Data source: store the original data in a set of enum objects. each keyword, each part of speech, and each definition must be stored in a separate data field. do not combine them such as storing three parts in one string. - data structure: use existing data structure(s) or creating new data structure(s) to store our dictionary’s data. - data loading: when our program starts, it loads all the original data from the data source into our dictionary’s data structure. data loading must finish before our program starts interacting with users. - user interface: a program interface allows users to input search keys. this interface then displays returned results. our program searches the dictionary’s data (not the data source) for values associated with the search keys