/feynman

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?]

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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]

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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 |

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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]

Gap 2: [Topic]

• **The question**: [What wasn't clear?]
• **The answer**: [What I learned]
• **Now I can explain it as**: [Simple version]

Gap 3: [Topic]

• **The question**: [What wasn't clear?]
• **The answer**: [What I learned]
• **Now I can explain it as**: [Simple version]

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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

1. [Core insight 1] 2. [Core insight 2] 3. [Core insight 3]

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**Remaining Questions** [What still feels unclear? These are topics for deeper study]

**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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