The Feynman technique: study by explaining it simply
Check your understanding by explaining a topic in plain language, spotting the gaps and fixing them.
KS3GCSEA-LevelMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolAPCurriculum fit: Study skills for all GCSE, A-Level, US middle school, high school and AP courses. Related to self-explanation, which research rates as moderately useful.
On this page
What is it?
The Feynman technique is a way to test your understanding. You choose a topic, explain it in simple language as though to a younger student, notice where you get stuck, and then go back to your notes to fill the gaps.
It is named after the physicist Richard Feynman, and it is similar to what researchers call self-explanation, which has been rated as moderately useful for learning.
Key formulas and ideas
- Step 1: pick a topic and write its name at the top of a page.
- Step 2: explain it in plain words, as if teaching someone new to it.
- Step 3: find gaps: where did you hesitate, use jargon or get stuck?
- Step 4: go back to your notes or textbook, fix the gaps and simplify your explanation again.
Worked examples
Example 1: Explain photosynthesis
Question: Explain photosynthesis in two sentences for a 10-year-old.
- Use simple words and an analogy.
- Include inputs and outputs.
Answer: Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into food (sugar) and oxygen, a bit like making their own meals from light.
Example 2: Spot the gap
Question: While explaining, you cannot say why the sky is blue. What should you do?
- Mark it as a gap.
- Look it up in your notes or textbook.
- Rewrite the explanation in your own words.
Answer: Mark the gap, study it, then re-explain
Example 3: Use it with a friend
Question: How could you do this with a study partner?
- Take turns to explain a topic.
- The listener asks 'why?' and 'how do you know?'.
- Swap and repeat.
Answer: Take turns explaining and questioning each other
Common mistakes
- Using jargon to hide a gap in understanding.
- Reading your notes while explaining.
- Stopping once the explanation sounds fine without testing it.
- Choosing topics that are too big.
Practice questions
Frequently asked questions
Why use simple language?
If you can explain an idea simply, you probably understand it. Complicated words can hide confusion.
Can I explain to an imaginary student?
Yes. Speaking aloud, to a mirror, a pet or a recording works well.
Related guides
Active recall: the best way to revise (with examples)
Learn why testing yourself beats rereading, and four simple ways to use active recall: flashcards, blank-page recall and practice questions.
KS3GCSEA-LevelMiddle School+3Mind maps for revision: how to make them work
Use mind maps to organise a topic, then turn them into a memory test so they actually help you remember.
KS3GCSEA-LevelMiddle School+2SQ3R: how to read a textbook and remember it
Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review: a five-step routine for learning from textbooks and long texts.
GCSEA-LevelHigh SchoolAP+1Sources and review
- Dunlosky et al. (2013), Improving Students' Learning With Effective Learning Techniques, Psychological Science in the Public Interest
- Education Endowment Foundation: Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning guidance report
Reviewed by StudyMorrow editorial review on 5 Nov 2026.