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Confidence / Speaking Clearly / Lesson 37
LESSON 37 · SPEAKING CLEARLY

Explain Something Complicated Simply

Thirty-two easy ways to explain something complicated simply, so anyone can understand and remember it.

Simple is smart. Clear beats clever.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking (Dale Carnegie), Talk Like TED (Carmine Gallo), Made to Stick (Chip and Dan Heath), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Simple is smart
TIP 1

Simple is smart

If you can explain something simply, you understand it deeply. Simple explanations are a sign of mastery, not a lack of it.

TRY THIS
Try to explain your job in two sentences.
Photo for the tip: Know your audience
TIP 2

Know your audience

Who are you talking to? A child, a colleague or a customer? Adjust language and detail.

TRY THIS
Write who you are explaining to.
Photo for the tip: Start with the big picture
TIP 3

Start with the big picture

Tell people what the whole thing is before the parts. A map helps.

TRY THIS
Give a one-sentence overview.
Photo for the tip: Use plain words
TIP 4

Use plain words

Replace jargon with everyday words. If you must use a term, define it.

TRY THIS
Swap one technical word.
Photo for the tip: Use an analogy
TIP 5

Use an analogy

Compare it to something familiar: “A router is like a post office.” Analogies bridge gaps.

TRY THIS
Create one analogy.
Photo for the tip: Use an example
TIP 6

Use an example

A concrete example anchors an abstract idea. Choose a relatable one.

TRY THIS
Add one example.
Photo for the tip: Tell it as a story
TIP 7

Tell it as a story

Stories explain how things happen over time. Turn a process into a short story.

TRY THIS
Tell the story of a process.
Photo for the tip: Break it into steps
TIP 8

Break it into steps

Number the steps. One to five. Steps make complex tasks doable.

TRY THIS
List steps.
Photo for the tip: Chunk it
TIP 9

Chunk it

Group related ideas. Aim for three or four groups.

TRY THIS
Group your points.
Photo for the tip: Use the "explain like I am ten" test
TIP 10

Use the "explain like I am ten" test

Imagine a bright ten-year-old listening. If they would follow, adults will.

TRY THIS
Try it on a topic.
Photo for the tip: Teach one thing at a time
TIP 11

Teach one thing at a time

Do not overload. Finish one idea before the next.

TRY THIS
Pause between ideas.
Photo for the tip: Check understanding
TIP 12

Check understanding

“Does that make sense?” or “Can you say it back?” Verify.

TRY THIS
Ask for a summary.
Photo for the tip: Invite questions
TIP 13

Invite questions

Make it safe to ask. “What would you like me to explain again?”

TRY THIS
Encourage questions.
Photo for the tip: Use visuals
TIP 14

Use visuals

A simple diagram can replace a paragraph. Draw it.

TRY THIS
Sketch on paper.
Photo for the tip: Use objects
TIP 15

Use objects

Hold up an object or use your hands to show. Physical demos help.

TRY THIS
Use a prop.
Photo for the tip: Use numbers wisely
TIP 16

Use numbers wisely

One or two numbers, explained with a comparison, are enough.

TRY THIS
Pick one figure.
Photo for the tip: Avoid acronyms
TIP 17

Avoid acronyms

Spell them out or avoid them. Many listeners will not know them.

TRY THIS
Spell out one acronym.
Photo for the tip: Avoid assuming knowledge
TIP 18

Avoid assuming knowledge

Do not assume people know background. Offer a brief recap.

TRY THIS
Add one line of context.
Photo for the tip: Avoid too much detail
TIP 19

Avoid too much detail

Detail can wait. Start with the core.

TRY THIS
Cut half the details.
Photo for the tip: Avoid long sentences
TIP 20

Avoid long sentences

Short sentences ease understanding. Use them.

TRY THIS
Break a sentence.
Photo for the tip: Repeat key points
TIP 21

Repeat key points

Say it once simply, once with an example. Repetition aids memory.

TRY THIS
Repeat the core idea.
Photo for the tip: Slow down
TIP 22

Slow down

Complex topics need a calm pace. Give people time to think.

TRY THIS
Slow by ten percent.
Photo for the tip: Pause
TIP 23

Pause

Pauses let ideas sink in. Use them often.

TRY THIS
Pause after each step.
Photo for the tip: Use signposts
TIP 24

Use signposts

“First, second, third.” Guide the listener.

TRY THIS
Use numbers.
Photo for the tip: Use contrast
TIP 25

Use contrast

“It is not X, it is Y” can clarify.

TRY THIS
Try a contrast.
Photo for the tip: Use a metaphor carefully
TIP 26

Use a metaphor carefully

Check that it fits. A bad metaphor confuses.

TRY THIS
Test it on a friend.
Photo for the tip: Practise with a friend
TIP 27

Practise with a friend

Explain it to someone outside your field. Their questions will show gaps.

