Write a Definition That Avoids Circularity
Added 2026-11-04
Do not explain with synonyms; say what it does and what it is not.
I need to define a concept (below). Write: 1) one sentence on what it does and what problem it solves; 2) what it is not — two adjacent but different concepts; 3) one counterexample of what does not count; 4) point out where my intuitive definition would go circular; 5) give a test of whether a user can judge the boundary themselves. Do not swap in synonyms.
Site original
Chinese original
How to use
定义的质量，看别人能不能用它排除错误选项。
Try tweaking it
- Ask for three openings in different tones, then pick one.
- Replace "make it better" with concrete limits: length, reader, facts to keep.
What you should get
- A publishable draft, not an outline
- A short changelog: what changed and why
Common mistakes
- Letting it guess the facts, so plausible-looking sources get invented.
- Dumping the whole text with just "polish it" — the result still has no point.
How to check the output
- The conclusion comes first; deleting the opening paragraph does not break it.
- Every fact, number and quote traces back to the source text.
Where it works
- Good for: turning a rambling draft into a conclusion-first, shorter version.
- Watch out: keep sources and figures verbatim — do not let it invent citations.