copyright 2008, scott gray 1 how to read a book. copyright 2008, scott gray 2 initial assignment...

Copyright 2008, Scott Gray1

How to Read a Book


Initial Assignment

Read the back cover. Break the book in. Read the preface. Read chapter 1 & 2.


Session 1Active Reading

Who are the active participants in reading? What is the passive object in reading? Discuss reading being active and skillful.


Session 1The Goals of Reading

Discuss “reading for information” and “reading for understanding.”

How is learning from a book like “pulling ones self up by the bootstraps?”

How do the goals of reading fit into the understanding of the differences between information, knowledge, and wisdom?


Session 1Learning by Instruction and Discovery

Why are second year students called sophomores?

If even instruction is active learning, how should we take blanket criticisms of lecture type instruction?


Session 1Practice

Read the biography of John Stuart Mill, p. 367, and answer the test questions which follow.


Session 1Assignments

Read Chapters 3 – 5. Create a one page summary of Inspectional

Reading, using a word processor. Include the following information:

– Systematic skimming– Superficial reading– The four basic questions– Marking a book & note taking

Bring your one page summary to the next class.


Session 2Elementary Reading

What method of reading was taught to you? Have you seen strengths or weaknesses in

that method? What stage of reading are you at?


Session 2Inspectional Reading – Skimming

What should you look at during systematic skimming?

Is skimming active reading? If yes, why? Practice skimming Addicted to Mediocrity, by

Franky Schaeffer What is book about? What kind of book is it?


Session 2Inspectional Reading – Superficial Reading

Describe superficial reading. What is the problem with “speed reading?”


Session 2Be a Demanding Reader

Discuss the “four basic questions” a reader asks.

List some different ways to mark a book. What might you use the inside of the front

and back covers for? Discuss the various types of notes you might

take on a book.



Skim a book you haven’t read before and be prepared to answer the “four basic questions” as far as skimming will allow.

Read Chapters 6 – 8. Be prepared to answer the “four basic

questions” on the assigned chapters.


Session 3Pigeonholing a Book

Why classify a book before reading it? What are the two main types of books? What are the two sub-divisions of expository

books? List and describe the kinds of theoretical

books.


Session 3Pigeonholing a Book – Titles

What is the title of our book? Who wrote it? Does our book have a sub-title? What is it? Can you always tell the type of book by its

title? If no, list several reason why.


Session 3Pigeonholing a Book – Practical & Theoretical

Define & discuss practical and theoretical. Have you heard “hard-headed practical” talk

decrying theology? What is your response? What kind of book is the Bible? What about Matthew, Proverbs, and

Hebrews?


Session 3X-Raying a Book

List the four rules of the first stage of analytical reading.

What is How to Read a Book about? What are the major parts of our book and

how do they relate? Spend 5 minutes coming up with an outline

for the “X-Raying a Book” chapter.


Session 3X-Raying a Book

Just in case this is getting to “theoretical” and seemingly unimportant, consider Locke’s idea on p.82 of “no innate ideas.” Can you reconcile this with Romans 1:18ff?


Session 3Coming to Terms with an Author

Can a term have more than one meaning? Can a term be more than one word? Does anything in this chapter remind you of

the Being Logical class? What is the handy rule of thumb for

determining terms? Is this rule always right?


Session 3Coming to Terms with an Author

How do you determine the meaning of a term?

Discuss p.110’s consideration of vocabulary & terminology.

What are some of the key terms in How to Read a Book?



Begin a second sheet, detailing Analytical Reading. It should have the rules for analytical reading and incorporate the stages of analytical reading. You may also want to have the “types of books” on this page too.

Read Chapters 9 – 12. Put to use “inspectional reading” and the “first state of analytical reading” skills you have learned thus far.


Session 4Determining an Author’s Message

What is the key proposition of Chapter 9, Determining an Author’s Message?

Contrast this second stage of analytical reading to the first.

Discuss, “how essential a part of reading it is to be perplexed and know it.” (p.123)

Why is it important to state important propositions in your own words (p.125)?

State the “perplexed” proposition in your own words.


Session 4 Determining an Author’s Message, cont.

How due rule 6 & 7 relate? What rule does rule #8 refer back to?


Session 4Criticizing a Book Fairly

Talk about “teachability”. What is the criteria for legitimately saying, “I

don’t understand”? Do you agree that “all rational men can

agree”? (p.147) What is the difference between knowledge

and opinion?


Session 4Agreeing or Disagreeing with an Author

What are the four criteria for criticism? Are there any other possible valid reasons

for disagreeing? What is the fallacy Machiavelli commits on

p.159?



Browse Part 3, reading one or two sections which interest you.

Read Part 4. (By the way, what do I mean by “browse” and “read”?)

copyright 2008, scott gray 1 how to read a book. copyright 2008, scott gray 2 initial assignment...

Documents

book slide

scott gray

active reading

method of reading

stage of reading

elementary reading

speed reading

book list