Explain a confusing topic like I'm smart but know nothing
Need to understand something complicated — a contract, a medical term, a news topic? This makes it simple without being condescending.
Copy this prompt
Explain [topic] to me like I'm smart but know nothing about it. Use everyday examples and avoid jargon. If you need to use a technical term, define it first. Keep it under 300 words.
When to use this
You're reading about something — maybe a legal document, a medical diagnosis, an insurance policy, a news story — and it's full of words you don't understand. You just want someone to explain it in plain English.
Why this works
The phrase "smart but know nothing" tells the AI to respect your intelligence while starting from zero. No patronizing "explain like I'm 5" stuff — just clear, adult explanations.
Follow-up ideas
- "Give me a real-world example."
- "What's the one most important thing I should remember about this?"
- "What questions should I ask my doctor/lawyer/agent about this?"
Copy the prompt above and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI tool. Tweak the words to fit your situation — most prompts include follow-up ideas below.