X.4.3 · Skill in Communication
Clear explanations
Explaining complex things simply without losing accuracy.
Clear explanations start from what the listener already knows and build up. Examples and diagrams help. Explaining technical tradeoffs to non-engineers is a core product engineer skill.
Resources
3- articleStart hereWrite simply ↗Paul Graham · 2 min
Plain words reach more readers and expose weak ideas, a two-minute argument for simple prose.
- articleStart here
- articleGo deeperExplorable explanations ↗Nicky Case · collection
Interactive explanations that let readers play with an idea, for when a paragraph is not enough.
Tools
2- ToolFreemiumHemingway Editor
Highlights long sentences, passive voice and complex words as you write.
- ToolOpen sourceExcalidraw
Open-source whiteboard with a hand-drawn look, for quick sketches, flows and diagrams.