Ever asked someone to explain something and got a 20-minute lecture full of big words? You just needed the basics, but instead you got overwhelmed with details you didn't ask for.

This prompt solves that problem. It gets you short, clear explanations of any topic in under 200 words. No confusing terms. No unnecessary background. Just the core idea explained simply, plus one practical tip you can use right away.

Perfect for busy professionals, students cramming for exams, or anyone who needs to understand something quickly without diving into a textbook. Whether you're learning about quantum physics, blockchain technology, or tax deductions, this prompt delivers clear answers fast.

Here's the complete prompt you can use right now:

The Prompt

Explain [topic] in under 200 words. 
Make it clear, skip jargon, and end with 1 actionable tip.

Why This Prompt Works

This prompt uses three powerful techniques that make explanations actually useful.

Strict Word Limit: The 200-word constraint forces the AI to focus on what matters most. Without this limit, you might get a 2,000-word essay when you just need a quick answer. The word count acts like a filter that removes fluff and keeps only essential information.

Jargon Elimination: Technical terms confuse more than they clarify. By explicitly requesting no jargon, you get explanations using everyday language. This technique is called "audience-level targeting" in prompt engineering. You're telling the AI exactly who the explanation is for: someone who doesn't know the specialized vocabulary.

Actionable Ending: The single tip requirement transforms passive learning into active knowledge. You don't just understand the concept—you know what to do with it. This is a form of "output specification" where you define exactly how the response should conclude.

The combination creates explanations that respect your time while still teaching you something useful.

The Problem It Solves

Modern life moves fast. You need to understand things quickly to make decisions, have conversations, or complete tasks.

Traditional explanations waste your time. Search engines give you 10-page articles when you need a paragraph. Experts use technical language that requires more research to decode. YouTube videos take 15 minutes to explain what could be said in 30 seconds.

This creates real problems:

You need explanations that match your schedule. Not everyone has time to become an expert. Sometimes you just need enough understanding to move forward with your day.

This prompt gives you exactly that: fast comprehension without the commitment of deep study.

How to Use This Prompt

Using this prompt takes three simple steps.

Step 1: Insert Your Topic

Replace [topic] with whatever you want explained. Be specific enough that the AI understands what you're asking about.

Good examples:

Step 2: Submit to Your AI Tool

Copy the complete prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, or any other AI assistant. The prompt works with any modern language model.

Step 3: Read and Apply

You'll get a short explanation followed by one action you can take. Read it in under two minutes, then use the tip immediately if relevant.

The prompt works best when you're genuinely pressed for time. Don't use it for topics where you need deep expertise. It's designed for quick understanding, not mastery.

Real-World Applications

This prompt shines in everyday situations where you need fast answers.

Before Meetings: Your boss mentions "agile methodology" in an email. You have 10 minutes before the meeting starts. Use the prompt to get a quick grasp of the concept so you can follow the conversation.

When Helping Kids: Your child asks about photosynthesis for their homework. You remember it involves plants and sunlight, but that's it. Get a quick refresher so you can help explain it to them.

During News Consumption: An article discusses "quantitative easing" and assumes you know what it means. Instead of skipping the article or spending 30 minutes researching, get a brief explanation and keep reading.

For Consumer Decisions: You're buying a TV and the salesperson keeps mentioning "OLED technology." You don't need a physics degree—just enough to know if it's worth the extra cost.

In Professional Development: Your industry keeps buzzing about "machine learning" but you work in sales, not tech. Get enough understanding to speak intelligently without becoming a data scientist.

While Reading Books: The author references "Keynesian economics" without explanation. Keep reading without losing momentum by getting a quick definition.

The actionable tip makes each explanation immediately practical. Learning about copyright laws? You get a tip about using stock image sites safely. Understanding compound interest? You get advice on starting automatic savings.

Tips for Better Results

Make your topic specific enough for a focused answer.

Too Vague: "Explain science" Better: "Explain how vaccines work" Best: "Explain how mRNA vaccines differ from traditional vaccines"

The more precise your topic, the more useful your explanation becomes. Broad topics get shallow answers because 200 words can't cover everything.

