1. Continental Shelf: This is the gently sloping, submerged area extending from the shoreline out to a point where there's a steeper drop-off. It's relatively shallow, typically less than 200 meters deep. The continental shelf is a biologically diverse area, rich in marine life and resources like oil and gas.

2. Continental Slope: This is the relatively steep incline that connects the continental shelf to the deep ocean floor. It's characterized by canyons, submarine channels, and turbidity currents. The continental slope is generally between 200 and 4,000 meters deep.

3. Continental Rise: This is the gently sloping area at the base of the continental slope. It's formed by sediments that have been transported from the shelf and slope, and accumulate at the foot of the slope. The continental rise is usually between 4,000 and 6,000 meters deep.

Here's a simplified analogy: Imagine a beach, with the sand stretching out towards the sea. The continental shelf is like that sandy beach, but submerged. The continental slope is like the steep cliff that marks the end of the beach, dropping down to the ocean floor. And the continental rise is like the gently sloping sand that accumulates at the base of that cliff.