Similar to 3B1B, Karpathy etc
Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
1–10 of 15 posts
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
#2As a certified teacher with about a decade of experience who still struggles with explaining things, mainly with knowing my audience and not saying ALL THE THINGS all at once, if recommend volunteering in a classroom, practicing in a mirror, recording yourself, following advice from Make it Stick: the science of successful learning, and to continue listening to and especially emulating skilled explainers.
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
#3This may help... https://english-grammar-lessons.com/a-picture-is-worth-a-tho...
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
#4Consider reading On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
#5For me the secret is better listening. Coupled with understanding well what the person already believes.
As an explainer my job is to take you from where you are at, to where I'm at. That's not one step, it's a number of steps.
In some cases we first have to undo something you already absolutely positively know to be true, that is no longer true. Because nothing stops you learning like a false premise that collides with the new information -especially- if the truth is so ingrained its subliminal.
For example; We have 5 senses. This is a truth we learn very early. Sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch. You absolutely positively know this to be true. If I say we have 6 senses then you jump to an implication of paranormal.
I need you first to acknowledge that you know that fact to be true. Once you do I can lead you further.
Senses are just "input to the brain". (All those 5 are). The brain receives input via specialised nerves. (Again check against the 5.) Now ask yourself, are there more specialised nerve types?
Turns out, there are. And once you know that it's easy to tell you we have more senses.
Pain. Balance. Temperature. Kinesthesis. And more.
Because I understand where you are, I can explain the new information -from your point of view- , not -my- point of view.
Explaining is a journey, not a destination, and it helps if we start from the same place.
Now, did I do a good job of explaining that? :)
[and as a bonus I've let you explore further on your own, I bet you're off to Google Kinesthesis]
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
#6For me the secret is better listening. Coupled with understanding well what the person already believes. As an explainer my job is to take you from where you are at, to where I'm at. That's not one step, it's a number of steps. In some cases we first have to undo something you already absolutely positively know to be true, that is no longer true. Because nothing stops you learning like a false premise that collides w…
I will point out that there's a -very- fine line between good explaining and patronising. Its hard to tread that line in written work, and easier to manage in a verbal context.
And I prefer to use the phrase "that is not completely accurate" over "you are wrong" as it gets less of a defensive reaction.
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
#7I do not know how you explain things now, so it is hard to suggest improvements.
But I'll try anyway.
Do not explain with words. Sit your student down and walk them through it.
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
#8Explaining to who?
The other person matters more than the person explaining. If they don't want an explanation, then you can't explain. If they don't want much detail, then an explanation with lots of details is a bad explanation. If they want a lot of detail, then that same explanation becomes good.
Why are you explaining?
Sometimes an explanation is a bullshit excuse with a fake mustache...If you are explaining yourself, that's often the case. Some explanations are the explainer geeking out over their interest. Few explanations are because someone asked.
How are you explaining?
Spoken explanations in a business context are different from explanations among spouses are different from written technical documents. The best technical explanations require practice. After twenty years, people know something. After five years we are but one-eyed kings (if you are young, you probably won't believe me).
But writing is a form of practice. Take the idea of explaining X seriously enough to practice your explanations of X in writing. And rewriting. Then you will know what you know better and probably more than you would otherwise. And maybe writing is all you need. Good luck.
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
#9Teaching: EDGE method. Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Evaluate.
Colleagues/leadership/etc, practice writing narrative. It really depends on the audience, but writing down your thoughts brings unparalleled clarity.
Re: Ask HN: How can I get better at explaining things?
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