Simply Explained

Albert Einstein famously said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” This quote highlights how important clarity is: if an idea remains tangled in jargon and detail, even a genius would say you haven’t truly mastered it. Yet many of us struggle to break down complex topics. Whether you’re trying to explain a technical process at work or answer a child’s curious question, communicating in plain terms can be challenging. The good news is that simplicity is a skill you can learn and hone. In fact, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman was nicknamed “the Great Explainer” for his knack of breaking down mind-bending scientific ideas into something anyone could grasp. This blog post will show you how to do the same – with practical tips, before-and-after examples, advice on explaining to kids, and pitfalls to avoid.

Tips and Best Practices for Simplifying Complex Ideas

The goal of a simple explanation is to help someone understand – not to dumb down the topic, but to convey its essence in an accessible way. Here are some best practices to achieve that:

• Know what you want to say (and why). Before you start, identify the core idea you need to get across. What’s the one main point or takeaway? Keep that front and center. If you’re clear on the essential message, it’s easier to avoid unnecessary detours and focus your explanation.
• Know your audience and adjust. A great explanation meets the audience at their level of understanding. Ask yourself: what might they already know, and what might be completely new to them? Use examples or comparisons that they would relate to. For instance, you’d use different analogies when explaining a phone app to your tech-savvy colleague versus to your grandmother. Tailor your language and detail to what’s appropriate for your listeners’ background.
• Use plain, everyday language (avoid jargon). Nothing causes confusion faster than a wall of technical terms or buzzwords. As one communication expert points out, technical jargon might be efficient for insiders, but for everyone else it “can be incomprehensible and limit audience understanding”. Whenever possible, swap out specialized terms for common words – or at least briefly define them in simple terms. Imagine you’re writing for a school newspaper rather than an academic journal. Clarity is more important than sounding fancy.
• Use analogies and metaphors to relate the unknown to the known. An analogy compares a complex concept to something simpler or familiar, creating an “aha!” moment for your audience. Great communicators often lean on this tool: one Stanford professor even suggests using metaphors, stories, and examples as key ingredients for simplifying a message. For example, you might explain the structure of an atom by comparing it to a tiny solar system, or describe the internet as “a giant library” of information. Analogies bridge the gap between new ideas and everyday life, making the abstract more concrete.
• Give concrete examples. Abstract ideas can fly over people’s heads if they never see how they work in real life. So, provide a quick example or two that illustrates the concept in action. If you’re explaining a complicated process, walk through a simple scenario step by step. Examples act like proof: they show how the idea applies in a familiar context. For instance, if you’re explaining a complicated formula, demonstrate it with actual numbers or a real-world situation where that formula matters.
• Break information into bite-sized pieces. When you have a lot of information, don’t dump it all at once. Break your explanation into a few key points or steps and introduce them one at a time. You can even enumerate them (first, second, third) to give the listener a roadmap. This list approach helps people follow along without feeling overwhelmed. It’s the difference between reading a dense paragraph and seeing a clear step-by-step sequence – the latter is much easier to digest.
• Use visuals or descriptive imagery (if possible). You don’t always need an actual picture to be visual in your explanation. Sometimes you can paint a picture with words: “Imagine ___” is a powerful way to start an illustrative example. Descriptive language or even a quick doodle on a napkin can clarify relationships and processes. For example, to explain how data travels on the internet, you might say “Think of it like sending a postcard – your message (data) is written down, then delivered through many post offices (network routers) to reach its destination.” Such imagery sticks in memory.
• Practice brevity – then refine and elaborate if needed. Start by explaining the idea in as few words as possible, focusing on the crux. This might be a single sentence summary (often called the “TL;DR”). Once you have that, you can add a bit more detail to fill gaps. The key is to avoid unnecessary fluff. A short explanation gives a solid foundation; you can always answer follow-up questions or dive deeper after the basic idea is clear.
• Use the Feynman Technique: explain it to a child (or a novice). This famous method, inspired by Richard Feynman, is a gold-standard for simplicity. The idea is to try explaining the concept as if you’re teaching a young child or someone completely new. This exercise forces you to strip away complex terms and break the idea down into basic components. If you get stuck or notice you’re using big words, that highlights a part you might not understand well enough (so you know to go back and study it more). By the end, you’ll have a clear, simple explanation. As Feynman himself believed, true understanding shows in your ability to explain an idea in plain terms.

Each of these tips helps counter the natural tendency to explain things in the way we learned them, which often assumes too much background or context. By using these best practices, you’ll be well on your way to turning complex ideas into clear, digestible insights.

Before-and-After: Simplifying Example Explanations

To see simplification in action, let’s look at a couple of before-and-after examples. In each case, the “before” is a perfectly correct explanation that is too complex or technical for a broad audience, and the “after” is a version that conveys the same idea in simpler, more relatable terms.

