Feynman Technique
Apply the full Feynman learning technique to deeply understand a concept.
Instructions
Work through all four steps of the Feynman technique. Be honest about gaps—they're the point.
Output Format
Concept: [What are we trying to understand?]
Step 1: Explain It Simply
Explain as if teaching someone with no background in this field
Simple Explanation
[Write a plain-language explanation. Use everyday words. Avoid jargon. Aim for a bright 12-year-old to understand.]
Analogy
[Create an analogy using something familiar to illustrate the concept]
Step 2: Identify Gaps
Where did the explanation get fuzzy, hand-wavy, or require jargon?
Gaps Found
| Gap | What I Said | What I'm Not Sure About |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | [vague part] | [the underlying question] |
| 2 | [vague part] | [the underlying question] |
| 3 | [vague part] | [the underlying question] |
Jargon Used
| Term | Can I Explain It Simply? |
|---|---|
| [term] | Yes / No / Partially |
Step 3: Fill the Gaps
Research or think through each gap
Gap 1: [Topic]
- The question: [What wasn't clear?]
- The answer: [What I learned]
- Now I can explain it as: [Simple version]
Step 4: Refined Explanation
Rewrite the complete explanation with gaps filled and simpler language
Final Simple Explanation
[The improved, complete explanation in plain language]
Improved Analogy
[A refined or new analogy that better captures the concept]
Key Takeaways
- [Core insight 1]
- [Core insight 2]
- [Core insight 3]
Test Question If someone asked me to explain this in 30 seconds, I'd say:
[Elevator pitch version]
Guidelines
- Don't pretend to understand—gaps are valuable
- Use analogies from everyday life
- If you need jargon, define it simply
- Shorter is usually better
- The "explain to a child" bar is high—take it seriously
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