Plain Language Explainer: How to Write a Precise Task for Rewriting Complex Text

What is Plain Language Explainer and why is a precise task needed?

Plain Language Explainer is a web tool that rewrites complex text in plain language and explains unclear terms. It has two fields: 'Your text or idea' and 'Tone, style or format'. You enter text, choose the output language, press 'Generate', and get one result in a separate panel. It can be copied or downloaded as a plain text file.

The tool does not have ready-made styles, sliders, or levels of simplification. Everything depends on how you describe the task in the 'Tone, style or format' field. The more specific the task, the closer the result is to what you need. If you just paste text and press the button, the tool may simplify it too much or not enough, fail to explain the necessary terms, or change the meaning.

What to specify in the input: context, goal, format, constraints

To make the task precise, specify four things. Context: who is this text for? For example, 'for a school student', 'for a colleague without a technical background', 'for a client'. Goal: what should the reader understand or do after reading? For example, 'understand how compound interest works', 'understand the terms of a contract'. Format: how should the answer look? For example, 'a short paragraph', 'a list of steps', 'an explanation with an example'. Constraints: what should not be done? For example, 'do not use terms without explanation', 'do not change the meaning', 'keep all numbers'.

These details help the tool not just simplify words, but also preserve meaning, add explanations where needed, and not go off track. If you do not specify context, the tool may choose an inappropriate level of simplicity. If you do not specify a goal, it may just paraphrase but not explain. If you do not set a format, the result may be inconvenient to use.

Bad task: 'Simplify this text'. Good task: 'Rewrite this text for a person without a financial education. The goal is for them to understand how compound interest works. Explain the term 'capitalization'. Format: a short paragraph and one example. Do not use the words 'nominal' and 'discount' without explanation'.

Example: explaining compound interest to a beginner

Suppose you have a text: 'Compound interest is interest calculated on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest. Formula: A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt), where P is the principal amount, r is the annual interest rate, n is the number of times interest is compounded per year, t is the time in years'. This is an accurate but complex explanation.

You want to explain this to a beginner. In the 'Your text or idea' field, paste this text. In the 'Tone, style or format' field, write: 'Explain in simple words for a person who has never studied finance. The goal is to understand why compound interest is called 'interest on interest'. Give an example with a sum of 1000 rubles at 10% per annum for 2 years. Do not use the formula, explain in words. Format: a short paragraph and an example'. Press 'Generate'.

The tool might output: 'Compound interest is when interest is calculated not only on your initial money but also on the interest that has already accumulated. For example, you deposited 1000 rubles at 10% per annum. In the first year, you will earn 100 rubles, and you will have 1100 rubles. In the second year, interest will be calculated on 1100 rubles, and you will earn 110 rubles. In the end, you will have 1210 rubles. This is 'interest on interest''. This is a simple and accurate answer.

How to check the result

After generation, carefully read the answer. Make sure the meaning of the original text has not changed. Check that all unfamiliar terms are explained. If there were constraints in the task (for example, 'do not use the formula'), check that they are followed. If the answer is too complex or, conversely, too simplified, try changing the task and generating again.

The tool does not guarantee error-free operation. It may miss something or add something extra. Therefore, always compare with the original text. If you use the result for important purposes (for example, for education or work), it is better to show it to someone else or verify the facts yourself.

Tool limitations

Plain Language Explainer works only with text. It does not process documents, does not perform OCR, does not save history, does not have batch processing, and does not integrate with other services. The maximum length of the first field is 8000 characters, the second is 1000 characters. For speech, it is 3000 characters; for images, 4 MB; for audio, 20 MB or 5 minutes. Export is possible only to TXT for text, SVG and PNG for vectors, WAV for speech, SRT for subtitles. There is no export to DOCX or PDF.

The tool does not generate photorealistic images and does not create audio or video. Speech is voiced using eSpeak, and images are vector compositions. Model responses may contain errors, and the queue and availability may vary. Therefore, you should not rely on the tool for legal, medical, or financial advice. It is intended only for simplifying text and explaining terms.

How to compose a task: step-by-step instructions

1. Paste the complex text into the first field. 2. In the second field, write who this text is for, what the goal is, in what format the answer is needed, and what constraints there are. 3. Choose the output language. 4. Press 'Generate'. 5. Read the result and check whether it matches the task. 6. If needed, change the task and try again.

The more specifically you describe the task, the better the result will be. Do not be afraid to add details: they help the tool understand what exactly you want. For example, if you need to explain a term, write: 'Explain the term 'X' so that a fifth-grader understands'. If you need to preserve numbers, write: 'Do not change numbers and dates'.

Task: 'Rewrite this text for a client without a legal education. The goal is for them to understand what obligations they have under the contract. Explain the terms 'force majeure' and 'penalty'. Format: a list of 3 points. Do not use Latin terms'. This task will give a clear and useful result.