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Have you ever found a subject so tricky? No matter how hard you tried, you just couldn’t understand it completely. Maybe it was a math lesson at school or a complicated idea in science. Don’t worry, because today I’m going to teach you a powerful method called the Feynman Technique. This method helps you learn anything faster, simpler, and deeper.
My name is Max Hoang, and if you’re new to my blog, welcome! Here, I share valuable lessons I’ve learned from books, online courses, and my own life experiences. My goal is to help you learn new skills and ideas easily. Today’s blog is about mastering the Feynman Technique, an amazing tool to boost your understanding.
What is the Feynman Technique?
The Feynman Technique is named after Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist famous for his simple explanations of difficult scientific ideas. He believed if you can’t explain a concept simply, you don’t understand it well enough.

In simple words, the Feynman Technique helps you break down complicated ideas into basic explanations that even a child could understand. It’s an effective way to learn deeply and clearly. Let’s see how it works step by step.
Step 1: Learn the Topic
The first step is choosing the topic you want to learn. This could be anything: learning how computers work, understanding how plants grow, or even mastering a math concept like fractions.
Example:
Let’s say you want to learn about “gravity.” Start by researching it. Look up gravity in books, educational videos, or reliable websites. Read articles, watch explanations, and gather different viewpoints.
Tip:
Take notes. Writing helps your brain remember important points.
Step 2: Teach it to a Child
Imagine you have to explain gravity to a child. When you teach something to kids, you naturally avoid big words and complicated sentences. You simplify and get straight to the main idea.
Example:
You might explain gravity like this:
“Gravity is the invisible force that pulls things down to Earth. When you jump up, gravity pulls you back down. That’s why apples fall from trees, and why we stay on the ground instead of floating into space.”
Notice how simple and clear that was?
Why is this important?
If you can’t explain something simply, it probably means you haven’t understood it completely yet.
Step 3: Share it with Others
Now that you have a simple explanation, it’s time to share it. This step is important because it helps you find out how clear your explanation truly is. Sharing can happen in many ways:
- Writing a short post on your blog
- Creating a video on social media
- Discussing with friends or family at dinner
- Presenting in class or group discussions
Example:
You could post your explanation of gravity on your blog or social media, like this:
“Gravity is why we stay on Earth and don’t float away. It pulls everything toward the center of Earth. Imagine throwing a ball up—it always comes down because gravity pulls it.”
The idea here is simple, clear, and easy for everyone to understand.
Why sharing helps:
Sharing lets you see if your audience understands your explanation. If they ask questions or seem confused, you know exactly which part needs more clarity.
Step 4: Review and Improve
After sharing, pay attention to feedback. Did people understand your explanation? Can they explain the idea back to you? If they struggle, that’s good! It tells you exactly what you need to learn better.
Example:
If someone asks, “But why does gravity exist?” and you don’t know, it means you need to research more about that aspect. Go back to step 1 and explore deeper.
Review helps you constantly improve. Each cycle of the Feynman Technique strengthens your knowledge and understanding.
Why Does the Feynman Technique Work?
This technique works because it forces your brain to simplify complex ideas into the most basic form. Teaching others (especially children) requires clear thinking and careful word choice. Each time you teach and get feedback, your understanding becomes clearer and deeper.
As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says:
“The person who learns the most in any classroom is the teacher.”
This means every time you teach, you actually learn twice. You discover gaps in your understanding and fill them.
More Examples of Using the Feynman Technique:
- Math (Fractions): Instead of saying, “Fractions represent part of a whole,” say, “Imagine a pizza cut into four equal pieces. If you take one piece, that’s one-fourth of the pizza.”
- History (World War II): Instead of complicated details, simplify: “World War II was a big war where many countries fought because some wanted more power. It ended with peace and taught the world how important it is to solve problems without fighting.”
- Science (Photosynthesis): Instead of complex terms, explain, “Photosynthesis is how plants eat. Plants use sunlight, water, and air to make their own food, helping them grow.”
Each example above is simple, clear, and easy for anyone to understand.
Tips for Success with the Feynman Technique:
- Keep language simple and clear.
- Always ask yourself, “Would a child understand this?”
- Share your ideas publicly and openly.
- Embrace feedback and use it to improve.
Remember, your goal is not just to know something but to truly understand it deeply.
Conclusion
Mastering the Feynman Technique helps you learn faster and better. It turns complicated ideas into clear, simple explanations. Follow these four steps—learn, simplify, share, and review—and you’ll soon master any topic.
Thank you for reading! If you found this helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Visit MaxHoang.com.au for more useful tips and learning strategies.
Remember, the secret to learning more is to simplify and teach others. See you in the next blog post!