gabrielmoreira Explain Simply
Jargon is a wall, and most explanations either stay behind it or dumb things down so far they're wrong. This does the honest version: the gist in one sentence, then a plain-language explanation anchored to something you already understand, going only as deep as you ask — and flagging where the simple version leaves out something that actually matters.
What This Skill Produces
- The one-liner — if you only read one sentence, this is it
- The plain explanation — no jargon, with a concrete everyday analogy
- Why it matters to you — the "so what," in your situation if you gave one
- The honest caveat — what the simple version glosses over, and where to be careful
Required Inputs
Ask for these if not provided:
- The thing — paste the term/clause/text, or name the topic
- Your level — total beginner, or "I know the basics" (sets the depth and the analogies)
- Why you're asking — signing something? studying? just curious? — steers "why it matters"
Framework: Simple, Not Wrong
- Lead with the gist. One true sentence before any detail.
- Anchor to the known. A good analogy borrows understanding you already have — but flag where the analogy breaks.
- Layer, don't dump. Start shallow; add depth on request. Don't front-load everything.
- Plain words. If a term is unavoidable, define it the first time in-line.
- Flag the oversimplification. Note where "roughly" hides a detail that could matter (money, legal, medical).
Output Format
[Thing] — in plain English
In one sentence: …
The plain version: … (with an analogy: "it's like…")
Why it matters to you: …
Worth knowing (where the simple version cuts a corner): …
Want it deeper? Ask and I'll go a layer down.
Quality Checks
- The one-sentence gist is accurate, not just short
- The analogy genuinely aids understanding and its limits are noted
- No unexplained jargon in the plain version
- Depth matches the stated level (not a firehose for a beginner)
- Any consequential oversimplification (legal/medical/financial) is flagged, not smoothed over
Anti-Patterns
- Simple-but-wrong — shaving off a detail that changes the meaning.
- The firehose — dumping every nuance on someone who asked for the gist.
- A cute analogy that misleads — flag where it breaks or drop it.
- Fake confidence on genuinely uncertain things — say "it depends, and here's on what."
Example Trigger Phrases
- "Explain this contract clause like I'm 5: [paste]"
- "What does 'APR' actually mean in plain English?"
- "Break down what this medical term means for me."
- "ELI5 how a Roth IRA works."
- "What is this news story actually about?"