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Good definitions are written such that:

a. Their meaning is easily grasped by a naive educated reader (e.g., an external consultant unfamiliar with project specifics)
b. The power of the definition may reach all readers
c. Only those with prior knowledge and context will understand the meaning
d. Their meaning is written in technical terms

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Good definitions are clear and understandable to readers at all levels, from those unfamiliar with the topic to experts, and should eschew complicated jargon to ensure universal comprehension.

Step-by-step explanation:

Good definitions are crafted to be accessible and comprehensible to a wide range of readers, including those who may be naive or lack specialization in the topic at hand. A well-written definition should be clear enough for a reader without prior knowledge to grasp the meaning, while also being robust enough to be useful to all readers, including experts who are familiar with the context. It is important to avoid complex jargon that might alienate the naive reader or obscure the definition's meaning. The clear and direct language that explains both the dictionary definition (denotation) and the wider implications (connotation) of a term will ensure that the power of the definition can reach and resonate with all readers.

User Mike Liddell
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