terminology refinements

README.md

@@ -2,14 +2,12 @@
 
 ## TAP Attribute Dictionary
 
-The [TAP Attribute Dictionary](tap-core-person-schema.adoc) defines a dictionary of common
-attributes used across various components of the TAP portfolio. The
-normative specification of the TAP Attribute Dictionary is abstract -- it cannot be used directly. It is
-best thought of as an *attribute library* that can be used to construct othe documents.
-
-The following types of documents are defined as part of the TAP Attribute Dictionary:
-
+The [TAP Attribute Dictionary](tap-core-person-schema.adoc) defines a large collection of 
+attributes used across various components of the TAP portfolio and higher education more generally. The
+normative documentation of the TAP Attribute Dictionary is abstract -- it is designed to be used only when mapped to specific formats and protocols. It is
+best thought of as an *attribute library* that can be drawn from to construct other documents, specifications, and software artifacts.
 
+When discussing schema, TAP uses two terms, formatting and protocol, in quite specific ways.
 
 * **Formatting**: Mappings of the TAP Attribute Dictionary entries to a specific form, such as
   JSON, XML, or YAML.