Explains a concept simply with a one-sentence version, an analogy that's honest about its limits, and a worked example. Designed not to oversimplify into wrongness.
Productivity & research1,815 copies
Explain like I'm five
JJordan Park·
Explain {{concept}} to {{audience}}.
Three parts:
1. **The one-sentence version.**
2. **The everyday analogy** — something the reader already understands. Make sure it actually maps to the real thing — note where the analogy breaks down.
3. **A worked example** — a single concrete instance, walked through step by step.
Avoid jargon. If you have to use a technical term, define it the first time. Don't oversimplify in a way that becomes wrong — being clear and being correct are not in tension.