Rules for analytical reading

From Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren: How to Read a Book. Revised and Updated Edition. Simon & Schuster 1972, 426 pages. ISBN 0-671-21209-5.

I The first stage of analytical reading: Rules for finding what the book is about

1. Classify the book according to kind and subject matter

2. State what the whole book is about with the utmost brevity

3. Enumerate its major parts in their order and relation, and outline these parts as you have outlined the whole

4. Define the problem or problems the author is trying to solve

II The second stage of analytical reading: Rules for interpreting a book's content

5. Come in terms with the author by interpreting his key words

6. Grasp the author's leading propositions by dealing with his most important sentences

7. Know the author's arguments, by finding them in, or constructing them out of, sequences of sentences

8. Determine wich of his problems the author has solved, and which he has not; and of the latter, decide which the author knew he had failed to solve.

III The third stage of analytical reading: Rules for criticizing a book as a communication of knowledge

A. General maxims of intellectual etiquette

9. Do not begin criticism until you have completed your outline and interpretation of the book. (Do not say you agree, disagree, or suspend judgement, until you can say "I understand".)

10. Do not disagree disputiously or contentiously

11. Demnostrate that you recognize the difference between knowledge and mere personal opinion by presenting good reasons for any judgement you make.

B. Special criteria for points in criticism.

12. Show wherein the author is uninformed

13. Show wherein the author is misinformed

14. Show wherein the author is illogical

15. Show wherein the author's analysis or account is incomplete