We often find that we understand a topic but can't explain it to anyone. A simple method you could use to better understand and clearly communicate a concept is called SEE-I.
<ul>
<li>State it: Clearly state the idea in a single sentence or two.</li>
<li>Elaborate: Explain it further in your own words, using phrases like "in other words".</li>
<li>Exemplify: Give concrete examples and counter examples of the concept.</li>
<li>Illustrate: Provide a picture, diagram, metaphor or analogy of the idea.</li>
</ul>

The SEE-I method for explaining ideas

How to use the SEE-I method to explain, for example, what learning is.
<ul>
<li>State it: "Learning is the gaining of knowledge, understanding, or ability."</li>
<li>Elaborate: "In other words, learning is the process where a person gains specific knowledge, then internalises that knowledge by using it."</li>
<li>Exemplify: "For example, a child learns to ride a bike by being guided, practising, and falling before they master it."</li>
<li>Illustrate: "Learning is like a sponge absorbing water, yet it does not get saturated."</li>
</ul>

Explaining ideas: An example of using the SEE-I method

Wondering how to explain things better? The SEE-I method is a simple framework to better understand and clearly explain any concept or idea.

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Do you ever find that you understand a topic, yet you can’t explain it to anyone?

What if I told you there was a simple method you could use as a way to better understand and clearly communicate a concept or idea?

There actually is a very simple method you can use called SEE-I . This method was originally created by Richard Paul and Linda Elder and has been refined into its current state by Gerald Nosich.

So, what exactly is this method and how can you apply it?

SEE-I is an easy-to-use and methodological critical thinking technique assisting people in clarifying their ideas.[1] It stands for the following: State it , Elaborate , Exemplify , and Illustrate .

Let’s examine each element of SEE-I:

<ul><li>State it: Clearly and succinctly state the concept or idea in a single sentence or two. </li><li>Elaborate: Explain it further in your own words. </li><li>Exemplify: Provide concrete examples and counter examples of the concept. </li><li>Illustrate: Provide a picture, diagram, metaphor or analogy of the concept. </li> </ul>

Essentially, SEE-I begins with a concise statement of the concept (S) , followed by further elaboration in your own words (E) . Then you are to provide specific examples and counter examples of the concept (E) , Lastly, you end with an illustration of the concept (I) .

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Let’s examine the following example of SEE-I:

<ul><li>Concept to understand/explain: Critical Thinking </li><li>State it: Critical thinking is a self-directed process by which we take deliberate steps to think at the highest level of quality. </li><li>Elaborate: In other words, critical thinking is “thinking about thinking” (metacognition) in order to make it better. </li><li>Example: Critical thinking is an analysis, an evaluation, and improvement. For example, it is an analysis of thinking by focusing on the parts (or the elements); an evaluation of thinking by focusing on the quality (or the standards); an improvement of thinking by using what you have learned. </li><li>Illustrate: A great interactive illustration of Critical Thinking (Analysis – Evaluation – Improvement) is the <a href="https://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm">Online Model for Learning the Elements and Standards of Critical Thinking </a>. </li> </ul>

How to apply SEE-I to explain stuff (Step-by-step guide)

Let’s examine a step-by-step approach you can use to apply the SEE-I method.

Identify the concept or idea you wish to communicate – clearly and succinctly state the concept.

Example: Learning is the gaining of knowledge, understanding, or ability.

Using phrases such as: “In other words,” to further expand on your concept.

Example: In other words, learning is a process where a person gains specific knowledge. It involves different degrees of progress. The learning process occurs through stressful repetitive perception allowing neural networks to adapt to the repetitive input. True learning is the internalization of the knowledge being learned. I know I have learned something when I can not only repeat the information, but when I can explain it, use it, and integrate it along with other knowledge.

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Using phrases such as: “For example,” to provide an example plus a counter example to your concept.

Example: For example, a child slowly learns to ride a bike by being guided, practicing, and falling down. A counter example is repetition of the same mistakes over and over again.

Find an image, picture, or design your own image to present your concept (i.e. use a <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/652334/turbocharge-your-speed-of-thought-with-this-technique">metaphor </a>or analogy as your illustration).

Example: Learning is like a sponge absorbing whatever liquid it comes in contact with, yet does not get saturated.

The SEE-I method is a way to provide a clear and concise narrative to explain any concept or idea along with an illustration. In other words, the method allows you to further paraphrase your idea while providing strong examples supporting the concept and counter examples opposing it.

The method clearly expresses an individuals understanding of a concept through a narrative and strong illustration through the use of a metaphor or analogy. In essence, it allows you an easy (and extremely simple) way to explain anything to anyone.

For additional information on how to use the SEE-I method, read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Think-Things-Through-Curriculum/dp/0137085141">Learning to Think Things Through: A Guide to Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum </a>  by Gerald Nosich.

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Last Updated on February 17, 2021

If you feel like you don’t have enough time to do everything you want to do, maybe it’s time to check-in with your time management skills.

