When teaching, use the formula:
Hook, Relate, Elaborate
For example, if I’m going to teach someone to tie their shoes. I might say “There are three simple steps for tying shoes.” (hook) Then, I would tie my own shoes while they watch. (relate) Then I would go into detail about what I did, probably once again tying my own shoes and/or helping the other person tie their own. (elaborate)
- Hook – give a summary that’s compelling if possible. A few sentences at most to get your point across. What’s the takeaway?
- Relate – What does the person already know? How can you explain something new, in terms of something familiar?
- Elaborate – only be pedantic after people understand the gist of what you’re talking about. If you do this before people relate to what you’re talking about, you will lose them. Any time you get into conditions, exceptions, clarifications, etc… you are elaborating. Don’t elaborate before you relate.