Turn Difficult Reading Into Memorable Ideas You Can Clearly Explain
A live four-week workshop that helps you analyse, remember and explain what you read using a simple method based on the classical Trivium.
Understanding is not explaining
You can spend time reading a challenging book, follow the author's argument and feel that you've understood the ideas.But when you close the book and try to explain what you've read, it can be difficult to recall the important points, organise your thoughts or put the ideas into your own words.Reading and understanding are important. Being able to remember and clearly explain what you've read is another skill entirely.
Get Beyond Understanding
The aim of this workshop is to help you develop a practical method for working through challenging nonfiction, remembering its important ideas and explaining them clearly in your own words.
Over four weeks, you'll practise how to:1. Analyse what you're reading, identifying the main ideas and how they fit together.2. Remember the important points so you can recall them without relying on the text in front of you.3. Explain what you've learned in a clear, structured way, using your own words.
You'll work with a piece of challenging nonfiction that you choose yourself, so you can apply the method to something you genuinely want to understand.By the end, you'll have two recordings of yourself explaining the same material. The first will capture your explanation before applying the method, and the second will capture your explanation afterwards. Comparing them will give you a concrete way to review your progress.
Input
Choose what information is important to you and worth remembering
Processing
Capture that information so you can recall it when you need to
Output
Put it in your own words
A Simple Method
The workshop is built around three stages: Input, Processing and Output. Based on the classical Trivium, this method gives you a practical way to work through challenging nonfiction and turn what you read into ideas you can explain.
1. Input: Read and AnnotateYou'll choose a piece of challenging nonfiction that interests you, read it carefully and use a simple annotation system to identify important ideas, arguments and details.2. Processing: Organise Your UnderstandingYou'll use a 5W1H worksheet to examine what you've read through six questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.This helps you select and organise the information you want to remember and explain.3. Output: Explain in Your Own WordsYou'll make a spoken recording explaining what you've read without looking at the text or your notes.You'll also make an initial recording before applying the full method, allowing you to compare your explanations and assess your progress.
The aim is to develop a repeatable process for understanding important ideas, recalling them and explaining them clearly.
Week 1
You'll be introduced to the method, choose a piece of challenging nonfiction and begin reading it.After the session, you'll make an initial spoken recording explaining what you remember without looking at the text or your notes. This gives you a starting point for measuring your progress.
Week 2
You'll listen to your initial recording and consider what you explained well and where you struggled.You'll then set one or two personal goals to guide your improvement during the rest of the workshop.
Week 3
You'll return to your chosen text, annotate it and use the 5W1H worksheet to organise its important ideas.You'll then make a second spoken recording, explaining what you've read from memory after applying the method.
Week 4
You'll compare your two recordings, review your personal goals and assess how your explanation has developed.You'll also have opportunities for constructive feedback to help you identify what improved and what you can continue working on.
What's Included in the Workshop
The HEYS Read to Explain Founding Pilot combines live teaching, practical exercises, learning resources and feedback to help you apply the method to your own reading.
Four Live Teaching SessionsJoin four 90 minute sessions on Wednesday evenings. Each session introduces the next stage of the workshop and gives you guidance on putting the method into practice.
Four Sunday Support SessionsJoin the Sunday sessions to ask questions, discuss difficulties and get additional guidance. The final Sunday session will focus on reviewing the experience and gathering feedback from the founding group.
Practical Guides and WorksheetsYou'll receive a method guide, an annotation guide, a 5W1H worksheet, a self assessment form and a progress checklist to support your work throughout the workshop.
Personalised FeedbackYou'll have opportunities to receive constructive feedback on your spoken explanations, including observations about what is working and what you could improve.Feedback can be provided during live sessions or privately, depending on your preference and the arrangements made with the instructor.
Session Recordings and ReplaysTeaching sessions will be recorded, with participants' consent, so you can revisit the material or catch up if you cannot attend live.
Access to the Workshop CommunityYou'll have access to a private Skool learning space containing the workshop resources, session replays and community discussions.You'll retain access to the hosted materials and community for as long as HEYS continues to maintain them. This does not include ongoing individual coaching after the workshop ends.
A Small Founding GroupThe workshop is limited to 12 participants so there is room for questions, participation and individual feedback.
Who is this for?
This workshop is for anyone who wants to get more out of challenging nonfiction by learning how to analyse, remember and clearly explain what they read.You don't need any previous experience with the classical Trivium or a particular level of reading ability.The workshop is suitable for you if:1. You enjoy reading nonfiction but sometimes struggle to recall or explain what you've read.2. You want a practical, repeatable method for working through challenging ideas.3. You're willing to read independently and practise explaining ideas in your own words.4. You're comfortable making spoken recordings of yourself, even if you choose not to share them with other participants.5. You're willing to reflect on your progress and give honest feedback about your experience.
Who is this NOT for?
This workshop may not be suitable if you're looking for a speed reading course, a way to memorise entire books or a programme focused primarily on public speaking.It also requires some independent work between sessions. If you're unable to make time for reading, annotation and the recording exercises, you may find it difficult to benefit fully.The aim is to develop a method you can continue practising with your own reading, rather than simply attend four lectures.
Join the Founders
This is the first HEYS Read to Explain workshop, and I'm inviting a small group of participants to help shape its future.The founding pilot is limited to 12 participants. You'll receive the full four week workshop, including live teaching, practical resources, opportunities for feedback and access to the learning community.
Why a Founding Pilot?The method and workshop structure have been developed, but this is the first time the complete programme will be delivered to a group.Your experience will help me understand what works well, what needs improving and how to make future workshops more useful.
What I Ask in ReturnAs a founding participant, you'll be asked to complete a short questionnaire at the end of the workshop, sharing your honest experience and suggestions.You won't be required to provide a testimonial or publicly endorse the workshop.
Founding PriceIn recognition of your participation in the first group and the feedback you'll provide, the workshop is available at a reduced founding price.This price applies to the founding pilot only. It does not guarantee the same price for future workshops.
Full Payment
£234
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2x Monthly Payments
£123
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