Why are guide words important?

Answer 1

It is a word printed on the top and bottom of a directory to indicate the first and last item on that page. If the word you are looking for falls between the alphabetical construction of these two words, you are then on the correct page

Answer 2

In a dictionary the guidewords at the top of the page give the first and last words listed on the page. The words in the dictionary are in Alphabetical order. When you look at the guide words, you can tell if a particular word is on a particular page.

Actually, they are far more useful than that. If you know your word starts with an M and you open your dictionary to a word that starts with a P, you know you have to move toward the front. You put a finger from your right hand on the page in the reference with the P and you open the dictionary toward the front. If you come to a page with an L you put a finger from your left hand on that page using it as a place marker. Then you work toward the M's. Every time you get closer to your word, you lift the finger on that side and move it to the new page. Soon you will hit your mark.

Looking up names in telephone books works the same way.

Answer 3

Guide words are important because they help users quickly locate information in dictionaries or other reference materials. By providing the first and last words on a page, guide words give a preview of the alphabetical range of words on that page, making it easier for readers to navigate and find the word they are looking for.