C Community Final Specification Agreement (FSA). A human-readable summary is available.
This vocabulary, a part of EPUB® 3, defines a set of properties relating to the description of structural semantics of written works.
WARNING: This document is OBSOLETE.
The EPUB Structural Semantics Vocabulary is now a W3C Working Group Note, part of the EPUB 3 Specification family.
This specification was published by the EPUB 3 Community Group. It is not a W3C Standard nor is it on the W3C Standards Track. Please note that under the W3C Community Final Specification Agreement (FSA) other conditions apply. Learn more about W3C Community and Business Groups.
This document is subject to change at any time. The terms defined herein will never be removed, but may be deprecated.
This document contains draft terms from the EDUPUB profile.
Any use of terms marked [draft] should be considered experimental.
Deprecated terms are identified by the label [deprecated]. These terms are no longer recommended for use in any context (refer to individual terms for additional restrictions on their use in specific contexts, such as in HTML).
If you wish to make comments regarding this document, please send them to public-epub3@w3.org (subscribe, archives).
While the EPUB Structural Semantics vocabulary is generally host language agnostic, it has been constructed primarily to enable semantic inflection of elements in the HTML vocabulary.
The HTML usage context fields indicate contexts in HTML documents where the given property is considered relevant. Authors may use the properties on HTML markup elements not specifically listed, but must ensure that the semantics they express represent a subset of the carrying element's semantics and do not attach an existing element's meaning to a semantically neutral element.
When processing HTML documents, Reading Systems may ignore such non-compliant properties, unless their usage context is explicitly overridden or extended by the host specification.
The Usage Details sections identify IDPF specifications that define or utilize the specified properties.
As well as sections marked as non-normative, all authoring guidelines, diagrams, examples, and notes in this specification are non-normative. Everything else in this specification is normative.
A section that introduces the work, often consisting of a marketing image, the title, author and publisher, and select quotes and reviews.
Preliminary material to the main content of a publication, such as tables of contents, dedications, etc.
The main content of a publication.
Ancillary material occurring after the main content of a publication, such as indices, appendices, etc.
A component of a collection.
A major structural division in a work that contains a set of related sections dealing with a particular subject, narrative arc or similar encapsulated theme.
A major thematic section of content in a work.
A major sub-division of a chapter.
A major structural division that may also appear as a substructure of a part (esp. in legislation).
Sections and components that typically occur in the publication bodymatter.
A short summary of the principle ideas, concepts and conclusions of the work, or of a section or excerpt within it.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
An introductory section that precedes the work, typically not written by the author of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
An introductory section that precedes the work, typically written by the author of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
An introductory section that sets the background to a work, typically part of the narrative.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A preliminary section that typically introduces the scope or nature of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A section in the beginning of the work, typically containing introductory and/or explanatory prose regarding the scope or nature of the work's content
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A concluding section or statement that summarizes the work or wraps up the narrative.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A concluding section of narrative that wraps up or comments on the actions and events of the work, typically from a future perspective.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A closing statement from the author or a person of importance, typically providing insight into how the content came to be written, its significance, or related events that have transpired since its timeline.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A quotation set at the start of the work or a section that establishes the theme or sets the mood.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A section of supplemental information located after the primary content that informs the content but is not central to it.
HTML usage context: sectioning content
A short section of production notes particular to the edition (e.g., describing the typeface used), often located at the end of a work.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, grouping content
A collection of credits.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, grouping content
A collection of keywords.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, grouping content
A navigational aid that provides a detailed list of links to key subjects, names and other important topics covered in the work.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, body
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index property
Narrative or other content to assist users in using the index.
Required parent context: index
HTML usage context: sectioning content, header
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-headnotes property
List of symbols, abbreviations or special formatting used in the index, and their meanings.
Required parent context: index-headnotes
HTML usage context: sectioning content, dl
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-legend property
Collection of consecutive main entries that share a common characteristic, for example the starting letter of the main entries.