Ask Follow-Up Questions: If the initial explanation helps but you need one point clarified, ask a follow-up using the same format. "Explain [specific aspect mentioned] in under 200 words."

Save Useful Explanations: Create a document of topics you've learned about. The brief format makes it easy to review later. You're building a personal knowledge base of quick-reference explanations.

Adjust for Your Background: If you have some knowledge already, mention it. "Explain quantum entanglement in under 200 words, assuming I understand basic physics." This prevents explanations from being too simple or too complex.

Use for Verification: Already think you understand something? Use the prompt to check. Compare the explanation with your understanding to spot gaps or misconceptions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't ask about topics that require depth.

Some subjects can't be meaningfully explained in 200 words. Medical diagnoses, legal advice, or complex technical procedures need detailed explanations. Use this prompt for concepts, not instructions.

Wrong Use: "Explain how to file my taxes in under 200 words" Right Use: "Explain what tax deductions are in under 200 words"

Don't skip the actionable tip. That single piece of advice often matters more than the explanation itself. It's what turns knowledge into action.

Avoid assuming 200 words will make you an expert. This prompt gives you working knowledge, not mastery. If you need expertise, use this as a starting point before diving deeper.

Don't use vague topics. "Explain business" will get you a generic answer that doesn't help much. "Explain what a profit margin is" gives you something specific and useful.

Customizing the Prompt

Adjust the word count based on your needs.

For Even Faster Learning: "Explain [topic] in under 100 words" gives you just the absolute essentials.

For Slightly More Detail: "Explain [topic] in under 300 words" provides extra context while staying concise.

Change the Output Format: Add "using bullet points" if you prefer scannable lists over paragraphs. "Explain [topic] in under 200 words using bullet points."

Specify Your Background: Add context about what you already know. "Explain [topic] in under 200 words, assuming I'm familiar with basic chemistry."

Request Analogies: "Explain [topic] in under 200 words using a simple analogy" helps with abstract concepts. Analogies make complex ideas stick better in your memory.

Add Multiple Tips: If you want more actionable advice, change "1 actionable tip" to "3 actionable tips." Just remember this might push past 200 words.

Target Specific Use Cases: "Explain [topic] in under 200 words, focusing on how it applies to small business owners." This tailors the explanation to your situation.

The core structure works because it's simple. Any modifications should keep that simplicity intact.

The Psychology of Quick Learning

Your brain actually prefers concise explanations for initial learning.

Research on cognitive load shows that too much information overwhelms working memory. When you're first learning something, simple explanations stick better than comprehensive ones. You can always learn more details later.

The 200-word limit matches how much new information your brain can process in a single session. Any more and you start forgetting the beginning by the time you reach the end.

The actionable tip leverages "implementation intention"—a psychological principle where concrete actions improve follow-through. You're not just learning about something; you're prepared to do something with that knowledge.

This prompt respects how busy people actually learn: quickly, practically, and just-in-time. Not everyone has the luxury of deep study before needing to use information.

When to Go Deeper

This prompt is your starting point, not your destination.

Use it to decide if a topic interests you enough to study further. A 200-word explanation helps you make that decision without wasting hours on something that turns out to be irrelevant.

If the explanation raises more questions than it answers, that's a sign you need more depth. Switch to longer resources: books, courses, or detailed articles.

For critical decisions—medical choices, legal matters, financial planning—always consult experts after using this prompt. Quick explanations help you ask better questions, but they don't replace professional advice.

Think of this prompt as a reconnaissance tool. You're surveying the landscape before deciding where to explore further.

Conclusion

The "Explain Like I'm Busy" prompt respects your time while feeding your curiosity. You get clear, jargon-free explanations in under 200 words, plus one tip you can use immediately.

This isn't about dumbing things down. It's about smart learning that matches your schedule. Complex topics become accessible when explained simply, and the actionable ending ensures you're not just passively reading.

Use this prompt whenever you need quick understanding: before meetings, during conversations, while reading, or when making decisions. It turns confusion into clarity in less than two minutes.

Copy the prompt now and keep it handy. The next time someone mentions a concept you don't know, you'll have a tool that explains it fast. Your time matters—this prompt proves learning doesn't have to be lengthy to be valuable.