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How to make a Glossary

Don't use the word in the definition.

Include synonyms, antonyms and examples.

Use plain language.

Meet your audiences' needs.

Provide pronunciation tips.

The entries in a glossary aren't for your, they're for the reader. It's vital to consider their need for understanding rather than your need to complete the task. Think about why readers reference glossaries.

There's a feeling that plain language is boring or dumbed down. That's simply not true. Plain language is crystal clear.

f you've ever looked up a word and found that term in the definition, you know how frustrating this feels. So don't do it to your readers.

Sometimes we can get all the information we need to understand a term by looking at its synonyms and antonyms. Include one or two of each in your glossary entry. Examples also increase understanding.

It really helps to know how to say the word correctly, especially for abbreviations that aren't spelled out.

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Definition

Definition

Definition

Definition

Definition

They come for clarification ("I think I know what this means"), validation ("Ha! I was right. I'm so smart.") or elucidation ("So that's what this means").

Don't describe anemia as "having a low hematocrit" because you probably need to explain hematocrit, too. Instead: Anemia: A condition in which the body doesn't have enough red blood cells.

A modeling session that follows the principles and applies the practices of agile modeling. (BTW, I didn't make that up).

Examples also increase understanding. Don't believe me? It's how Merriam-Webster does it.

We refer to SPUG a lot -- it's our shorthand for spelling, punctuation, usage and grammar. But we don't spell it. Nobody here would call it S-P-U-G. We call it spug, like pug or spud.

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Example

Example

Example

Example