The Feynman Technique is not just about memorizing facts or information, but about deeply integrating knowledge into your cognitive framework. For instance, when reading a book or studying a new concept, the technique encourages you to explain the material in your own words. If you find yourself merely repeating the text verbatim or slightly rephrasing it, it indicates that you haven’t truly understood the underlying idea.
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Don't forget to check out our first article on the Faymen technique HERE.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────However, if you can dissect the concept, delve into its core meaning, and then articulate it using entirely different words while preserving its essence, it demonstrates that you’ve not only processed the text but also comprehended the idea behind it. This is what it means to truly understand something according to the Feynman Technique.
Fortunately, this technique is universally applicable. Whether you’re reading a book, studying for an exam, or exploring a new idea, you can employ this method. By explaining the concept in your own words, you can continually assess and enhance your understanding.
The Feynman Technique is an incredibly effective tool for enhancing comprehension, and here’s a practical guide on how to utilize this method to maximize your understanding of reading.
Step 1 - Analytical Reading
The initial step, akin to many other reading strategies, involves analytical reading. This means you need to meticulously dissect the author’s narrative, extract the key points, and comprehend the central themes. It’s about understanding the message that the author intends to convey and recognizing its significance.
Analytical reading requires you to question the information presented. Is it factual? How does it align with your existing knowledge? What implications does it hold? By doing so, you delve deeper into the essence of the text, allowing you to extract valuable insights from your reading.
Step 2 - Identify Key Points
The second step, which should ideally be performed concurrently as you progress through the book, involves identifying the main points. You need to discern what the most crucial arguments or statements are. What are the actionable insights? How does this information relate to other knowledge you possess?
Engaging with the book in this manner requires active reading. It’s not just about passively absorbing the words on the page, but actively interrogating the text, connecting it with your existing knowledge base, and identifying potential actions based on the insights gained.
Step 3 - Extract and Translate Key Points
The third step involves consolidating the key points you’ve identified. After completing the book, revisit the points you’ve marked. What are the central takeaways? A book is essentially a single core idea, elaborated on and illustrated in various ways to convey the message effectively. Your task is to distill this core idea.
Once you’ve gathered these key points, the next step is to translate them into your own words. This process of translation allows you to internalize the concepts, link them to your existing knowledge, and truly make them your own.
It’s beneficial to have a dedicated space for this process, whether it’s a physical notebook or a digital note-taking app like Notion. Having a designated area allows you to experiment with ideas, rephrase them in your own language, and explore their connections with other concepts you know. This practice helps you move beyond the confines of the book’s context and apply the insights in various other domains.
Step 4 - Determine Your ‘Teaching’ Style
The fourth step is where the Feynman Technique truly comes to life. This step involves deciding on a ‘teaching’ style. The format isn’t important, and you don’t necessarily need an audience. The goal is to find a way to articulate what you’ve learned in your own words, thereby reinforcing your understanding.
You could choose from a variety of formats. For instance, you could write articles or tweets about what you’ve learned, or post reviews on platforms like Goodreads. You could create videos or audio recordings discussing the concepts, even if they’re only for personal use. If you’re fortunate, you might have a friend or family member willing to listen to your explanations, which not only leads to interesting conversations but also forces you to articulate the concepts clearly.
The key is that the format should enable you to express an idea in your own words and deliver it somehow, whether it’s to yourself, an audience, or a friend. Even if your ‘teaching’ never sees the light of day, it’s still beneficial. You could be writing in a personal journal, making notes on your phone, or pretending to teach an invisible class on a whiteboard. The act of ‘teaching’ forces you to truly understand the topic.
If you find yourself unable to explain a concept, it’s an indication that there’s something you haven’t fully understood. This realization prompts you to revisit the material and fill in any gaps in your knowledge.
For example, my version of this technique involves creating content for a YouTube channel and writing articles and tweets. This process not only ensures I understand the material but also allows me to reiterate it in my own words, synthesizing information from various sources with my unique perspective.
Step 5 - Teach!
The final step is to put your knowledge into action and teach what you’ve learned. This might seem daunting initially, but chances are, you’re more prepared than you think. The knowledge you’ve acquired is valuable and worth sharing, even if it’s not immediately made public.
Teaching accelerates your learning process and deepens your understanding. If you make teaching an integral part of your learning process, it becomes a habit. As you read, you’ll find yourself automatically explaining passages or examples in your own words to check your understanding.
One of the unexpected benefits of this process is that it can lead to public recognition. You might be surprised at how many people are interested in hearing what you have to say about a particular topic. Whether it’s Roman history, a branch of engineering, or any other niche interest that you’ve spent time learning about, there’s likely an audience out there eager to learn from you.
Practice example 1
Let’s put this technique into practice with an example that you can try right now. Consider the phrase “Nothing acts except what is actual,” borrowed from Mortimer J. Adler’s “How to Read a Book.” At first glance, this phrase might seem confusing or abstract.
The goal is to break down this phrase and translate it into simpler terms. When we say something “acts,” it means it’s doing something. When we say something is “actual,” it means it’s real or true. So, the phrase “Nothing acts except what is actual” can be translated as “Only real things can perform actions.”
This exercise demonstrates the Feynman Technique in action. We took an abstract concept, understood its underlying idea, and translated it into simpler terms. Now we can express this idea in countless different ways.
Practice example 2
Here’s another example for you to try, this time a quote from St. Thomas Aquinas: “Whatever is received is received according to the nature of the recipient.” As with many philosophical statements, it might seem complex at first glance. However, if we claim to understand it, we must be able to see beyond the words and grasp the underlying concept.
Let’s break it down. The phrase “whatever is received” could refer to anything that is taken in, such as information, an object, or an experience. The phrase “is received according to the nature of the recipient” suggests that the way this ‘thing’ is perceived or interpreted depends on the characteristics of the individual receiving it.
In simpler terms, Aquinas is saying that our preconceptions and biases influence how we interpret new information. Once we understand this concept, we can apply it in numerous situations. For instance, two people might interpret the same news article differently based on their personal beliefs and experiences.
The key takeaway here is the importance of action. Once you’ve understood a concept using this technique, the next step is to apply it, which will further enhance your learning.
Be brave, keep trying, and remember that every attempt brings you one step closer to understanding. Thank you for reading this article.
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