The Feynman Technique
Table of Contents
Teach the idea out loud to the blank page - wherever you stumble, you do not understand yet.
Key Concept
- Explain it simply to a blank page - the stumble marks the gap.
- A blank page is the honest audience - no jargon to hide behind.
- Teach-it-to-learn-it keeps evergreen notes honest before I link them.
Level 1 - Recognize
The Feynman technique is explaining an idea in plain words to a blank page until you stumble - you can name the teach-it-to-learn-it method.
Level 2 - Explain
Plain speech exposes holes that polished notes hide behind jargon - the stumble marks where understanding stops and study should start.
Level 3 - Use
Write one paragraph with no jargon before you file the note - mark every stall and study that slice first.
Level 4 - Connect
Teach-back stress-tests Depth of Understanding at Definition and Explanation - it does not replace Application, Systems, or Generative depth.
Level 5 - Create
The stumble is the syllabus before you publish or link - same honesty check as Synthesis as a Goal; pairs with Deliberate Practice on the weak slice.
Examples
- My kid asked how the fuse box works and I waved vaguely - explaining it simply showed I did not understand it well enough to fix anything.
- The new hire asked why we batch invoices that way and I stumbled mid-sentence.
Note Relationships
| Relationship | Wikilink | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| contradicts | Spaced Repetition | when explaining gaps beats flashcard drill |
| extends | Depth of Understanding | Teach-back stress-tests Definition and Explanation before you climb the full ladder |
| extends | Evergreen Notes | Teach-it-to-learn-it exposes gaps so evergreen notes stay honest and clear |
| extends | Richard Feynman | Explain-like-I am-twelve method named after him |
