With concepts as abstract as sovereignty, commerce, and democracy, it is easy to fall into the trap of oversimplifying these topics or using buzzwords that lack meaning. An extended definition provides readers with enough information to understand your ideas, but not so much that they become confused. Extended definitions are often used in academic writing because they allow for additional thought and detail beyond what can be included in a short sentence or phrase. These paragraphs are also useful for introducing new terms or concepts that might not be familiar to all readers. By explaining the difficult idea in simple language, then expanding on it with additional examples and explanations, authors can help ensure that their audience understands exactly what they are trying to convey. Many students believe that using long sentences and complex vocabulary makes them appear intelligent. This is not true; in fact, extended definitions show that you are willing to dig deep into a topic to provide more information. Readers will appreciate this effort, and it will help them understand your arguments better. Writing extended definitions requires careful planning. First, identify the key words that represent the difficult concept. Next, find other items that share similar meanings but are easier to understand.