This section is about best practices when writing an entire textbook.

Keep related content in the same folder

to help yourself and others find content. For example, it is helpful to keep exercises that complement a section of a textbook in the same folder as that section.

Give descriptive names

to help others and your future self find things. Abstract names like chapter1 and course are too generic, and are at best unhelpful and at worst confusing when things are rearranged.

Pay attention to file paths

as every file with a documentclass must compile, which could mean that files need to find the xmPreamble.tex or other files.

To help organize your book, you should use the documentclass option numbers along with ∖chapterstyle and ∖sectionstyle. Keep your sections short and sweet. Two things that authors commonly do are:

• When you give a definition, ask a question after to check comprehension.
• When you give an example, give an explanation with ∖answer boxes to fill in.