TRY THIS
Do a practice.
Photo for the tip: Practise with a child
TIP 28

Practise with a child

Children ask honest questions. Good test.

TRY THIS
Try it.
Photo for the tip: Write it out first
TIP 29

Write it out first

Writing forces clarity. Draft your explanation.

TRY THIS
Write five sentences.
Photo for the tip: Edit ruthlessly
TIP 30

Edit ruthlessly

Cut anything not needed. Simplicity is edited.

TRY THIS
Cut ten percent.
Photo for the tip: Read it aloud
TIP 31

Read it aloud

Check it sounds natural. Fix stumbles.

TRY THIS
Read once.
Photo for the tip: Record yourself
TIP 32

Record yourself

Listen for confusing parts. Revise.

TRY THIS
Record and review.
Photo for the tip: Use the Feynman idea
TIP 33

Use the Feynman idea

Physicist Richard Feynman is often associated with teaching by explaining in simple terms and finding gaps. Explaining to a beginner shows what you do not yet understand.

TRY THIS
Explain a topic to an imaginary beginner.
Photo for the tip: Be patient
TIP 34

Be patient

Some ideas take time. Do not rush.

TRY THIS
Allow time.
Photo for the tip: Be kind
TIP 35

Be kind

Never make people feel stupid. Invite curiosity.

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Say, “That is a good question.”
Photo for the tip: Be honest
TIP 36

Be honest

If something is uncertain, say so. Honesty builds trust.

TRY THIS
Say “we do not know yet”.
Photo for the tip: Follow up
TIP 37

Follow up

Offer a short written summary afterwards. It supports memory.

TRY THIS
Send a three-line recap.
Photo for the tip: Learn from great teachers
TIP 38

Learn from great teachers

Watch teachers who make hard things clear. Copy their moves.

TRY THIS
Watch one explainer video.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate clarity
TIP 39

Celebrate clarity

When someone says, “Oh, now I get it”, enjoy it.

TRY THIS
Note the moment.
Photo for the tip: Start from what they already know
TIP 40

Start from what they already know

Anchor new ideas to something your listener knows well, such as a cooking, driving or sports example. A familiar starting point makes the unfamiliar part feel like a small step.

TRY THIS
Ask, “What does this remind you of?” before you explain.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

START

“Think of it like this.”

COMPARE

“It works like a kitchen.”

STEP

“First, then next.”

CHECK

“Does that make sense?”

SUM

“In short, here is the idea.”

CLOSE

“Ask me anything.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Know the point
DAY 2
Pick a comparison
DAY 3
Use plain words
DAY 4
Go step by step
DAY 5
Check
DAY 6
Sum up
DAY 7
Practise

Further reading

  • The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking (Dale Carnegie)
  • Talk Like TED (Carmine Gallo)
  • Made to Stick (Chip and Dan Heath)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Speaking Clearly lessons
Next lesson: Speak Clearly in an Argument →

More lessons in “Speaking Clearly”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Speak Clearly When Put on the SpotNext: Speak Clearly in an Argument →

  1. Slow Down by Ten Percent
  2. Speak From Your Belly, Not Your Throat
  3. The Magic of the Pause
  4. End Sentences Like You Mean Them
  5. Warm Up Your Voice in One Minute
  6. Find Your Natural Volume
  7. Vary Your Tone to Keep Attention
  8. Use Words a Ten-Year-Old Would Understand
  9. Short Sentences Sound Confident
  10. Cut Jargon and Filler Words
  11. Lead With Your Main Point
  12. Say One Idea at a Time
  13. Replace Vague Words With Exact Ones
  14. Read Your Words Out Loud First
  15. Open Your Mouth and Speak Clearly
  16. Stop Mumbling in Three Steps
  17. Pronounce Hard Words With Confidence
  18. Breathe at the Right Moments
  19. Speak Clearly on the Phone
  20. Speak Clearly on Video Calls
  21. Handle an Accent With Pride
  22. The Point, Reason, Example Formula
  23. The Rule of Three
  24. Start With Why It Matters
  25. Tell a Short Story Instead
  26. Use Numbers and Pictures Wisely
  27. Finish With One Clear Takeaway
  28. Answer a Question in Thirty Seconds
  29. Replace Um With a Silent Pause
  30. What to Do When You Lose Your Thought
  31. Recover From a Mistake Smoothly
  32. Stop Over-Explaining
  33. Stop Apologising Before You Speak
  34. Practise With a Voice Recorder
  35. Stay Clear When You Are Nervous
  36. Speak Clearly When Put on the Spot
  37. Explain Something Complicated Simply
  38. Speak Clearly in an Argument
  39. Speak Clearly to Someone Senior
  40. Your Daily Clarity Habit
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