Required parent context: index
HTML usage context: sectioning content
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-group property
Collection of consecutive main entries or subentries.
Required parent context: index-entry , index-group and index
HTML usage context: ul; this property is implied when the ul has an ancestor of index except within index-headnotes
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-entry-list property
One term with any attendant subentries, locators, cross references, and/or editorial note.
Required parent context: index-entry-list
HTML usage context: li; this property is implied when parent ul is of type index-entry-list (implicit or explicit)
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-entry property
Word, phrase, string, glyph or image representing the indexable content.
Required parent context: index-xref-related , index-entry and index-xref-preferred
HTML usage context: phrasing content; typically span
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-term property
Editorial note pertaining to a single entry.
Required parent context: index-entry
HTML usage context: flow content
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-editor-note property
A reference to an occurrence of the indexed content in the publication.
Required parent context: index-entry , index-locator-list and index-locator-range
HTML usage context: a; this property is implied when parent context is index-locator-list or index-locator-range
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-locator property
Collection of sequential locators or locator ranges.
Required parent context: index-entry
HTML usage context: ul
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-locator-list property
A pair of locators that connects a term to a range of content rather than a single point.
Required parent context: index-locator-list and index-entry
HTML usage context: flow content
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-locator-range property
Reference from one term to one or more preferred terms or term categories in an index (analogous to "See xxx").
Required parent context: index-entry
HTML usage context: flow content
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-xref-preferred property
Reference from one term to one or more related terms or term categories in an index (analogous to "See also xxx").
Required parent context: index-entry
HTML usage context: flow content
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-xref-related property
Word, phrase, string, glyph or image representing a category of terms in the index.
Required parent context: index-xref-related and index-xref-preferred
HTML usage context: a
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-term-category property
Wrapper for a list of the term categories belonging to an index.
Required parent context: index-xref-related and index-xref-preferred
HTML usage context: a
Usage details: EPUB Indexes – index-term-categories property
A brief dictionary of new, uncommon or specialized terms used in the content.
HTML usage context: dl, sectioning content
A glossary term.
Required parent context: glossary
HTML usage context: The glossterm property is implied on dt elements within a dl element marked with the glossary property.
The definition of a term in a glossary.
Required parent context: glossary
HTML usage context: The glossdef property is implied on dd elements within a dl element marked with the glossary property.
A list of external references cited in the work, which may be to print or digital sources.
HTML usage context: sectioning content
A single reference to an external source in a bibliography. A biblioentry typically provides more detailed information than its reference(s) in the content (e.g., full title, author(s), publisher, publication date, etc.).
Required parent context: bibliography
HTML usage context: grouping content
Preliminary sections and components, typically occuring in the publication frontmatter.
The title page of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
The half title page of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
The copyright page of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
Marketing section used to list related publications.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A section or statement that acknowledges significant contributions by persons, organizations, governments and other entities to the realization of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
Information relating to the publication or distribution of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A formal statement authorizing the publication of the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A list of contributors to the work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
Acknowledgments of previously published parts of the work, illustration credits, and permission to quote from copyrighted material.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A set of corrections discovered after initial publication of the work, sometimes referred to as corrigenda.
HTML usage context: section, aside, grouping content
An inscription at the front of the work, typically addressed in tribute to one or more persons close to the author.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A record of changes made to a work.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A detailed analysis of a specific topic.
Inherits from: xhv:complementary
HTML usage context: sectioning content
Helpful information that clarifies some aspect of the content or assists in its comprehension.
Inherits from: xhv:complementary
HTML usage context: aside, phrasing content
Replaced by: tip
Content, both textual and graphical, that is offset in the margin.
Inherits from: xhv:complementary
HTML usage context: aside, phrasing content
Replaced by: aside
Notifies the user of consequences that might arise from an action or event. Examples include warnings, cautions and dangers.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
A distinctively placed or highlighted quotation from the current content designed to draw attention to a topic or highlight a key point.
Inherits from: xhv:complementary
HTML usage context: aside
Secondary or supplementary content, typically formatted as an inset or box.
