PlaybookPrompts

Explain a concept Feynman-style, then probe for gaps

Education & Learning learningfeynman

The Feynman technique works because the act of simplifying surfaces what you don't actually know. This prompt does both halves.

Prompt 
I want to understand {{CONCEPT}} deeply enough to teach it.

Do this in 3 steps:

Step 1 — EXPLAIN: explain {{CONCEPT}} as you would to a smart 12-year-old. No jargon. Use one extended analogy.

Step 2 — PROBE: ask me 5 questions that would expose gaps if I were trying to teach this. Order them from surface-level to subtle.

Step 3 — STRESS-TEST: give me 2 edge cases or counterexamples that test whether the analogy holds. For each, say where the analogy breaks down.
Variables to fill in
  • {{CONCEPT}}

How to use this prompt

  1. Copy the prompt above (Copy button on the top-right).
  2. Replace each {{VAR}} with your own value. Variables: {{CONCEPT}}.
  3. Paste it into one of the recommended tools below.
  4. Iterate: tighten constraints in the prompt if the output is generic.

Why this prompt is structured this way

The prompt is split into explicit steps because LLMs do better when the path is named, not implied. Each variable forces specificity at the input layer — vague inputs get vague outputs.

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Pair this prompt with a tool

Perplexity

$0/mo (Pro at $20)

AI search engine with citations.

Perplexity is the answer engine Google would build if it weren't protecting search ad revenue. Cited answers, follow-up questions, focused source modes.

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Claude (Anthropic)

$0/mo (Pro at $20)

Frontier model with long context and strong reasoning.

Claude (Opus / Sonnet / Haiku tiers) is the assistant favored by writers and engineers who care about reasoning quality and tone. 1M token context on Opus.

writingcodinglearning

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

$0/mo (Plus at $20)

The category-defining general-purpose AI assistant.

ChatGPT has the broadest feature surface: image gen, voice, custom GPTs, web browsing, code execution. Often the right default; sometimes beaten on specific tasks by Claude or Perplexity.

writingcodinglearning

QuillBot

$10/mo

Paraphrasing + summarizing that actually preserves meaning.

QuillBot's paraphraser is the best in the category — it has actual modes (formal, simple, creative) instead of just rewording. Free tier is generous.

writinglearning

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