TEX by Example

This guide is written for absolute beginners. It consists, mainly, of pages on the right ("output pages") which explain the basic features of TEX and illustrate some of the things the program can do; and pages on the left containing input boxes that show what was typed to produce the output.

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Based on the premise that people learn best by imitation or example, this guide to TEX is written for absolute beginners - people who want simply to use TEX, but who have no desire to understand the program's inner working. The bulk of this guide has two interwoven parts. Pages on the right, called "output pages", explain the basic features of TEX and illustrate some of the things the program can do. Pages on the left contain input boxes that show what was typed to produce the output. By glancing at these input boxes can see quickly how a typesetting or formating effect is obtained, without having to read long explanations. The examples in this book illustrate the standard of features of TEX - they cover everything that one would need to produce a letter, technical report or other document. The book can be used visually, by flipping through the pages for the item or typesetting feature you need (for example, a bulleted list or an integral sign), then reading the matching input. A key feature of the book is the extensive appendix, which contains an alphabetical listing of many features of TEX and all its commonly used commands.
"TEX by Example" contains recipes to create formats of varying kinds, but little analysis of the ingredients. It is all practice and no theory. It aims to allow the complete beginner to use TEX right away, essentially by copying.