The SEE-I Method For Clear Writing

Ahoy, Digital Writers!

Have you ever struggled to clarify an idea, even when you thought you understood it?

You write your idea down on a piece of paper. Then you scratch your head and wonder, “What do I say?” Sometimes it’s a lack of knowledge. But most of the time it’s because you haven’t thought critically about your topic or your reader yet.

Here’s the good news:

You can use a simple 4-part method to bring clarity to any idea so it’s easy to understand.

It’s called SEE-I.

Let's dive in!

The SEE-I Method For Clear Writing

SEE-I stands for State, Elaborate, Example, and Illustrate.

It’s a step-by-step process for explaining an idea in a concise way. It reduces ambiguity and confusion, giving your readers a clear, easy-to-follow path through your ideas.

How It Works

• Step 1: Start with a Statement. Clearly state the concept or idea you're trying to communicate. Make sure it's brief and to the point.

• Step 2: Next, Elaborate on that statement. Explain it in your own words, as if you're talking to a friend who's unfamiliar with the topic.

• Step 3: Provide an Example (and counter-example). This is where you bring your statement to life. Use a real-world situation or create a hypothetical scenario that illustrates your point

• Step 4: Lastly, Illustrate with a metaphor or analogy. This simple comparison can clarify complex ideas and assure your readers truly grasp the concept.

Simple, right?

The reason SEE-I works so well is because it matches how our brains learn best. Stating the main idea first helps you focus on what you want to say. Elaborating helps you prove or backup the point you want to make. And giving real examples anchors your point in reality and makes your idea easier to remember.

Let’s look at an example.

Example

Suppose we want to explain the concept of "social proof."

You start the process by first stating what you want to say. For example, “Today, we’re diving into social proof.” Once you know what you want to talk about, then all you have to do is work your way down the list one section at at a time.

Like this:

• State it: “Most people assume that if a crowd is doing something, then it must be ‘proven.’ ”

• Explain: “When you see a crowd doing something, you assume it must be the right thing to do. It's a natural instinct. Our brains are wired to follow the pack, to trust the masses, and to assume safety in numbers—often unconsciously. This is the power of social proof.”

• Example: “For example, when a restaurant is full, you assume the food must be good. Or when you see the Stanley Quencher Cup on Amazon has 33,430 positive reviews, you assume it makes your lemonade sweeter. But, (counter-example) just because something is popular doesn't always mean it's good. McDonald’s is popular, but not necessarily good for you.”

• Illustrate: “Imagine you're walking down a street with two ice cream shops. One has a long line out the door, while the other is empty. Which one are you more likely to choose? The busy one, right? This is how social proof works.”

Each section expands your thinking—and the reader’s comprehension.

Tip: For the “State It” part of the framework, use one of the 6 proven single-sentence openers to pull your reader into the section with a hook.

Now, let’s try this out with AI.