How to Read a Book - How to Study

Elementary reading:

Understand the basic meaning of the words and sentences.

Inspectional reading

Get the overall shape of the book quickly. Skim the title, contents, preface, and chapter structure; then read through without getting stuck on unfamiliar details. Decide whether it’s worth deeper study.

Analytical reading

Study one important book closely. Identify its subject and main point, outline how its parts fit together, and figure out the questions or problems the author is addressing. Clarify key terms, trace the author’s claims and reasoning, then evaluate the argument fairly—after you understand it—and give reasons for your judgment.

Syntopical reading

To understand a subject broadly, read several books on it. Compare their ideas and arguments, define the issues in your own terms, and use the books together to answer questions they may not address individually.