Ever read a page three times and still feel like your brain is sliding off it? A lot of “hard topics” aren’t hard because you’re not smart, they’re hard because the explanation doesn’t match your current level.
That’s where AI explanations can help, if you use them like a tutor, not a shortcut. The goal is simple: get the same idea explained three ways (simple, detailed, and with an analogy) so it finally clicks.
This three-way method means you ask AI for: a big-picture version, a step-by-step version, and an everyday comparison. Then you verify the output against your notes, teacher, or textbook.
Key Takeaways
- Ask for three explanations in one prompt: simple, detailed, and analogy.
- Tell the AI your year/level and what you already know.
- Say what’s confusing you (one sentence is enough).
- Request a worked example (maths, science, economics, anything with steps).
- Ask for a quick self-quiz to check you really get it.
- Keep the scope small (one concept, not a whole topic).
- Verify facts with your course materials before you memorise anything.
Why Three Explanations Help You Learn Faster
When you’re stuck, it’s usually because your brain is missing one of three things: the big picture, the missing steps, or the “feel” of the concept.
A simple explanation gives you a map. It strips out extra detail so you can see what’s going on. This is the version you’d tell a friend in the corridor.
A detailed explanation fills the gaps. It’s for the moment when you sort of understand, but you keep losing the thread halfway through a problem or paragraph.
An analogy builds intuition. It connects an abstract idea to something you already understand, so your memory has something to grab onto later.
In January 2026, AI is best used as a drafting and brainstorming tool. It can reshape explanations fast, but it can still make mistakes or mix up definitions. Treat it like a helpful study partner that needs checking, not an answer machine. If you want a solid overview of prompt basics, MIT’s guide to effective prompts is a useful reference: Effective Prompts for AI: The Essentials
When To Use Simple, Detailed, Or Analogy First
Use this quick decision guide:
- Start with simple if you feel lost, or the textbook feels “too dense”.
- Go detailed if you understand the topic words, but you miss steps.
- Ask for an analogy if it feels abstract or you can’t picture it.
A quick example (photosynthesis):
- Simple: Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose, releasing oxygen.
- Detailed: Adds chloroplasts, chlorophyll, light-dependent reactions, ATP, NADPH, and the Calvin cycle (and how each part links).
- Analogy: A solar-powered kitchen where sunlight is the electricity, water and CO₂ are ingredients, glucose is the meal, oxygen is “steam” leaving the room.
Same topic, different job. That’s why it speeds learning up.
Signs You Actually Understand (Not Just Recognise Words)
A concept has “clicked” when you can do at least two of these:
- You can explain it back in your own words, without copying phrases.
- You can do one new problem without notes (even if it’s slow).
- You can spot one common mistake and explain why it’s wrong.
- You can link it to a real example (a lab result, a graph, a news story).
If you can only nod along while reading, you’re recognising, not understanding.
The Exact AI Prompt Pattern For Simple, Detailed, And Analogy Explanations
Most “AI didn’t help” moments are actually “my prompt was too vague” moments. The fix is to feed the AI enough context to pitch the explanation at the right level.
Include:
- Topic (one concept, not the whole chapter)
- Your age/year and course level
- What you already know
- What confuses you
- Exam board or subject (if relevant)
- Output format: three sections, clearly labelled
- A worked example (if your subject needs steps)
- A quick check question, plus a mini glossary
If you like seeing prompt libraries built for student learning, Maastricht University shares examples you can adapt: Learning Supported By AI Prompts.
Copy And Paste Prompt Template
Topic: [write the concept, e.g., “standard deviation”]
My level: [e.g., Year 11 GCSE / Year 13 A-level / 1st-year uni]
Subject/exam board (if relevant): [e.g., AQA Biology]
What I already know: [2 to 4 bullet points in one sentence each]
What confuses me: [1 to 2 sentences, be specific]
My goal: After this, I want to be able to [solve X / explain Y / answer Z question type].
Please explain the topic in UK spelling and short sentences.
Use an 8th-grade reading level.
Don’t use jargon without defining it.
Output format (label each section clearly):
- Simple Explanation (5 to 8 sentences)
- Detailed Explanation (step-by-step, include key terms)
- Analogy (everyday life, close to real life, not sci-fi)
- One Real-World Example
- Quick Check (3 questions, include answers)
- Mini Glossary (5 to 8 key terms with short definitions)
If this is maths or science, show steps and units.
If you are unsure about any fact, say so.
How To Feed The AI Better Context So It Stays Accurate
AI can only be as accurate as the info you anchor it to. The best “anchor” is your own course material.
Add one of these to your prompt:
- A definition from your textbook (paste only the key lines, not pages)
- The exact exam question type you’re stuck on
- Your teacher’s method (for example, how they set out workings)
Avoid pasting a full essay or huge lecture notes. Keep it to small chunks, then build up.
A quick checklist before you press send:
- Scope: Am I asking about one concept only?
- Key terms: Did I include the words my course uses?
- Outcome: Did I say what I want to be able to do afterwards?
Once you’ve got a good explanation, you’ll learn faster if you place it inside a routine you can actually stick to. This pairs well with building the perfect study routine so your revision doesn’t rely on mood.
