Evaluating definitions

Five critical criteria’s should be used when evaluating a definition. First, you must understand that a good and well-written definition should not be too broad or too narrow. If a definition includes too many other things that can fit the description, than it is too broad. If a definition leaves out possible descriptions that apply to the term being defined, than it is too narrow. Secondly, the definition should include the fundamental characteristics of the term being defined. A good definition also does not use the word or variation of the word in order to define the word. Doing this is using a circular definition. Fourthly, a good definition does not use figurative language and neither does it make it difficult to understand. Figurative language does not adequately define a term because it broadens things up and leaves question on to what the term can be. If a definition is to obscure it only makes sense to professionals in the field, leaving the rest of the readers puzzled and confused. Lastly, a good definition does not use emotive language. Emotive language only provokes emotion on the reader rather than give meaning to the issue being addressed. I thought this was interesting because I learned that by understanding how to evaluate definition I can communicate my thoughts to others even better.