Inherits from: xhv:complementary
HTML usage context: aside
Replaced by: aside
Helpful information that clarifies some aspect of the content or assists in its comprehension.
Inherits from: xhv:complementary
HTML usage context: aside, phrasing content
A warning.
HTML usage context: section, grouping content
Replaced by: notice
The title appearing on the first page of a work or immediately before the text.
Inherits from: title
HTML usage context: heading content. This property should only appear once within the document scope.
The full title of the work, either simple, in which case it is identical to title, or compound, in which case it consists of a title and a subtitle.
Inherits from: title
Same as: http://purl.org/dc/terms/title
HTML usage context: heading content. This property should only appear once within the document scope.
The title of the work as displayed on the work's cover.
Inherits from: title
HTML usage context: heading content. This property should only appear once within the document scope.
The primary name of a document component, such as a list, table or figure.
HTML usage context: heading content, phrasing content descendants of heading content.
An explanatory or alternate title for the work, or a section or component within it.
Inherits from: title
HTML usage context: heading content, phrasing content descendants of heading content, paragraphs, divs
The text label that precedes an ordinal in a component title (e.g., 'Chapter', 'Part', 'Figure', 'Table').
Inherits from: title
HTML usage context: Phrasing content descendants of heading content, li and figcaption
An ordinal specifier for a component in a sequence of components (e.g., '1', 'IV', 'B-1').
Inherits from: title
HTML usage context: Phrasing content descendants of heading content, li and figcaption
A structurally insignificant heading that does not contribute to the hierarchical structure of the work.
HTML usage context: flow content, typically p, div or span
An explicit designation or description of a learning objective or a reference to an explicit learning objective.
HTML usage context: flow content, phrasing content
A collection of learning-objectives.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, grouping content
The understanding or ability a student is expected to achieve as a result of a lesson or activity.
HTML usage context: flow content
A collection of learing-outcomes.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, grouping content
A resource provided to enhance learning, or a reference to such a resource.
HTML usage context: flow content
A collection of learning-resources.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, grouping content
A formal set of expectations or requirements typically issued by a government or a standards body.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, phrasing content
A collection of learning-standards.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, grouping content
The component of a self-assessment problem that provides the answer to the question.
HTML usage context: aside, grouping content
A collection of answers.
HTML usage context: sectioning content, grouping content
A test, quiz, or other activity that helps measure a student's understanding of what is being taught.
HTML usage context: sectioning content
A collection of assessments.
HTML usage context: sectioning content
Instruction to the reader based on the result of an assessment.
HTML usage context: grouping content, phrasing content
A problem that requires the reader to input a text answer to complete a sentence, statement or similar.
HTML usage context: aside, grouping content
A problem with a free-form solution.
HTML usage context: aside, grouping content
A section of content structured as a series of questions and answers, such as an interview or list of frequently asked questions.
HTML usage context: lists or sectioning content
A problem that requires the reader to match the contents of one list with the corresponding items in another list.
HTML usage context: aside, grouping content
A problem with a set of potential answers to choose from ‒ some, all or none of which may be correct.
HTML usage context: aside, grouping content
A review exercise or sample.
See also: practices
HTML usage context: aside, grouping content
The component of a self-assessment problem that identifies the question to be solved.
HTML usage context: grouping content
A collection of practices.
HTML usage context: sectioning content
A problem with either a true or false answer.
HTML usage context: aside, grouping content
An individual frame, or drawing.
HTML usage context: li
Usage details: EPUB Region-Based Navigation
A group of panels (e.g., a strip).
HTML usage context: li
Usage details: EPUB Region-Based Navigation
An area in a comic panel that contains the words, spoken or thought, of a character.
HTML usage context: li
Usage details: EPUB Region-Based Navigation
An area of text in a comic panel. Used to represent titles, narrative text, character dialogue (inside a balloon or not) and similar.