No one is born to be very good at time management, so that’s okay if you think you’re bad in it. But everyone can learn to boost their productivity and achieve more!

Here are 50 ways to increase productivity and add hours to your day.

Estimate the time you need to tackle different tasks and set a timer for each of your tasks. How you go about this is up to you as there are many different ways. There is the Pomodoro technique where you focus on a task for 25 minutes followed by a five minute break afterwards.

In the event that you have a task that will take much longer than that, you can consider one of the many timer-based apps. One that comes to mind is <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clockify-time-tracker/id1304431926?mt=8&at=1000lwqv">Clockify </a>. It’s used for freelancers and entrepreneurs alike, however it’s a good way to be setting yourself a timer. It provides reports and you can serve as a project manager of sorts too. Best of all, it’s free.

Distractions include the phone, email notifications and having multiple web browsers open on the desktop. Just as it’s important to be organized offline, it’s key to have things organized online as well. This free guide <a href="http://goto.lifehack.org/lfwp-end-distraction">End Distractions And Find Your Focus </a> is a good tool to help you. With this guide, you’ll learn how to get rid of distractions and boost productivity. <a href="http://goto.lifehack.org/lfwp-end-distraction">Grab your free guide here. </a>

You can also learn more on how to get rid of all distractions in this guide: <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/680976/how-to-focus-and-maximize-your-productivity-the-definitive-guide">How to Focus and Maximize Your Productivity (the Definitive Guide) </a>

3. Listen to Music That Boosts Productivity

Distractions should be avoided, but sometimes a bit of <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/256537/neuroscience-proves-that-listening-music-work-can-enhance-focus-and-productivity">music in the background can help you focus </a>.

Of course, it doesn’t need to be heavy rock music, but a bit of Beethoven may do you some good.

Here’s a complete guide to help you pick the right music for better productivity: <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/363349/how-maximize-your-productivity-with-music-complete-guide">How To Maximize Your Productivity With Music: A Complete Guide </a>

4. Find Meaning in What You Do (And Love What You Do)

Enjoying what you do is the ultimate way to increase your productivity.

If you aren’t sure what you love doing yet, don’t worry. Leo Babauta has some unique ways to help you: <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/how-to-find-your-passion.html">How to Find Your Passion </a>

By listing your tasks in order of importance, you can make sure that you finish all of your most important tasks during the day.

6. Batch Similar Tasks into a Single Batch.

Tasks like blog writing, phone calls, email and errands can be grouped into a single batch. You will save time by completing similar tasks in one session. One way to help you with organizing all of those things is through the app <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/todoist-to-do-list-tasks/id572688855?mt=8&at=1000lwqv">Todoist </a>. It’s an easy and simple way for you to plan out your day, set reminders, and group all of your most important tasks in a convenient spot.

7. Complete Your Most Dreaded Tasks First Thing in the Morning.

Whichever activity you are dreading the most is probably the one you need to complete first thing in the morning.

Many people tend to check emails in the morning because after checking a list of emails, they feel fulfilled. But that’s just an illusion of having achieved more.

Doing simple tasks like <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/525634/more-productive-never-this-start-your-morning">checking emails first in the morning is bad for you </a>. Instead, do the difficult tasks because you have more energy in the morning to tackle them!

8. Reward Yourself for Finishing a Big Task

To stay motivated for whatever you do, reward yourself every now and then.

Keep track of your small wins and milestones and celebrate them. So whenever you struggle about your progress, you see how far you’ve come!

Research has shown that multitasking is not productive. If you think you can multitask, <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/you-think-you-can-multitask-think-again.html">think again. </a>

For optimum productivity, focus on one thing at a time.

The Internet has become one of the number one distraction. To increase your productivity, try to do as much of your work offline as possible.

I do this a lot when I try to brainstom new ideas and have found it to be very beneficial to simply unplug.

Make good use of apps and technology to help you remove distractions.

Here’re <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/top-15-time-management-apps-and-tools.html">18 Best Time Management Apps and Tools </a>to help you stay focused. This way, you’re not distracted by the web, e-mail, or IM.

Also, join the free <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/overcoming-distractions?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=productivity_articles&utm_term=3217&utm_content=productivity_articles">Fast-Track Class – Overcoming Distraction </a> , and you’ll learn the one simple method to work even when you’re surrounded by distractions. <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/overcoming-distractions?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=productivity_articles&utm_term=3217&utm_content=productivity_articles">Join the free session now! </a>

Often times, starting is the hardest part. People tend to wait for the perfect time with perfect condition to start. But there’s <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/6-reasons-why-perfectionism-kills-your-productivity.html">no perfect condition </a>.

Once you get going, you will quickly get into a rhythm that could last for hours.

Everyone has a certain time of the day in which they are more productive than others. For me, it’s the morning.

Find out when your prime time is for productivity and optimize your work schedule accordingly.

How to Explain Things Better and Make Others Understand Your Ideas Easily

The SEE-I method for explaining ideas

Explaining ideas: An example of using the SEE-I method

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