Learn a hard topic with the Feynman technique

This prompt teaches a topic in steps. It first explains it simply with an everyday analogy, then asks you to explain it back in your own words so it can point out the gaps in your understanding.

text-feynman-technique — chatgpt — 63 words

Teach me [TOPIC] using the Feynman technique.

My level: [BEGINNER / SOME KNOWLEDGE]

Step 1: explain it in simple words with one everyday analogy. Step 2: ask me to explain it back in my own words. Step 3: point out exactly where my explanation is wrong or vague. Step 4: re-teach only those gaps. Do not move on until I get it right.

Edit in the builder Copy & open ChatGPT ↗Copy & open Gemini ↗Copy & open Claude ↗

Type your explanation like you are teaching a friend. The gaps show up fast.

Get a better result

What you will get

A short back-and-forth: a plain-words explanation with one everyday analogy, a request for you to explain it back, a pointed list of where you were wrong or vague, and a re-teach of only those gaps.

Common mistake

You skim the explanation and do not really try to explain it back.

Fix: Write your explanation in full, as if teaching a friend, and avoid copying phrases. The gaps only show up when you use your own words.

Also watch for

The AI moves on after a half-right answer. Remind it of the last rule: “do not move on until I explain the whole idea correctly”. Ask for a one-line check before each new step.
The topic is too big, so the explanation stays shallow. Split a large topic into parts, such as one chapter or one formula at a time, and run the prompt for each part.

Try a variation: exam revision mode

Add “after each gap is fixed, ask me two exam-style questions on it and mark my answers out of 5”. Good for a week before a test.

Still not right? Reply with this

Do not give me the answer yet. Ask me one question that tests the exact part I got wrong, and wait for my reply.