Turn The AI Output Into Real Learning In 10 Minutes
Reading an explanation feels productive, but it’s not the same as learning. Learning needs recall and practice.
Use AI to generate the three versions quickly. Then spend 10 minutes converting it into something your brain can retrieve later.
If you already use active recall, this fits nicely with the blurting technique for active recall because you’re explaining from memory, then fixing gaps.
The 10 Minute Study Loop (Read, Recall, Apply, Check)
Read (2 minutes)
Read the simple explanation only. Don’t highlight. Don’t take notes yet.Recall (2 minutes)
Cover the screen and explain it back in three sentences. Out loud if possible.Apply (4 minutes)
Do one practice question or copy a worked example, then try a similar one without looking.Check (2 minutes)
Compare your answer to the detailed explanation. Fix mistakes in a different colour, and write one line about what went wrong.
Optional (1 extra minute if needed): read the analogy and link it back to real terms.
Ask For Practice Questions That Start Easy And Get Harder
A strong prompt for practice looks like this (add it after you get the three explanations):
“Write 5 practice questions on this topic that increase in difficulty. Include answers and 1 to 2 lines of reasoning for each. Add one trap question that targets a common mistake, then explain why students get it wrong.”
This stops you getting stuck in comfort-zone questions. It also trains exam instincts.
For longer-term memory, pair this with using spaced repetition for memory so you revisit the concept before you forget it.
Make The Analogy Stick Without Misleading You
Analogies can help, but they can also create false beliefs if you take them too literally.
After the analogy, ask AI:
- Where does this analogy match the real concept?
- Where does it break down?
- Write one sentence that links the analogy back to the real terms.
That last line matters. It forces your brain to translate back into exam language.
Common Mistakes When Using AI For Studying (And How To Avoid Them)
Mistake 1: Trusting it because it sounds confident
Fix: check any definition, formula, date, unit, or key term against your materials.
Mistake 2: Asking vague prompts
Fix: include your level, what you know, and what confuses you. One extra sentence can change the quality a lot.
Mistake 3: Skipping practice
Fix: always request a worked example and a mini quiz. Learning lives in retrieval, not reading.
Mistake 4: Copying notes without understanding
Fix: rewrite the simple version in your own words, then test yourself.
Mistake 5: Using AI to cheat
Fix: use it like a tutor that explains and quizzes you, not like a ghostwriter.
If you want a student-friendly overview of current tools (and what they’re good at), this list is a helpful starting point: Best AI Tools for Students.
How To Fact Check Fast Without Getting Stuck
Use a quick “four checks” method:
- Compare to your textbook or teacher notes (wording matters for marks).
- Verify definitions and units (a common AI slip is missing units).
- Verify formulas by checking a trusted source or your formula sheet.
- Test the explanation on one new question.
If something conflicts, don’t argue with the AI. Paste your course definition and ask: “Explain the difference between these two statements and which one matches my syllabus.”
How To Keep Your Work Honest And Still Get Help
Set boundaries that keep you safe and learning:
- Use AI for explanations, examples, quizzes, and marking your practice answers.
- Don’t use it to write graded assignments or personal statements.
- Ask it to tutor you: “Ask me questions one at a time, wait for my answer, then correct me.”
That way you do the thinking, which is the whole point.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using AI To Explain Hard Concepts Three Ways
What Is The Best AI Tool For Students?
The best one is the tool you’ll actually use consistently, with good reasoning and clear formatting. Try a couple and judge by: clarity, step-by-step working, and how well it follows your level and syllabus. Lists like The 12 Best AI Study Tools Students Are Using in 2026 can help you compare options.
How Do I Prompt It To Use My Syllabus?
Name your course and exam board, then paste the exact spec point or textbook definition you’re working from (keep it short). Tell it to match that wording, and to flag anything it’s unsure about.
What If The AI Gives Different Answers?
Treat that as a warning sign. Check your notes and textbook first, then re-prompt with your course definition included. You can also ask: “List the assumptions you’re making, and show which part causes the difference.”
Can AI Help With Maths Steps?
Yes, if you ask properly. Request: “Show steps, include units, and explain why each step is valid.” Then test it on one fresh question, because a correct-looking method can still hide a mistake.
How Do I Create Better Analogies?
Ask for analogies from your interests (football, cooking, music, gaming), then ask the AI to show where the analogy matches and where it breaks. Keep the analogy close to everyday life, not something complicated that needs its own explanation.
How Do I Study Without Getting Distracted When Using AI?
Time-box it. Use the 10-minute loop, then close the tab and do practice. If you need longer sessions, plan them into a realistic week using a structure like create a realistic weekly study template.
Is It Okay To Use AI If My School Has Rules About It?
Follow your school’s policy, every time. In most cases, using AI for explanations and self-quizzing is fine, while submitting AI-written work is not. When unsure, ask your teacher before you use it on assessed work.
Conclusion
Hard concepts often need more than one explanation to land. The three-way method (simple, detailed, and analogy) helps you get the big picture, fill the gaps, and build real intuition, which improves memory and speed.
Try the prompt template on one topic you’re stuck on today. Then run the 10-minute study loop and test yourself with one new question, that’s where real understanding shows up.
