explaining

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Explaining Skill

解释技能

Version: 1.0 Source: Explaining Things Playbook

Structure before technique. Depth before detail. Context before content.

版本： 1.0 来源： Explaining Things Playbook

结构优先于技巧，深度优先于细节，背景优先于内容。

Scope and Boundaries

适用范围与边界

This skill covers: Producing clear explanations — classifying requests, choosing structure, scaling depth, and applying relatability tools.

This skill does NOT cover: Writing style or tone for marketing copy, formal academic writing, or persuasive sales. It covers the structure of persuasion (Situational framework) but not copywriting craft.

Relationship to other skills:

Works alongside
```
documentation
```
(which covers what to document; this covers how to explain it)
Can be applied inside any domain skill when teaching, onboarding, or communicating concepts

本技能涵盖： 产出清晰的解释——包括对需求进行分类、选择结构、调整深度以及应用关联度工具。

本技能不涵盖： 营销文案、正式学术写作或说服性销售文案的写作风格与语气。它仅涉及说服的结构（Situational框架），不包含文案撰写技巧。

与其他技能的关联：

与
```
documentation
```
（文档撰写技能，涵盖需要记录什么）协同工作；本技能专注于如何解释内容
在教学、新员工培训或概念沟通场景中，可应用于任何领域技能

North Star

核心目标

Goal: The listener builds the right mental model on the first pass.

Definition: A good explanation doesn't just deliver information — it orients the listener, builds understanding in sequence, and connects meaning to something they already care about.

Smell: If the listener asks "but wait, what is it?" after your explanation, you skipped Context. If they ask "okay, but why should I care?" you skipped Connection. If they ask "how does it actually work?" you rushed Content.

目标： 让听众在首次接收信息时就能建立正确的心智模型。

定义： 优质的解释不仅传递信息——它还能引导听众、循序渐进地建立理解，并将内容与听众已关心的事物建立关联。

识别信号： 如果听众在你解释后问“等等，它到底是什么？”，说明你跳过了背景环节；如果他们问“好吧，但这和我有什么关系？”，说明你跳过了关联环节；如果他们问“它实际是怎么运作的？”，说明你急于进入内容环节。

Quick Start

快速入门

Already know the framework? Start here:

I want to...	Go to
Explain what something is or how it works	Use the Subject framework (default)
Explain why something matters, persuade, or help someone decide	Use the Situational framework
See Subject worked examples at different depths	`references/subject-examples.md`
See Situational worked examples at different depths	`references/situational-examples.md`
See domain-specific mappings (storytelling, data, consulting, etc.)	`references/situational-domains.md`
Browse Subject techniques by phase	`references/subject-tools.md`
Browse Situational techniques by phase	`references/situational-tools.md`
Compare Short / Medium / Long depth side by side	`assets/depth-comparison.md`
Follow a step-by-step checklist	`assets/explanation-checklist.md`

For the full framework, read on.

已经了解框架？从这里开始：

我想要...	前往
解释事物的定义或运作方式	使用Subject框架（默认）
解释事物的重要性、进行说服或辅助决策	使用Situational框架
查看不同深度的Subject框架示例	`references/subject-examples.md`
查看不同深度的Situational框架示例	`references/situational-examples.md`
查看特定领域的适配方案（叙事、数据、咨询等）	`references/situational-domains.md`
按阶段浏览Subject框架技巧	`references/subject-tools.md`
按阶段浏览Situational框架技巧	`references/situational-tools.md`
对比短、中、长三种深度的差异	`assets/depth-comparison.md`
遵循分步检查清单	`assets/explanation-checklist.md`

如需完整框架说明，请继续阅读。

Execution Order

执行步骤

For every explanation request, follow this order without skipping steps:

Classify the request (Subject vs Situational)
Apply the matching 3-phase structure
Choose depth (Short / Medium / Long)
Add supporting tools (examples, analogy, reframing) only if they improve clarity

对于每一个解释需求，请遵循以下步骤，切勿跳过：

分类需求（Subject类或Situational类）
应用匹配的三阶段结构
选择深度（短/中/长）
添加辅助工具（示例、类比、重构）——仅当它们能提升清晰度时才使用

Classification

需求分类

Subject (Default)

Subject（默认）

Use when explaining what something is, how it works, how to do something, or why it exists.

The listener needs to understand a thing.

适用于解释事物是什么、如何运作、操作方法或存在原因的场景。

听众需要理解某个事物。

Situational

Use when explaining why something matters, why one approach is better, how to decide, or how to persuade/reframe behavior.

