diff --git a/source/aggregation.txt b/source/aggregation.txt
index 0e9a0bd5ff6..2c5ca44df57 100644
--- a/source/aggregation.txt
+++ b/source/aggregation.txt
@@ -4,12 +4,15 @@
 Aggregation
 ===========
 
-The :ref:`Aggregation framework <aggregation-framework>` provides
-a natural method for aggregating data inside of MongoDB. This manual
-contains documentation of both :doc:`aggregation itself
-</applications/aggregation>` and the :doc:`aggregation operators
-</reference/aggregation>`, as well as a collection of :doc:`example
-aggregation operations </tutorial/aggregation-examples/>`.
+Aggregation provides
+a natural method for aggregating data inside of MongoDB.
+
+For a description of MongoDB aggregation, see
+:doc:`/applications/aggregation`. For examples of aggregation, see
+:doc:`/tutorial/aggregation-examples`. For descriptions of aggregation
+operators, see :doc:`/reference/aggregation`.
+
+The following is the outline of the aggregation documentation:
 
 .. toctree::
    :maxdepth: 3
diff --git a/source/applications.txt b/source/applications.txt
index 9bd9acc2b09..f3754801769 100644
--- a/source/applications.txt
+++ b/source/applications.txt
@@ -2,42 +2,49 @@
 Application Development
 =======================
 
-These documents address application development with MongoDB. Most
-applications interact with MongoDB using client libraries (drivers.)
-The drivers provide language-specific interfaces to the database for
-use in your applications. The :doc:`/applications/drivers` page
-contains more information about the drivers themselves and links to
-more through API-level documentation.
-
-Also consider the :ref:`administration tutorials
-<administration-tutorials>` that provide an introduction to basic
-MongoDB use. The :doc:`aggregation </aggregation>` and :doc:`indexes
-</indexes>` chapters provide an overview of topics with which every
-MongoDB application developer will want familiarity.
-
-.. seealso:: ":wiki:`Developer Zone <Developer+Zone>`" wiki pages and
-   the ":doc:`/faq/developers`" document. Developers also should be
+MongoDB provides language-specific client libraries called
+:term:`drives <driver>` that let you develop applications to interact
+with your databases.
+
+This page lists the documents, tutorials, and reference pages that
+describe application development. qor API-level documentation, see
+:doc:`/applications/drivers`.
+
+For an overview of topics with which every
+MongoDB application developer will want familiarity,
+see the :doc:`aggregation </aggregation>` and :doc:`indexes
+</indexes>` documents.
+For an introduction to basic
+MongoDB use, see the :ref:`administration tutorials <administration-tutorials>`.
+
+.. seealso:: :wiki:`Developer Zone <Developer+Zone>` wiki pages and
+   the :doc:`/faq/developers` document. Developers also should be
    familiar with the :doc:`mongo` shell and the MongoDB :doc:`query
    and update operators </reference/operators>`.
 
 Application Development
 -----------------------
 
+The following documents outline basic application development topics:
+
 .. toctree::
    :maxdepth: 2
 
    applications/drivers
    applications/database-references
-   tutorial/expire-data
 
-.. seealso:: ":doc:`/applications/replication`."
+.. seealso:: :doc:`/applications/replication` and
+   :doc:`applications/sharding`.
 
 .. _application-patterns:
 
 Patterns
 --------
 
+The following documents provide patterns for developing application features:
+
 .. toctree::
    :maxdepth: 2
 
    tutorial/perform-two-phase-commits
+   tutorial/expire-data