Home › Prompts › Perplexity › Explain a topic at three levels with sources
Explain a topic at three levels with sources
Learn a new topic fast: a one-line version, a paragraph version and a detailed version, all sourced.
PerplexityEducation & tutoringRuleStack original
Written for Perplexity · Updated 2026-10-17
Note: Review and test before use. Provided as is, without warranty. See Terms.
Prompt
DownloadExplain [topic] three ways:
1. One sentence for a [12]-year-old.
2. One paragraph for a smart adult new to the field.
3. A detailed explanation for someone who works in [adjacent field], including key terms and one common misconception.
Cite sources for any facts or numbers, and end with [3] good resources to go deeper.Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details.
Settings & parameters
- Default or Pro Search
Variations
- Add a short quiz at the end.
- Compare two competing theories.
Tips
- The three-level format quickly shows what you actually understand.
- Ask follow-ups on the level that confused you.