Pattern headings for LC subjects
Find information about pattern headings, which are representative of particular categories, for Library of Congress subject headings.
The Library of Congress has identified headings that are representative of particular categories. Such headings are called pattern headings. These representative headings in each category are established in the subject authority file with a set of subdivisions appropriate for use with other headings belonging to the category. The following table lists those pattern headings identified by LC. Pattern headings can help you:
- Verify subject headings in an existing bibliographic record
- Select appropriate subject headings to include in an original record
| Subject field | Category | Pattern heading(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Religion | Religious and monastic orders | Jesuits |
| Religions | Buddhism | |
| Christian denominations | Catholic Church | |
| Sacred works (including parts) | Bible | |
| History and Geography | Colonies of individual countries | Great Britain $x Colonies |
| Legislative bodies (including individual chambers) | United States. $b Congress | |
| Military services (including armies, navies, marines, etc.) | United States $x Armed Forces United States. $b Air Force United States. $b Army United States. $b Marine Corps United States. $b Navy |
|
| Wars | World War, 1939-1945 United States $x History $y Civil War, 1861-1865 |
|
| Social Sciences | Industries | Construction industry Retail trade |
| Types of educational institutions | Universities and colleges | |
| Individual educational institutions | Harvard University | |
| Legal topics | Labor laws and legislation | |
| The Arts | Art | Art, Italian Art, Chinese Art, Japanese Art, Korean |
| Groups of literary authors (including authors, poets, dramatists, etc.) | Authors, English | |
| Literary works entered under author | Shakespeare, William, $d 1564-1616. $t Hamlet | |
| Literary works entered under title | Beowulf | |
| Languages and groups of languages | English language French language Romance languages |
|
| Literatures (including individual genres) | English literature | |
| Musical compositions | Operas | |
| Musical instruments | Clarinet Piano |
|
| Science and Technology | Land vehicles | Automobiles |
| Materials | Concrete Metals |
|
| Chemicals | Copper Insulin |
|
| Organs and regions of the body | Heart Foot |
|
| Diseases | Cancer Tuberculosis |
|
| Plants and crops | Corn | |
| Animals | Fishes Cattle |