Think Clear, Write Fast

Feynman’s 4 Steps Make Your Message Stick

If you stare at a blank page, unsure where to start, the problem isn’t your writing. It’s how well you understand the topic.

The Feynman Technique fixes that.

This method makes you explain what you know in the plainest language possible.

The Feynman Technique is a 4-step process to break down big ideas.

Pick a topic.

Explain it simply, as if to a child.

Identify where you got stuck or used vague words.

Review, simplify, and repeat until it flows.

Take an idea and write it in plain language. If you can’t, you’re missing something. It’s not about sounding smart, it’s being clear.

When you apply the Feynman Technique, you stop trying to sound clever. You start to sound honest. Honest writing moves faster.

If you write about cloud computing, start by writing:

“Cloud computing refers to the practice of using remote servers for storage and services.”

That’s fine, but it’s vague. Explain it like this instead:

“Cloud computing means storing files or running software on someone else’s computer, instead of your own.”

Now take that sentence and ask: Where’s the gap?

Maybe the phrase “someone else’s computer” is too loose. Is it owned by a company? Is it shared? Do users know where their data goes?

You dive in, fix the gaps, and write:

“Cloud computing means a company lets you use their servers through the internet. You store your files there or run apps without needing your own hardware.”

Cleaner. Simpler. Clear enough to write a strong article from it.

Once you’ve nailed your explanation, writing gets easier. You don’t stall in the introduction.

You don’t spend an hour shaping paragraphs that don’t say anything.

A lot of repetition in writing comes from uncertainty. When you know what you mean, you say it once and move on.

You write tighter. A simplified draft is shorter and easier to structure. You know what each section needs to say because you understand the idea you’re sharing.

If you write about emotional regulation, don’t start with vague phrases like “harnessing your inner strength.” Start with something clear.

“Emotional regulation means learning to notice your feelings and choosing how you react to them.”

Want to explain blockchain?

“Blockchain is a way to keep records that everyone can see and no one can change.”

Writing about burnout?

“Burnout happens when work demands too much energy for too long and you stop caring.”

These are quick, grounded explanations. They’re starting points for powerful writing.

Add this into your workflow.

Before you outline, write a plain explanation of your topic in one or two short sentences.

If you can’t do it clearly, break the idea down into pieces and explain each one.

Fix vague spots. Anywhere you used a buzzword, soften it until it makes sense.

Use the simplified explanation to guide your intro, your key points, and your ending.

Read your writing aloud to catch clunky lines or missing logic.

Practice this once per draft to spend less time rewriting. Your writing will get sharper with fewer edits.