The phrase “draw the rest of the owl” refers to overly simplified how-to guides or tutorials that leave out key steps in explaining a process. It comes from a meme showing two drawings from a hypothetical drawing guide: in the first drawing, a simple oval shape representing the owl’s head is drawn; in the second, a fully detailed picture of an owl is shown, with the caption “draw the rest of the owl.” This meme humorously illustrates how some instructions make complex processes seem deceptively easy by glossing over crucial details.
Origin of the Meme
The “draw the rest of the owl” meme originated from a webcomic called How to Draw an Owl created by Sarah Andersen in 2011. In just two panels, the comic depicts a simple circle labeled “Step 1: Draw an oval” followed by a highly detailed owl drawing labeled “Step 2: Draw the rest of the owl.” This absurdly unhelpful advice quickly resonated with many people as a commentary on poorly written tutorials that leave out key instructions under the assumption that readers can easily figure out the intermediate steps.
From this webcomic, the phrase “draw the rest of the owl” took off as an internet meme, often accompanied by before-and-after drawings demonstrating missing steps in a process. People started using the meme to humorously call out oversimplified advice and instructions across many contexts, from art tutorials to IKEA furniture assembly diagrams. The meme continues to be widely shared online more than a decade after its origin.
Meaning and Usage
When someone uses the phrase “draw the rest of the owl,” they are calling attention to a significant gap in explanation or instruction. It highlights how some tutorials, guides, and processes present complex tasks as deceptively straightforward, underestimating the difficulty involved for a beginner or someone unfamiliar with the subject matter.
Some common contexts where “draw the rest of the owl” is applicable include:
- Incomplete art or DIY tutorials that leave out key steps
- “How-to” guides that gloss over complicated nuances and details involved in a process
- Self-help or advice that presents solutions to complex problems too simply
- Step-by-step instructions with big jumps in logic or information
- IKEA furniture diagrams that seem to skip assembly steps
- Recipes that leave out quantities or specific ingredients and steps
When used humorously, this phrase calls attention to and pokes fun at the absurdity of oversimplified advice. However, it can also have a more serious meaning, especially when used in instructional contexts. “Drawing the rest of the owl” can signify a frustrating lack of key information needed to successfully follow through on a task.
Examples in Everyday Life
The “draw the rest of the owl” meme can apply to many common situations involving vague or incomplete instructions and advice:
Assembly Instructions
IKEA furniture directions are notorious for making assembly seem quicker and easier than it really is. The instructions may show a simple first step like “Attach side panel A” and then jump to a fully assembled product in the next diagram, leaving the customer to “draw the rest of the owl” in figuring out how to actually join the panels.
Recipes
Some recipe bloggers provide beautifully styled photos of the finished dish but leave out key prep steps, ingredients, and quantities in the written recipe. Trying to follow such an incomplete recipe can feel like being told to “draw the rest of the owl” without guidance.
Self-Help Books
Many self-help books claim to provide a simple, foolproof path to solving complex emotional and behavioral issues. However, critics argue that presenting quick-fix solutions to problems like anxiety, relationships, or bad habits is absurdly reductive. Such books gloss over the nuanced reality behind personal growth and change, telling readers to effectively “draw the rest of the owl” on their own.
Success Advice
When wealthy entrepreneurs or celebrities are asked how they achieved success, their advice often boils down to simplified mantras like “believe in yourself.” While well-intentioned, such counsel overlooks the privilege and luck involved in becoming highly successful. It’s like telling aspiring entrepreneurs to “draw the rest of the owl” on their path to wealth and fame, skipping all the complicated steps in between.
Why People Oversimplify Instructions
There are a few reasons why tutorials, instructions, and advice often leave out key details or oversimplify complex processes:
- Assumptions about the audience’s skill level – Writers may inadvertently make assumptions about readers having prerequisite knowledge and skills, causing them to leave out information a true beginner would need.
- Trying to be brief – Writers want to be concise and not overwhelm readers with too much detail. However, they can remove too many steps in trying to be brief.
- Difficulty explaining nuance – Some skills depend heavily on intuition and feel, making them challenging to articulate in a step-by-step way. Writers may resort to vague generalizations.
- Wanting to show expertise – Experts sometimes have blind spots that make it hard for them to recall the exact pain points and sticking points beginners face. They unconsciously gloss over tricky details they themselves found easy.
Of course, leaving out steps is sometimes reasonable in a quick-start guide or overview meant to provide a broad outline rather than comprehensive detail. However, problems arise when instructions claim to fully teach a skill but then tell readers to fill in too many blanks themselves.
How to Avoid “Draw the Rest of the Owl”
Here are some tips for creating effective, complete instructions that don’t rely on telling people to magically figure out key steps:
- Explain the overall process first before going step-by-step. Give readers context on the scope and sequence.
- Learn where beginners typically struggle. Observe them trying the process or ask about roadblocks.
- Study competing instructions and improve upon them. Don’t blindly assume you know how to explain the process.
- Have test users follow your instructions and provide feedback. Iterate to fill in gaps.
- Explicitly explain the critical nuances that experts take for granted as tacit knowledge.
- Avoid huge leaps between steps. Break down the steps into smaller, more gradual increments.
- Include troubleshooting tips for common problems and mistakes.
With careful attention to detail and beginner user testing, you can create instructions that successfully walk people through a complex process rather than just telling them to magically figure it out.
Conclusion
The “draw the rest of the owl” meme highlights a frustrating experience many can relate to – trying to follow incomplete or vague instructions. While conciseness can be helpful, leaving out too many key steps creates a confusing, unrealistic depiction of how to successfully execute complex tasks.
Trying to follow poor instructions leaves one feeling like they need to somehow magically fill in gaps in knowledge. Thoughtfully crafted instructions should walk through each nuance, providing all the information a true beginner would require. With detailed, transparent instructions, anyone willing to put in effort should be able to pick up a new skill, whether it be drawing photorealistic owls or anything else.