HTML usage context: li
Usage details: EPUB Region-Based Navigation
An area of text in a comic panel that represents a sound.
HTML usage context: li
Usage details: EPUB Region-Based Navigation
Explanatory information about passages in the work.
Inherits from: xhv:complementary
HTML usage context: aside, phrasing content
Replaced by: Open Annotation in EPUB
A note. This property does not carry spatial positioning semantics, as do the footnote and endnote properties. It can be used to identify footnotes, endnotes, marginal notes, inline notes, and similar when legacy naming conventions are not desired.
HTML usage context: On the aside element when identifying a single note, or on descendants of sectioning content when identifying individual notes in a group (refer to footnotes and endnotes).
Ancillary information, such as a citation or commentary, that provides additional context to a referenced passage of text.
See also: footnotes
HTML usage context: On the aside element when identifying a single footnote, or on descendants of sectioning content when identifying individual footnotes in a group (refer to footnotes and endnotes).
One of a collection of notes that occur at the end of a work, or a section within it, that provides additional context to a referenced passage of text.
See also: endnotes
HTML usage context: On the aside element when identifying a single endnote, or on descendants of sectioning content when identifying individual endnotes in a group (refer to footnotes and endnotes).
A note appearing in the rear (backmatter) of the work, or at the end of a section.
See also: rearnotes
HTML usage context: On the aside element when identifying a single rearnote, or on descendants of sectioning content when identifying individual rearnotes in a group (refer to footnotes and rearnotes).
Replaced by: endnote
A collection of footnotes.
See also: footnote
HTML usage context: sectioning content
A collection of notes at the end of a work or a section within it.
See also: endnote
HTML usage context: sectioning content
A collection of notes appearing at the rear (backmatter) of the work, or at the end of a section.
See also: rearnote
HTML usage context: sectioning content
Replaced by: endnotes
A reference to an annotation.
Inherits from: xhv:link
See also: annotation
HTML usage context: a
Replaced by: Open Annotation in EPUB
A reference to a bibliography entry.
Inherits from: xhv:link
HTML usage context: a
A reference to a glossary definition.
Inherits from: xhv:link
HTML usage context: a
A reference to a note, typically appearing as a superscripted number or symbol in the main body of text.
Inherits from: xhv:link
See also: note
HTML usage context: a
A link that allows the user to return to a related location in the content (e.g., from a footnote to its reference or from a glossary definition to where a term is used).
Inherits from: xhv:link
HTML usage context: a
Terms for describing components at the phrasing level.
An acknowledgment of the source of integrated content from third-party sources, such as photos. Typically identifies the creator, copyright and any restrictions on reuse.
HTML usage context: phrasing content
A key word or phrase.
HTML usage context: phrasing content
A phrase or sentence serving as an introductory summary of the containing paragraph.
HTML usage context: phrasing content
A phrase or sentence serving as a concluding summary of the containing paragraph.
HTML usage context: phrasing content
A separator denoting the position before which a break occurs between two contiguous pages in a statically paginated version of the content.
HTML usage context: phrasing and flow content, where the value of the carrying elements title attribute takes precedence over element content for the purposes of representing the pagebreak value
A navigational aid that provides a list of links to the pagebreaks in the content.
HTML usage context: sectioning content
A structure containing data or content laid out in tabular form.
HTML usage context: Not Allowed
Media Overlays usage context: Identifies a seq or par as an escapable or skippable table structure.
A row of data or content in a tabular structure.
HTML usage context: Not Allowed
Media Overlays usage context: Identifies a seq or par as an escapable or skippable table row.
A single cell of tabular data or content.
HTML usage context: Not Allowed
Media Overlays usage context: Identifies a seq or par as an escapable or skippable table cell.
A structure that contains an enumeration of related content items.
HTML usage context: Not Allowed
Media Overlays usage context: Identifies a seq or par as an escapable or skippable list structure.
A single item in an enumeration.
HTML usage context: Not Allowed
Media Overlays usage context: Identifies a seq or par as an escapable or skippable list item.