LessWrong (30+ Karma) Just explain it to someone
Nov 27, 2025
The discussion highlights how explaining ideas aloud can alleviate writer's block for both children and adults. The narrator shares insights on how preparing talks can refine written work. Distinguishing between 'get work done' and 'one neat thing' modes adds depth to creativity. The importance of targeting audiences is emphasized, shaping clarity and argumentation. Additionally, debates are shown to enhance argument quality by encouraging responses to objections. Tailoring reasoning for specific recipients is crucial for effective communication.
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Talking Produces Writing
- The author helped a child write about her summer cottage by having her speak what she knew and then write it down.
- Repeating this process a few times produced enough sentences to finish the assignment.
A Talk Revealed A Better Paper
- The narrator explained a dry paper aloud while preparing a talk and found a better structure with examples and narrative arc.
- They realized the talk's structure was how the paper should have been written originally.
Explain To A Specific Person
- When writing feels like a big, vague task, switch to explaining your idea to a person to make it easier and higher quality.
- Use a concrete imagined audience to guide what you make explicit and to produce clearer text.