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Guidelines for Creating Glossaries

Useful glossaries have these qualities: If a term has multiple meanings, create a separate glossary entry for each meaning. Provide glossary entry topics for synonyms, particularly when creating glossary entries for concepts.

1Some of the characteristics that make a good glossary definition include:

  • Make your definitions short and to the point.

  • Link to concept topics if additional explanation is needed.

  • Do not use the glossary term (or a form of the term) as part of the definition.

  • Avoid using terms that need further definition or require a search for another glossary term.

  • Provide links to other glossary entries, where needed.

  • Spell out abbreviations.

  • Do not create circular references.

1 From LearningDITA.com.