Part 25 - AI Buddy... why do we understand some texts right away, while others we have to read several times?
Have you ever read a text and thought, “That was easy to understand”? Or perhaps the opposite: “I don’t understand what they’re trying to say.” The difference is rarely about how intelligent the reader is. It’s often about how the content is written and structured. In this article, we take a closer look at what makes academic content easy to understand – without it becoming superficial.
Magne & the Friend
Magne
Friend...
I have experienced something many times.
Two people can explain exactly the same thing.
One makes it easy.
The other one makes it difficult.
Why does it happen?
The buddy
Because good communication is not about using as many technical terms as possible.
It's about helping others understand.
There is an important difference.
Magne
So...
A professional is not necessarily a good communicator?
The buddy
No.
A professional can have enormous knowledge.
But if that knowledge is not made understandable, it will not reach.
The best communicator is often the one who manages to make something difficult easier – without doing it wrong.
Magne
That reminds me of something we talked about before.
We will explain technical terms.
Don't hide behind them.
The buddy
Yes.
Technical terms have an important function.
They provide precision.
But they must be invited into the text.
Don't throw it in the reader's head.
Magne
So why do we create our own pages with technical terms?
The buddy
Exactly.
Then the main text can flow naturally.
At the same time, the reader knows that there is always an explanation if a concept is new.
It creates security.
Magne
I actually like the idea of our website functioning a bit like a good lecturer.
The buddy
That's a very good ambition.
A good lecturer doesn't make the material easier because the subject is simple.
He or she makes it easier because the explanation is good.
Magne
So...
Isn't the goal to impress the reader?
The buddy
No.
The goal is for the reader to understand.
When the reader understands, trust grows.
As trust grows, learning comes.
And when learning comes, value is created.
Academic specialization
Characteristics of good professional communication
Good professional communication:
starts with what the reader knows
building one step at a time
explains new concepts
uses concrete examples
breaks down complex information
shows connections
summarizing along the way
leads the reader further
This is not just good pedagogy.
It also makes the content easier to understand for digital systems that attempt to interpret structure and meaning.
What makes a technical text easy to understand?
Less good communication | Good communication |
Many technical terms without explanation | Technical terms are explained when they are introduced. |
Many technical terms without explanation | Technical terms are explained when they are introduced. |
Long and complicated sentences | Short, clear and precise sentences |
Jumping between topics | One main topic at a time |
Many assumptions | Explains necessary background |
No examples | Uses practical examples |
New terms in this article
English technical term | Short explanation |
Knowledge Communication | To make professional knowledge understandable and useful for the target group. |
Readability | How easy a text is to read and understand. |
Plain Language | Language that is clear, precise and adapted to those for whom the text is written. |
Target Audience | The people the content is made for. |
Example-Based Learning | A method in which practical examples are used to explain theory. |
Analogy | A comparison that makes a difficult topic easier to understand by linking it to something familiar. |
Concept Explanation | An explanation of a technical term or a key concept. |
Scaffolded Learning | A pedagogical method in which new knowledge is gradually built on what the reader already knows. |
Cognitive Load | The mental effort required to understand and process information. |
Communication Strategy | A plan for how knowledge will be presented so that it is understood and remembered. |
We have only just begun.
Magne
Friend...
Now I understand how we should write.
But what about the pictures?
Can an illustration or a watercolor actually make learning easier?
The buddy
Hehe...
There we come to an area that far too many people underestimate.
A good picture doesn't just decorate an article.
That may be part of the explanation itself.
And that is exactly what we are going to explore further.
Academic background and further reading
This series also builds on my own professional journey through the Web Design study , the eMarketing study , Innovation and Commercialization and professional seminars in San Francisco and Oxford . Here you will find the background, professional environments and experiences that have followed the development from the early years of the web to today's digitalization.
Recommended books from our library
Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI
Author: Ethan Mollick
Short review
One of the most recommended introductory books on artificial intelligence. Ethan Mollick explains in an easy-to-understand way how humans and AI can collaborate, what opportunities the technology offers, and why understanding artificial intelligence is becoming an important skill for everyone – not just technologists.
Why we recommend the book
This is one of the best books to start with if you want a practical and understandable introduction to artificial intelligence. It is a perfect fit as the first book in our blog series about AI.
The AI Advantage: How to Put the Artificial Intelligence Revolution to Work
Author: Thomas H. Davenport
Short review
A practical and insightful book that shows how artificial intelligence can be used to create value in businesses. Thomas H. Davenport combines research and concrete examples to explain how AI can improve decisions, streamline work processes, and contribute to innovation.
Why we recommend the book
This book is well suited for managers, employees, and decision-makers who want to understand how artificial intelligence can be used in practice. It bridges the gap between technology and value creation, and therefore fits well with the philosophy behind The Invisible Capital.
Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans
Author: Melanie Mitchell
Short review
Melanie Mitchell provides a balanced and easy-to-understand introduction to what artificial intelligence is, how the technology works, and what limitations it still has. The book distinguishes between myth and reality and makes complex topics accessible to a wide audience.
Why we recommend the book
This book is perfect for those who want a deeper understanding of artificial intelligence without having to be a programmer or data scientist. It complements the other recommendations by placing today's AI developments in a larger academic and historical perspective - exactly the understanding we want to build through this blog series.
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