Example 1: What is Compound Interest?

• Before (Complex): “Compound interest is the process in which an asset’s earnings, from either interest or capital gains, are reinvested to generate additional earnings over time. This results in exponential growth of the principal, as interest-on-interest accumulates with each compounding period.”
• After (Simple): “Compound interest basically means earning interest on your interest. Imagine a snowball rolling downhill – it picks up more snow as it goes. In the same way, when you invest money, you earn interest, and then that interest also earns more interest if you leave it in. Over time, your money grows faster and faster, like a snowball gaining size.”

In the after version, we traded technical terms like “principal,” “compounding period,” and “exponential growth” for a simple analogy (a growing snowball) and everyday language. The core idea – growth accelerating because new interest builds on old interest – remains, but it’s expressed in a way anyone can picture.

Example 2: What is the Internet?

• Before (Complex): “The Internet is a globally distributed network of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, with data transferred via packet switching across a range of media.”
• After (Simple): “The Internet is like a huge system of roads connecting computers all over the world, allowing them to send information back and forth. It’s as if millions of computers are chatting with each other instantly. This lets you do things like visit a website (imagine opening a book in a giant digital library) or send a message across the planet in seconds (like a super-fast postal service for your emails and photos). In short, the Internet links computers everywhere so we can share information with anyone, anywhere, instantly.”

In the simplified version, complex terms (“protocol suite,” “packet switching,” etc.) are removed. We use two analogies – roads for connectivity and a library/post office for services – to convey how the Internet works in everyday terms. Someone with no technical background can now grasp that the Internet connects computers globally and helps us share information quickly, without needing to know the engineering details.

By comparing these before-and-after pairs, you can see a pattern for simplifying any explanation: trim unnecessary technical detail, use metaphors or analogies, and focus on the core idea. The simplified explanations are longer in word count, but they feel easier to follow because they use familiar ideas and straightforward language.

Explaining to a Child: Use Analogies and Stories

One of the ultimate tests of simplicity is explaining a concept to a child. Children have limited vocabulary and life experience, so you must really boil things down to the basics. In fact, this is the crux of the Feynman Technique – explaining it to a five-year-old to prove you understand it. Here’s how to approach it:

• Use very simple words and short sentences. Skip the fancy terms; use the simplest possible words to convey an idea. If you need to mention a big word (like “photosynthesis”), immediately follow it with a kid-friendly explanation (“…that means plants making food from sunlight”). Keep your sentences short and clear. Children process one idea at a time, so deliver it piece by piece.
• Build on things the child already knows. The best analogies for kids involve everyday objects or experiences they are familiar with. If you’re explaining something like electricity, you might relate it to water flowing through pipes (since kids know water from a faucet). If you’re explaining the planets, you could compare the solar system to a neighborhood where the Sun is the school and the planets are kids’ houses circling around. Tapping into what they already understand makes your explanation click.
• Tell a little story or use imagination. Turn the concept into a simple story with characters or a fun scenario. Kids love stories, and stories make ideas memorable. For example, to explain memory in a computer to a child, you could say: “Imagine your toy box – when you put toys in, you have to remember where they are. A computer’s memory is like lots of little toy boxes where it keeps all the information it needs.” You might even personify parts of the concept: “The sun is like a big warm friend giving energy to all the plants, who are busy making food from it like little chefs.” It may feel silly to an adult, but these playful narratives can light up understanding for a child.
• Encourage questions and keep it interactive. Children are naturally curious and they might interrupt with “Why?” or “How?” – use that! It’s a chance to clarify further. Be patient and try to view the topic from their eyes. If a child looks confused, back up and try a different explanation or analogy. For instance, if they don’t get the first comparison, maybe draw a quick sketch or use a physical prop (like two toys talking to each other to represent a phone call). The more senses and angles you engage (speaking, drawing, storytelling), the better the chance the idea will stick.

Above all, keep the tone positive and encouraging. If the child doesn’t get it right away, that’s okay – it’s the concept that might need adjusting, not their ability. By using gentle analogies and stories, you make learning feel like play. And even adults appreciate this approach! Often, an analogy that works for a child will also make an adult think “Oh, now I see what you mean.” Simplifying for kids is really an exercise in clarity for all ages.

