Glossary structure?

Subject: Glossary structure?
From: Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2004 16:00:19 -0400


David Tinsley wondered: <<We have recently consolidated our glossary terms from long explanations to one or two sentence definitions. Our rationale is that we believe that the subject should be discussed in detail at the appropriate place in the text. We had instances where the glossary was as large as the main text!>>

That's the correct choice. As your dictionary will tell you, a glossary is a list of definitions, not a comprehensive discussion of a subject. It's purpose is to quickly explain something, not to provide a PhD thesis on the topic. Add a cross-reference to the comprehensive discussion and everyone should be happy, particularly if you're printing the docs. Managers love cost savings.

<<We now have to "sell" this idea and new definitions to a wide range of people, from Product Managers, Engineers and Tech Support to name a few. I would like to go into what is going to be a subjective meeting armed with some solid professional reasoning behind our decision.>>

See above. You can also bring your dictionary and read them the definition of "encyclopedia" for the sake of comparison. <g>

--Geoff Hart ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca
(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)


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References:
Glossary structure: From: David Tinsley

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