The listener needs to make a decision or change perspective.

适用于解释事物的重要性、为何某方案更优、如何决策或如何说服/转变观念的场景。

听众需要做出决策或转变视角。

Default Behaviors

默认规则

Default mode: Subject — unless the listener is clearly deciding, justifying, persuading, or reframing.
Default structure: Use the full 3-phase framework. Do not skip Context.
Default clarity move: If confusion appears, step backward one phase and rebuild the mental model before continuing. Do not add more detail forward — rewind to the missing phase (usually Context), re-establish the model, then continue.

默认模式： Subject类——除非听众明确需要进行决策、论证、说服或观念重构。
默认结构： 使用完整的三阶段框架，切勿跳过背景环节。
默认澄清方式： 如果出现困惑，退回上一阶段重新构建心智模型后再继续。不要向前添加更多细节——回到缺失的阶段（通常是背景），重新建立模型，然后再推进。

Subject Framework

Subject框架

Use a 3-phase structure. Support explanations with relatability tools when helpful.

采用三阶段结构。必要时使用关联度工具辅助解释。

Phase 1: Context — Anchor Understanding

阶段1：背景——锚定理解

Orient the listener. Establish what the thing is, where it fits, and why it exists. Assume no prior knowledge.

Begin with the "what" and "why care." You're orienting, not persuading. Give the simplest possible definition or overview and make it relatable.

引导听众建立认知。明确事物的定义、所属范畴及存在意义。假设听众无相关前置知识。

从“是什么”和“为何重要”开始。你是在引导认知，而非说服。给出最简单的定义或概述，并使其贴近听众的认知。

Phase 2: Content — Show How It Works

阶段2：内容——展示运作方式

Explain how it works or how to do it. Be concrete, semantic, and example-driven. Avoid abstraction unless necessary.

Break the subject down visually or logically. Use analogy, sequence, or demonstration to make it tangible.

解释事物的运作原理或操作方法。内容要具体、语义明确、以示例为导向。除非必要，避免抽象表述。

将主题进行可视化或逻辑拆分。使用类比、步骤演示或实例说明使其更具象。

Phase 3: Connection — Translate Meaning

阶段3：关联——转化为实际意义

Translate meaning. Explain why it matters, when it's useful, or how it changes outcomes.

End with relevance or impact: how it fits into life, why it's useful, or what it reveals about the world.

Full examples at each depth:
references/subject-examples.md
Technique catalog by phase:
references/subject-tools.md

转化内容的实际意义。解释事物为何重要、适用场景或如何改变结果。

以相关性或影响收尾：说明它如何融入生活、为何有用，或它揭示了世界的哪些规律。

各深度完整示例：
references/subject-examples.md
分阶段技巧目录：
references/subject-tools.md

Situational Framework

Situational框架

Use a 3-phase structure. Keep explanations semantic, practical, and grounded. Favor concrete mental models over formal definitions.

采用三阶段结构。解释内容要语义明确、实用且贴合实际。优先使用具象心智模型，而非正式定义。

Phase 1: Establish Context

阶段1：建立背景

Frame understanding by giving people orientation, purpose, and relevance before going anywhere else. Explain what's happening, why it matters, and connect it to something the listener values so they're aligned and facing the same direction.

通过提供认知引导、目标和相关性，先让听众建立统一认知。解释当前状况、为何重要，并将其与听众重视的事物关联，确保方向一致。

Phase 2: Reveal Problem or Opportunity

阶段2：揭示问题或机遇

Focus attention and emotional gravity by surfacing the gap between the current state and a better one. Expose the tension or unmet potential, spark curiosity or concern, and define what's at stake if nothing changes.

聚焦注意力，通过暴露当前状态与理想状态的差距来引发情绪共鸣。揭示矛盾或未被挖掘的潜力，激发好奇心或紧迫感，并明确不采取行动的后果。

Phase 3: Solve

阶段3：提出解决方案

Provide the answer, idea, or path forward with clarity, proof, and action. Present the key insight, support it with reasoning or evidence, and translate it into concrete next steps so people know what to do and why it works.

