The Feynman Technique | Highlights and Annotations by Gistr.

The Feynman Technique helps master any topic. First, study it. Then, explain it on paper as if teaching someone else, identifying knowledge gaps. Refine your explanation until simple and clear; this signifies true understanding and improved retention. Repeat the process for deeper comprehension. Prerequisites: A basic understanding of the topic you wish to learn. This doesn't require mastery, just enough familiarity to begin. Learning Sequence: Step 1: Topic Selection: Choose a specific topic you want to learn. Write it down. Step 2: Explain Like a Teacher: Pretend you're teaching this topic to someone else (or actually do it!). Write or speak your explanation as if you were a teacher. Identify any gaps in your understanding as you do this. Step 3: Simplify and Illustrate: Re-explain the topic in simpler language than before. Use diagrams, analogies, or other visuals to aid understanding. Make it as clear and concise as possible. Step 4: Review and Refine: Review your explanation. Are there still gaps? Are there areas that are unclear or could be explained better? Revise your explanation until you are completely satisfied with its clarity and accuracy. Step 5: Repeat: Go back to Step 2 and repeat the process. Each time, you'll likely find new areas to improve your understanding and explanation. Practice Suggestions: Teach Someone Else: The best way to solidify your understanding is to teach the topic to another person. This will immediately reveal any remaining gaps in your knowledge. Use Different Explanations: Try explaining the topic using different analogies or approaches. This helps to build a more robust and flexible understanding. Test Yourself: Regularly test your understanding by trying to explain the topic from memory. This helps to identify areas where your knowledge is weak. Seek Feedback: Ask others to review your explanations and provide feedback. This can help you to identify areas for improvement. Combine with Other Techniques: Explore other learning techniques and see how they can complement the Feynman Technique.