Elaborate and connect
Isolated facts fade; connected facts last. Elaboration means generating explanations, examples and links so each new idea is woven into what you already know.
Key ideas
- Ask how and why questions about every key statement.
- Concrete examples turn abstract ideas into memorable cases.
- Comparing similar ideas sharpens the boundary between them.
Step by step
- 1
For each key statement, ask why it is true and answer in one sentence.
- 2
Generate one example from your own work or life.
- 3
Compare it with the most similar idea you know: what differs?
- 4
Draw a small map linking the new idea to at least two known ones.
Example
Learning that interest compounds, an analyst works out why, applies it to her own savings, and contrasts it with simple interest. The idea now has three anchors instead of one.
Your drill
Take three facts from your current material. For each, write a why-answer, a personal example and one comparison.
Common mistakes
- Generating examples that are not actually correct.
- Elaborating trivia instead of the central ideas.
Check yourself
Name two elaboration techniques.
Show the answer
Answering why and how questions, generating concrete examples, and comparing an idea with similar ones.
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