Quick Reference STUDY METHODS · No. 4 EXPLANATIONS

An explanation is a start.

Restate it. Stress-test it. Apply it.

Don't ask "explain X." Ask for a level you can restate, an analogy you can break, and a self-explanation check.

EXPLAIN · RESTATE · APPLY

Three levels

Explain [TOPIC] at three levels. After each, ask me to restate it. Stop at the level where I break. (A4)

Shortest correct

Give the shortest explanation that is still correct. Expand only what I flag. (A20)

Analogy, then break

Give an analogy for [TOPIC]. Then tell me where it breaks and what it misleads about. (A5, A6)

Self-explain

I'll explain each step aloud while we go. Flag hand-waving; don't take over. (E6)

The protocol

i
Three levels Explain [TOPIC] at three levels. After each, ask me to restate it. Stop at the level where I break. (A4)
ii
Shortest correct Give the shortest explanation that is still correct. Expand only what I flag. (A20)
iii
Analogy, then break Give an analogy for [TOPIC]. Then tell me where it breaks and what it misleads about. (A5, A6)
iv
Self-explain I'll explain each step aloud while we go. Flag hand-waving; don't take over. (E6)
v
Chunk it Break the procedure into named stages I can recite from memory. (A13)
vi
Register shift Explain the same idea as to a peer, then as to a skeptical expert. (A26, D23)

A4 impact 4 · A5 impact 3 · A6 impact 5.

Prompt · Multi-level explanation

Explain [TOPIC] at three levels of depth. After each level, ask me to restate it in my own words. Stop at the first level where my restatement fails, and stay there until I can rebuild it.