The Feynman Technique is a powerful learning strategy named after Richard Feynman, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist celebrated for his ability to simplify complex concepts.
This technique focuses on one core principle:
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
Let’s break it down.
What Is The Feynman Technique?
At its heart, the Feynman Technique is a method of learning through teaching. Instead of passively reading or memorizing, you actively engage with the topic by trying to explain it in your own words—as if you were teaching it to someone else, even a child.
This helps you:
- Understand ideas more deeply
- Spot gaps in your knowledge
- Build long-term retention
How To Use The Feynman Technique (Step-by-Step)
1. Pick a Concept
Choose a topic you want to understand better—be it a scientific theory, a math principle, or a historical event.
2. Write It in Your Own Words
On a blank page, write down everything you know about the topic using simple language. No jargon. Just clear thoughts.
3. Identify What You Don’t Know
While writing, you’ll likely notice gaps in your understanding. This is a good thing! Go back to your resources—books, lectures, notes—and fill those gaps.
4. Teach It Like You’re Talking to a 5-Year-Old
Now, pretend you’re explaining the topic to a child. Use analogies, examples, and stories. If it still feels complicated, simplify it more.
Why It Works
This technique taps into what’s known as the Protégé Effect—the idea that teaching something helps you learn it better. When you explain an idea in simple terms:
- You uncover weak areas
- You reinforce memory
- You engage in active learning (which is far more effective than passive review)
If you can’t explain something in plain language, you likely don’t fully understand it yet.
The Feynman Technique pushes you to reach that level of clarity—and once you do, the knowledge sticks.