Full examples at each depth:
references/situational-examples.md
Domain-specific mappings:
references/situational-domains.md
Technique catalog by phase:
references/situational-tools.md

清晰、有依据地给出答案、想法或行动路径。呈现核心见解，用推理或证据支撑，并转化为具体的下一步行动，让听众明确该做什么以及为何有效。

各深度完整示例：
references/situational-examples.md
特定领域适配方案：
references/situational-domains.md
分阶段技巧目录：
references/situational-tools.md

Depth Scaling

深度分级

Depth changes how much of the mental model is exposed, not which structure is used. All three depths use the same 3-phase framework.

深度决定了心智模型的暴露程度，而非使用的结构。三种深度均采用相同的三阶段框架。

Short

短深度

Prioritize clarity and definition. One or two sentences per phase. Minimal examples.

Tone: Crisp and direct — like concise teaching notes.
Tools: Rare — only brief, functional comparisons ("Think of it like...").
Best for: Elevator pitch, summary, quick answer, memory cue.

优先保证清晰度和定义。每个阶段用1-2句话说明，示例极少。

语气： 简洁直接——类似精简的教学笔记。
工具使用： 极少——仅使用简短的功能性对比（“可以把它看作...”）。
适用场景： 电梯演讲、摘要、快速解答、记忆提示。

Medium

中深度

Explain mechanism and intuition. Expand cause-and-effect. Use one illustrative example.

Tone: Natural, conversational — reads like how a good teacher talks.
Tools: Occasional — similes and short analogies for accessibility.
Best for: Blog section, educational video, presentation voiceover, internal briefing.

解释运作机制和直觉逻辑。拓展因果关系。使用一个代表性示例。

语气： 自然、口语化——如同优秀教师的授课方式。
工具使用： 偶尔使用——明喻和短类比提升易读性。
适用场景： 博客板块、教育视频、演示旁白、内部简报。

Long

长深度

Explore nuance, tradeoffs, and deeper insight. Use multiple examples, analogies, or edge cases.

Tone: Reflective and narrative — reads like a storyteller teaching through insight.
Tools: Frequent — rich metaphors, analogies, and anecdotes for flow and memorability.
Best for: Long-form article, keynote, essay, documentary narration, deep-dive workshop.

Full comparison table:
assets/depth-comparison.md

探索细节、权衡利弊和深层见解。使用多个示例、类比或边缘案例。

语气： 反思性、叙事性——如同讲故事的人通过见解进行教学。
工具使用： 频繁使用——丰富的隐喻、类比和轶事提升流畅度和记忆点。
适用场景： 长篇文章、主题演讲、随笔、纪录片旁白、深度工作坊。

完整对比表格：
assets/depth-comparison.md

Relatability & Emphasis Tools

关联度与强化工具

Add these only when they improve clarity. Structure carries the explanation; tools enhance it.

Tool	What It Does	When to Use	Example
Simile	Direct comparison using "like" or "as"	Making an idea vivid and easy to visualize	"Explaining without context is like building a house without a foundation."
Metaphor	Implies one thing is another	Creating emotional resonance, collapsing distance between ideas	"Context is the foundation of understanding."
Analogy	Structured comparison mapping one relationship onto another	Building logical understanding through parallel structure	"Just as a gardener prunes to help plants grow stronger, leaders remove obstacles so teams can thrive."
Personification	Gives human qualities to non-human things	Making abstract systems feel alive and empathetic	"Data doesn't lie, but it whispers — you have to listen closely."
Example / Anecdote	Short, real-world story or instance	Grounding the abstract in experience, building trust	"When I started composting, I realized waste isn't a problem — it's potential."
Parallelism	Similar sentence structure for rhythm	Adding flow and emphasis, great for summaries	"Measure clearly, act quickly, improve continuously."

仅在能提升清晰度时使用这些工具。结构是解释的核心，工具仅起辅助作用。

工具	作用	使用场景	示例
明喻	使用“像”或“如同”进行直接对比	让想法更生动、易于可视化	“没有背景的解释就像没有地基的房子。”
隐喻	暗示一种事物等同于另一种事物	建立情感共鸣，缩短与想法的距离	“背景是理解的地基。”
类比	结构化对比，将一种关系映射到另一种关系上	通过平行结构建立逻辑理解	“就像园丁修剪枝叶帮助植物茁壮成长一样，领导者清除障碍让团队蓬勃发展。”
拟人	赋予非人类事物人类特质	让抽象系统更具生命力和共情力	“数据不会说谎，但它只会低语——你必须仔细聆听。”
示例/轶事	简短的真实故事或实例	将抽象概念落地到实际体验中，建立信任	“当我开始堆肥时，我意识到垃圾不是问题——而是潜力。”
排比	类似的句子结构增强节奏感	提升流畅度和强调效果，适合总结	“清晰衡量，快速行动，持续改进。”

