Starting-point

A starting-point is the initial or fundamental point from which a process, journey, discussion, or investigation begins. It's the foundation upon which subsequent actions, arguments, or developments are built. This crucial element establishes the context, scope, and direction of whatever follows. Choosing the correct starting-point is critical because it strongly influences the outcome. A well-defined starting-point provides clarity and focus, while a poorly chosen one can lead to confusion, inefficiency, and ultimately, failure. It can represent a physical location, a conceptual idea, a set of assumptions, or a specific piece of data. Identifying a clear and relevant starting-point simplifies complexities and provides a framework for progressing toward a desired goal or conclusion.

Starting-point meaning with examples

• The research paper's starting-point was the existing body of literature on climate change. From there, they formulated a hypothesis, designed experiments, and collected data to analyze its impact on agricultural yields, leading to their eventual conclusions and recommendations. A thorough literature review served as the foundation.
• For the project, the starting-point was a detailed market analysis, identifying unmet customer needs. This research guided the development of a new product concept, the selection of target customers, and the formulation of a marketing strategy. The business strategy was derived from the analysis.
• In the debate, the starting-point was an agreed-upon definition of justice. Both sides then presented arguments based on this shared understanding to support their viewpoints on social welfare programs. The argument structure was based on the defined definition.
• The novel's starting-point was a mysterious letter received by the protagonist. This triggered a chain of events, unravelling a complex plot and revealing the identities of various characters as the story unfolded, building the mystery with the letter.
• When writing the code, the starting-point was designing the system's architecture and determining the necessary modules, which ensured a clear and functional codebase, and it established efficient development. The initial architectural plan was integral to its success.