Syntopical reading is the most demanding level of reading, where we might examine multiple books on a subject in order to compare and contrast them. While the goal of analytical reading is about understanding one particular book, syntopical reading is about understanding the breadth of a field or subject area. This stage of reading involves identifying relevant sections of different books, understanding the questions the authors are asking, and critically assessing the views and arguments and how they relate to each other.

Syntopical Reading

The next stage of reading is called inspectional reading. At this point, we are reading through a book in order to see what it is and judge whether or not we should spend more time with it. There are two types of inspectional reading:<ul><li>Systematic skimming</li><li>Superficial reading</li></ul>During systematic skimming, we check the parts of the book such as the table of contents or the index to see what material the book covers. This gives us a superficial understanding of what the author is trying to accomplish.During superficial reading, we might read straight through the book without critical assessment.

Inspectional Reading

Once we know the basics about some reading material, we might judge that we need to spend more time with it in order to understand it better. This stage of reading is called analytical reading. During the analytical reading stage, we might assess the author’s arguments, study the narrative, or assess the aesthetic value of the writing. Different types of reading material require different approaches. During analytical reading, we are trying to understand the reading material at the nuts and bolts level.

Analytical Reading

The most basic level of reading is called elementary reading. As you might guess, this is the sort of reading that we learn in elementary school. Although we learn the basics of reading in elementary school, this is the most fundamental sort of reading and sometimes we have to add to our skill in it throughout life. This stage of reading involves recognizing letters, understanding grammar, and knowing the meanings of words.

Elementary Reading

By understanding the different sorts of reading, you can be a more demanding reader and acquire more knowledge in less time. Mortimer Adler asks that you keep four questions in mind in order to be a demanding reader:<ul><li class="ql-align-center">What is this book about?</li><li class="ql-align-center">What exactly is being said, and how?</li><li class="ql-align-center">Is this book true in whole or in part?</li><li class="ql-align-center">Why does it matter?</li></ul>

The way we read a book, article, or paper changes depending on our goals and our skills. It’s useful to think about how we are reading in order to make sure we spend our time and energy in the most effective way. In How to Read a Book, the philosopher Mortimer Adler gives us 4 types of reading to consider.

Types of Reading

Goals of reading. Understanding inspectional, analytical and syntopical reading.

books

Books

problemsolving

Problem Solving

communication

Communication

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

How to properly read a book

Hi Deepstash. I want to see how this app works, so here are the levels of reading I learned about in Mortimer Adler’s book, ‘How to Read a Book’.

With half a million copies in print, How to Read a Book is the best and most successful guide to reading comprehension for the general reader, completely rewritten and updated with new material. A CNN Book of the Week: “Explains not just why we should read books, but how we should read them. It's masterfully done.” –Farheed Zakaria Originally published in 1940, this book is a rare phenomenon, a living classic that introduces and elucidates the various levels of reading and how to achieve them—from elementary reading, through systematic skimming and inspectional reading, to speed reading. Readers will learn when and how to “judge a book by its cover,” and also how to X-ray it, read critically, and extract the author’s message from the text. Also included is instruction in the different techniques that work best for reading particular genres, such as practical books, imaginative literature, plays, poetry, history, science and mathematics, philosophy and social science works. Finally, the authors offer a recommended reading list and supply reading tests you can use measure your own progress in reading skills, comprehension, and speed.

philosophy

Philosophy

education

Learning & Education

With half a million copies in print, How to Read a Book is the best and most successful guide to reading comprehension for the general reader, completely rewritten and updated with new material. A CNN Book of the Week: “Explains not just why we should read books, but how we should read them. It's masterfully done.” –Farheed Zakaria Originally published in 1940, this book is a rare phenomenon, a living classic that introduces and elucidates the various levels of reading and how to achieve them—from elementary reading, through systematic skimming and inspectional reading, to speed reading. Readers will learn when and how to “judge a book by its cover,” and also how to X-ray it, read critically, and extract the author’s message from the text. Also included is instruction in the different techniques that work best for reading particular genres, such as practical books, imaginative literature, plays, poetry, history, science and mathematics, philosophy and social science works. Finally, the authors offer a recommended reading list and supply reading tests you can use measure your own progress in reading skills, comprehension, and speed.

Mortimer J. Adler is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Mortimer J. Adler has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Mortimer J. Adler's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Mortimer J. Adler

Charles Van Doren is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Charles Van Doren has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Charles Van Doren's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

MORTIMER ADLER

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