Usage by Depth

按深度的工具使用频率

Depth	Tool Usage
Short	Rare — only brief functional comparisons
Medium	Occasional — similes and short analogies
Long	Frequent — rich metaphors, analogies, anecdotes

深度	工具使用频率
短深度	极少——仅使用简短的功能性对比
中深度	偶尔使用——明喻和短类比
长深度	频繁使用——丰富的隐喻、类比和轶事

Quick Reference

快速参考

Before Every Explanation

每次解释前

Classified as Subject or Situational
Using the correct 3-phase structure
Depth chosen (Short / Medium / Long)
Context phase is present and sufficient

已将需求分类为Subject或Situational类
使用了正确的三阶段结构
已选择深度（短/中/长）
背景环节完整且充分

During the Explanation

解释过程中

If Confusion Appears

出现困惑时

Rewinding to the missing phase (usually Context)
Rebuilding the mental model before continuing forward
NOT adding more detail in the current phase

退回缺失的阶段（通常是背景）
重新构建心智模型后再继续推进
不在当前阶段添加更多细节

Anti-Patterns

反模式

Anti-Pattern	What It Looks Like	Why It Fails
The Detail Avalanche	Listener is confused, so you add more information	Confusion means a phase is missing — more detail buries the gap deeper
The Headless Explanation	Jumping straight into Content without Context	The listener has no mental model to hang information on
The Dangling Explanation	Context and Content but no Connection	Information delivered but not translated into meaning or relevance
The Wrong Lens	Using Subject framework when the listener needs to decide	Subject teaches what; Situational addresses why it matters now
The Technique Show	Every sentence has an analogy, metaphor, and example	Tools are seasoning, not the meal. Structure carries the explanation
The Expert Curse	Explaining at your depth, not the listener's	Match depth to the audience's starting point, not your knowledge
The Flat Explanation	Same depth across all three phases	Context can be short even when Content is long. Scale each phase to its purpose

反模式	表现	失败原因
细节雪崩	听众困惑时，你添加更多信息	困惑意味着某个环节缺失——更多细节会进一步掩盖缺口
无头解释	跳过背景直接进入内容环节	听众没有可依托的心智模型来接收信息
悬空解释	有背景和内容，但没有关联环节	信息已传递，但未转化为实际意义或相关性
错误视角	当听众需要决策时使用Subject框架	Subject框架教授是什么；Situational框架解决为何当下重要
技巧堆砌	每句话都使用类比、隐喻和示例	工具是调味品，而非主食。结构才是解释的核心
专家诅咒	以你的知识深度进行解释，而非听众的	匹配听众的起始认知深度，而非你的知识水平
扁平解释	三个阶段使用相同的深度	即使内容是长深度，背景也可以是短深度。根据每个阶段的目标调整深度

References

参考资料

```
references/subject-examples.md
```
— Subject worked examples at all three depths (Lean Six Sigma, Gardening)
```
references/subject-tools.md
```
— Subject technique catalog organized by phase (Context, Content, Connection)
```
references/situational-examples.md
```
— Situational worked examples at all three depths (Learning to Cook, Small Teams)
```
references/situational-domains.md
```
— Domain-specific mappings (storytelling, data, consulting, teaching, marketing, leadership)
```
references/situational-tools.md
```
— Situational technique catalog organized by phase (Setting Context, Revealing Problems, Solutions)

```
references/subject-examples.md
```
— 各深度的Subject框架示例（精益六西格玛、园艺）
```
references/subject-tools.md
```
— 分阶段的Subject框架技巧目录（背景、内容、关联）
```
references/situational-examples.md
```
— 各深度的Situational框架示例（学习烹饪、小型团队）
```
references/situational-domains.md
```
— 特定领域适配方案（叙事、数据、咨询、教学、营销、领导力）
```
references/situational-tools.md
```
— 分阶段的Situational框架技巧目录（建立背景、揭示问题、解决方案）

Assets

资源文件

```
assets/depth-comparison.md
```
— Side-by-side Short / Medium / Long comparison across all dimensions
```
assets/explanation-checklist.md
```
— Step-by-step execution checklist for producing explanations

```
assets/depth-comparison.md
```
— 短、中、长深度的全维度对比
```
assets/explanation-checklist.md
```
— 产出解释的分步执行检查清单