The Art of Explanation: How to Communicate with Clarity and Confidence

What, if anything, do we know about how they like to receive information?

Who is this explanation for? Give the answer in one sentence maximum. • Is there a consistency of knowledge amongst those you’re addressing? Yes / No • How do you assess their knowledge of this subject? • How would you summarise what they’d like to learn from you? • What specific questions will this explanation need to answer? • What, if anything,

Both the purpose and the outline of the story can be your guide. In both cases, if what you’re putting into your explanation isn’t working towards those twin goals, then you’re off track.

ASK YOURSELF Am I saying exactly what I want to communicate?

Explanation is a potent mix of clarity of purpose, clarity of language and essential information – all calibrated for an intended audience. Those who do it well stand out.

As you prepare to write, keep these questions in mind: • Is the language you’re using as simple as it can be? • Are you clear what role each element is playing? • Are you sure precisely what you’re trying to say with each sentence? • Are there areas you still don’t understand?If there are, jot them down. • Do you have your list of the questions tha

To do that I started experimenting with what I call ‘joining phrases’ and ‘hooks’. Joining phrases take the person you’re addressing from one thought or element to another. They escort the viewer or reader from one element to the next without, we hope, a chance to consider tuning out. Here are some examples of joining phrases: That fact helps us un

4. Unknown words This could be anything I can’t reasonably expect the vast majority of people listening to know. ‘Proroguing’ parliament, for example.

In the case of partially known words, I often use the phrase ‘as some of you may know . . .’ It acknowledges to some people that you’re telling them information they don’t need, while informing those who do need it.

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