Corbett's apparently obvious statements reflect the needs of the people he was addressing. Readers cannot follow a technical argument if it assumes knowledge they do not share. Alex Clarke recalls criticism that his own book explained too many systems, but defends those explanations because readers arrive with different levels of experience. Basic definitions also help specialists remember what a system is intended to do. His regular return to Corbett before teaching brings familiar principles back into view.
Notable Point · 2:14:17-2:18:08
Why naval teaching must explain the fundamentals
Definitions and basic system explanations help readers enter a specialist subject and remind experienced readers of assumptions they can overlook.