The Feynman Method: How To Truly Learn Anything And Never Forget

What is the method

So, you have learned something and you want to test your knowledge. The essence of the technique is to explain a learned topic to another person who is far from this subject. At the same time, it is not at all necessary that such a person be present next to you.

Take a piece of paper, write your topic and start explaining it. Imagine that you are writing to a person who does not understand anything about your subject, or even better, a child of about eight years old.

Children at this age have enough knowledge to understand simple explanations, but their vocabulary is rather small, so special terms will have to be described in simple words.

How it works

Since school, many have become accustomed to cramming material. We mention terms without understanding exactly what they mean. Often this happens not because you are lazy to clarify what this or that concept means, or to analyze in more detail the mechanism of work, but because of the habit of cramming the material.

It seems to you that you understand the topic, but such knowledge is very superficial - words that are not supported by images are quickly forgotten, gaps in knowledge are found.

When explaining a topic to an eight-year-old, you will not be able to use terms and learned phrases. You will have to describe everything in your own words, as simple and accessible as possible. Very soon you will find places that you cannot explain in simple language. And not because the child is too young, but because you yourself do not fully understand what is happening at this moment.

If you manage to write an explanation right away, read it again and question all the points that seem illogical, confusing and difficult to you. Try to describe them in more detail so that the child will surely understand what is at stake.

Now the matter is small - it remains to really understand all the points that you did not understand, and finish your explanation.

If you have someone not versed in the subject who agrees to read your explanations, even better. He will be able to ask questions on all incomprehensible points and help you further deepen your knowledge.

Where to apply the Feynman method

Using this method, you can test any knowledge: physical formulas, principles of operation of various devices and the functioning of living organisms, economic mechanisms and much more.

This technique will help not only in the learning process, but also during work. For example, you can use it to prepare reports or presentations. A simple speech is always perceived and remembered better than a presentation told in a complex language, with an abundance of special terms and phrases.

The Feynman Method will help you simplify your talk as much as possible and make sure everyone understands it.