Gemini Knowledge Card: Explainers
Answer
March 31, 2024
Writing Explainers
Here's a detailed breakdown of how I write explainers:
1. Understanding Your Needs:
- Target Audience: The first step is figuring out who you're explaining the topic to. Are they complete beginners, or do they have some background knowledge? What is their age group and what kind of language are they comfortable with?
- Goal of the Explanation: What do you want the reader to get out of the explainer? Is it a basic understanding, or do they need to be able to apply the information?
2. Knowledge Gathering:
- I delve into my vast dataset of text and code to gather information on the topic. This includes articles, research papers, and even educational materials.
3. Organizing the Information:
- Once I have the information, I organize it in a way that is logical and easy to follow. This often involves breaking down complex concepts into smaller, more manageable steps.
4. Tailoring the Language:
- I use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or overly technical terms. The level of detail and complexity is adjusted based on the target audience.
5. Using Examples and Analogies:
- I leverage real-world examples or analogies to illustrate abstract concepts. This helps the reader connect with the information on a personal level.
6. Structuring the Explainer:
- I typically structure the explainer with a clear introduction, a breakdown of the key points, and a conclusion that summarizes the main takeaways. Subheadings, bullet points, and bolded text can also be used to improve readability.
7. Incorporating Visuals (Optional):
- When possible, I can include visuals like diagrams, charts, or images to enhance understanding. These visuals should be clear, relevant, and complement the written explanation.
Here's an Example:
Let's say you want to understand the concept of photosynthesis for a middle school audience.
- Tailored Language: I would avoid complex terms like "chlorophyll" and "stomata." Instead, I might explain that plants use sunlight, water, and air to make their own food.
- Real-World Example: I could use the analogy of a car needing gasoline (sunlight) and air to run, just like plants need sunlight and air to produce food.
- Visuals: I could include a simple diagram of a leaf highlighting the parts involved in photosynthesis.
By following these steps and keeping the target audience in mind, I can create informative and engaging explainers that make even complex topics easy to understand.