(Remember: explaining to a child isn’t about being condescending or “dumbing down” – it’s about finding that clear, core description that anyone, even a five-year-old, can understand. If you can do that, you truly understand the concept yourself.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Simplify

While simplifying an explanation, be careful not to step into these common traps:

• Using Jargon or Acronyms Unthinkingly: It’s easy to slip back into expert language without realizing it. Terms or acronyms familiar to you might bewilder someone else. Always double-check your explanation for any “secret code” words. For example, saying “Our KPI for the SaaS ARR needs improvement” will likely confuse a layperson. Spell things out in plain English instead: “We need to improve one of our key success measures: how much recurring revenue our software service brings in.” If you must use a technical term, pause to define it in simple words. Avoiding unnecessary jargon prevents alienating your audience.
• Oversimplifying to the point of inaccuracy: On the flip side, simplifying doesn’t mean distorting the truth. A classic mistake is glossing over so much detail that the explanation becomes misleading or wrong. Don’t sacrifice key facts or caveats that are necessary for understanding. For instance, saying “Climate change just means the weather gets hotter everywhere” is an oversimplification – it leaves out important nuances (like how it can also cause extreme cold spells or storms). As a business article noted, oversimplification can “obscure critical nuances and overlook important details”. So strive for simplicity with accuracy: include the essential points, even if you have to mention them briefly or in a beginner-friendly way.
• Talking down to the audience (being condescending): Simplifying for someone does not mean you assume they’re unintelligent. Be careful with your tone and phrasing – you want to be clear, not patronizing. For example, avoid saying things like “It’s really simple, I don’t know why people don’t get this.” Instead, show empathy: “This topic can be confusing, but here’s a way to think about it….” If you’re explaining to adults, especially in a professional context, don’t use a kiddie analogy that might insult their expertise. Respect your audience. Provide clarity while acknowledging that they could understand the full complexity – you’re just making it easier and faster for them by distilling it.
• Using too many analogies or fluff: Analogies are powerful, but using too many or the wrong kind can confuse rather than clarify. Mixing multiple metaphors can muddy the waters (imagine explaining an economic recession by both comparing it to a “fever” and a “storm” in the same breath – the listener might lose track). Pick one strong analogy or example and stick to it for that explanation. Similarly, don’t pad the explanation with so many anecdotes or side stories that the main point gets lost. One well-chosen comparison or story is usually enough to illuminate the idea.
• Dumping information instead of building understanding: Explanation is not a data transfer; it’s about guiding someone to insight. A mistake is to rattle off a dozen facts hoping some will stick. That approach often leaves people overwhelmed. Instead, focus on a logical flow: start from something simple or known, then add the next layer, and so on. If you find yourself listing unrelated facts or jumping around, pause and restructure. A coherent story or progression is much easier to follow than a heap of disparate facts. Remember, clarity comes from structure as much as from word choice.
• Not checking for understanding or feedback: Finally, don’t assume that just because you explained, the other person understood. A common pitfall is delivering a simplified explanation and ending it there. It’s always good to verify – ask a quick question like, “Does that make sense?” or let them summarize in their own words. Watch for nonverbal cues too: a puzzled look can tell you if you need to try a different angle. The goal is communication, not just a one-way lecture. By staying open to feedback, you can refine your explanation on the fly (or for next time). It also makes the person you’re explaining to feel involved rather than talked at.

Avoiding these mistakes will make your simplified explanations not only clearer but also more respectful and effective. Simplifying is a bit of an art – it requires empathy and awareness. Keep your audience’s perspective in mind, and you’ll steer clear of these common errors.

Final Thoughts

Learning to explain things simply is like learning any other skill: it takes practice and awareness. At first, you might catch yourself falling into some of the traps above or struggling to find the right analogy. That’s okay. With time, you’ll develop an intuition for what kind of explanation works best for different people. Remember that even experts like Feynman honed their communication skills over years – he continually sought new ways to illustrate complex physics in everyday terms.

Above all, value understanding over impression. It can be tempting to use big words to sound knowledgeable, but real wisdom shows in your ability to make others understand and care about the topic. As you apply the tips from this guide – using plain language, analogies, examples, and a touch of storytelling – you’ll notice your listeners nodding along more often, eyes lighting up with that “I get it now!” look. That’s the true reward of a simple explanation.

So next time you face a complex concept, take a deep breath and remember: break it down, use familiar ideas, and speak as if you’re explaining to a friend (or a curious child). In doing so, you’ll not only help others learn, but you’ll also deepen your own mastery of the subject. And in a world full of information overload, the ability to strip away complexity and share understanding is a truly powerful skill. Happy explaining!

Sources:

1. James P. Gray, Los Angeles Times – Quote from Albert Einstein on the importance of simple explanations.
2. Francis J. Flynn, Fast Company – Account of Richard Feynman’s reputation as “the Great Explainer” and the value of clear communication tools.
3. Alexandra Silva, Medium – Description of the Feynman Technique, emphasizing explaining to a child and using analogies to deepen understanding.
4. Med School Insiders – Guidance on simplifying terms and using analogies, noting the importance of thinking how to explain a concept to a child.
5. Business.com – Discussion on why using technical jargon can hinder understanding for general audiences.
6. Datta Pawar, LinkedIn Pulse – Warning against oversimplification and condescension in communication, especially regarding the “curse of knowledge” in expert contexts.