Feynman Technique for deep learning—explain a concept simply, identify gaps, fill them, then refine. Use when learning something new, testing understanding, or preparing to teach.
Apply the full Feynman learning technique to deeply understand a concept.
Work through all four steps of the Feynman technique. Be honest about gaps—they're the point.
Concept: [What are we trying to understand?]
Explain as if teaching someone with no background in this field
[Write a plain-language explanation. Use everyday words. Avoid jargon. Aim for a bright 12-year-old to understand.]
[Create an analogy using something familiar to illustrate the concept]
Where did the explanation get fuzzy, hand-wavy, or require jargon?
| 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] |
| Term | Can I Explain It Simply? |
|---|---|
| [term] | Yes / No / Partially |
Research or think through each gap
Rewrite the complete explanation with gaps filled and simpler language
[The improved, complete explanation in plain language]
[A refined or new analogy that better captures the concept]
Test Question If someone asked me to explain this in 30 seconds, I'd say:
[Elevator pitch version]
$ARGUMENTS