How I Explain Things
Or, a list of common pitfalls to avoid while explaining hard concepts
👋 Hey, Abhishek here! Welcome to the 108th edition of The Sunday Wisdom. Each week I share ideas on thinking clearly and making better decisions. If you have some wisdom to share with other readers, you can send them to me. In return, I’ll post them here (with proper credit).
Note: If you find this valuable, can you do me a favour and click the little grey heart below my name (above)? It helps get the word out about this budding newsletter. 😍
Today, let’s talk about writing. More precisely, how I write. All my essays are either explanations or instructions, most of them full of arguments. I’m not the best writer, but since I write (two newsletters) every week I do get a lot of practice. And over the years (knowingly or unknowingly) I’ve developed a small list of common pitfalls to avoid.
Here are some guidelines I use while explaining things. These aren’t rules I follow all the time. I break them often. But they do help me keep certain things in mind while writing my weekly essays. Hope these will help you as well. Let’s go!
1. Don’t have inconsistent expectations from the reader.
There are authors who will explain the simplest of concepts (such as cognitive bias) in full details while glossing over not-so-easy concepts (such as prospect theory). It doesn’t help. A reader who understands prospect theory understands what’s cognitive bias, but this isn’t true the other way around.
A good approach is to write for a specific person in mind, not a specific segment of audience. A segment is too big and too blurry. If you define a real person (not a fictitious persona) and write for them, you would be in a better position to avoid such inconsistencies.
If you write for your 16-year-old nephew, you wouldn’t even think of glossing over important details without explaining them. If you write for your professor friend, you won’t be explaining everything in details.
As for me, I write for myself. I write to explain things to myself. This is how I learn. It’s not the best way to write (because I often skip explaining important details) and I don’t recommend it, but it has helped me remain consistent all these years, so I can’t risk changing it. 😉
2. Don’t give weird analogies.
While trying to explain a complex (or even a simple) idea, authors often tend to give farfetched analogies. “Think of closing a sale as a bank heist.” While it’s fun to read (and write) good analogies, the real motive often gets lost in translation. If the analogy is “cool” but not appropriate, the reader is left with open questions. This neither serves the writer nor the reader.
The first rule is, don’t use an analogy unless it’s necessary. For example, “When you are in a state of flow, you feel like water running downstream,” is not an important analogy. Readers can understand the concept without the analogy.
And if you have to use an analogy, use one with a limited scope (that has a direct correlation to the concept you are explaining). In Algorithms to Live By, the authors give the analogy of a washer and dryer cycle to explain a scheduling algorithm. It works because for one, it’s a complex topic and, the analogy is limited to wash cycles only (and not washing clothes in general). There’s no ambiguity.
3. Don’t use jargon.
“Probability” is a jargon, even though I use it all the time. “Behavioural Economics” is a jargon. “Ergodicity,” “Empiricism,” “Epistemology,” and other such E words are jargon.
A jargon is confusing because it tricks the reader into thinking something specific is being said, when the information they need is actually not there. “This framework is adversity-secure but not foolproof.” This sentence may sound smart, but is ambiguous. The simpler version would be, “This framework may fail in extreme conditions, especially if we aren’t careful.”
Jargon are also a great way to sound smart without actually being smart. It’s a huuuge pain to write in simple words and, many authors, those who don’t have a clear understanding of the subject, struggle with it all the time. I struggle with it all the time. Bad authors hide behind jargon. Good authors fight them.
4. Don’t introduce too many concepts at a time.
I made this classic mistake when I introduced 25 logical fallacies in one go. It was too much to write. It was too much to read. It was just way too much info to process in one go. Most of these concepts were ‘heavy’ and needed their own space. Cramming them together didn’t leave any breathing space for the reader.
You want the reader to reach the end of the post (in one go) and feel they have learnt something new. Reading about too many concepts in one go can overload them. It overloads me. It’s also a waste of time if I have to re-read a post just to make sure I understood the concept. I would prefer to read a new post instead.
A good thumb rule is to stick to one topic per post. A second or third topic might be referenced (with a detailed explanation in a separate post) but should never be introduced in one single post.
5. Don’t build suspense.
When you are explaining things, you are optimising for speed and efficiency. You want the reader to scan, understand, and move on. If you are planning to add suspense and drama with a lot of foreshadowing, this isn’t the place.
There are certain types of posts where the real joy is found in reading and experiencing the prose. I call them coffee table posts. Explanations aren’t coffee table posts. Readers come here to get maximum wisdom in minimum time, so don’t waste their time building up a story with a big exposé at the end. It doesn’t work. Readers leave before they reach the end.
Drama is good, but only if you can build tension and release it within a paragraph. Don’t use the whole post for that.
I Need Your Help!
I want to make The Sunday Wisdom the best thing you read all week. If you can take some time to answer some of my questions, I would be grateful. I’m fully invested in this newsletter and I want to make sure every issue you read is totally worthwhile. Thanks a tonne!
Some of you said that you wanted to contribute to this newsletter. I couldn’t be more stoked. If we can bring our collective wisdom together, nothing better than that! Here’s a link to contribute to the newsletter. Go nuts!
Interesting Finds
The power of basic income as an economic right has been lost. This talk seeks to remind us of the origins of basic income and its power to address poverty. There are three primary concerns with a basic income and this talk addresses each with evidence-based and empathy-based arguments.
For every Stephen King there is a Richard Bachman that never saw the light of day. Most lower-middle class kids don’t get the chance to get a full ride to a top university. And even fewer ever find their passion and get to do it everyday. Some of us are born with more advantages than others and some of us are born with less, but you should never let that define how hard you try.
Highly specific questions are better on average. With any possible question, ask yourself in advance: can the person being asked the question respond too easily in a vague and not very useful way? “Why did you write a book about Napoleon? Well, let me tell you, French history always fascinated me,” etc. If that is the kind of slop you might get back in response, try making the question more pointed or more specific.
Timeless Insight
People use small talk as a way of relaxing into a new relationship, and only once they’re comfortable do they connect more seriously. Sensitive people, on the other hand, do the reverse. They enjoy small talk only after they’ve gone deep. When sensitive people are in environments that nurture their authenticity, they laugh and chitchat just as much as anyone else.
— What You Don’t Know About Introverts
What I’m Reading
Implementing extreme ownership requires checking your ego and operating with a high degree of humility. Admitting mistakes, taking ownership, and developing a plan to overcome challenges are integral to any successful team.
— Jocko Willink, Extreme Ownership
Tiny Thought
Seeing our past self as a fool is sign of growth. Taming the present fool within is sign of wisdom.
This week’s newsletter is brought to you by Expander.
Is there something stressing you out at work? Are you dealing with an underperforming employee? Feeling lost in your career? Is your boss being an a-hole? Every week, I humbly tackle reader questions about the essential skills, frameworks, and practices you need to learn to make an impact and grow in your career. Check it out!
Talk to Me
Do you agree with what I said, or do you think otherwise? As always, I value your feedback (suggestions, critiques, positive reinforcement, constructive insults, etc.), as well as your tips, ideas, and anecdotes: abhishek@coffeeandjunk.com. Or use the comments! 🤜🤛
Want to read all my ~200+ posts since 2018? Visit CoffeeAndJunk.com.
Until next Sunday,
Abhishek 👋