Day By Day - How to Read a Book

May. 21, 2006

How to Read a Book - Chap 4 Comments

"The Second level of Reading: Inspectional Reading"

"...you can not read on the inspectional level unless you can read effectively on the elementary level."

There are two types of IR:

INSPECTIONAL READING 1: Systematic Skimming or Pre-Reading
Main aim is to discover whether the book requires a more careful reading. Also, skimming can tell you lots of toher things about the book - even if you decide not to read it again.

Acquire a habit of skimming:
a) Look at the title page and preface - it will give you a good idea of the subject and help you categorize it with other boks you've read.
b) Study the table of contents - to gain a sense of the book's structure -- a road map on a trip.
c) Check the index (if applicable) - quick estimate of the range of topics and books and authors referred to.
d) Read publisher's blurb (dust jacket) "It is not uncommon for author - in these blurbs - to try to summarize as accurately as they can the main points in their book." If the blurb is fluff...mayb the book is too!
**"At this point you may already have enough info about the book to know that you want to read it more carefully, or that you do not want or need to read it at all." If not,
e) Look at chapters that seem pivotal to it's arguement.
f) Finally, flip through the book - reading a paragraph or two or even several pages in a sequence (but no more). Do not fail to read the last 2-3 pages (not the epilogue).

NOTE: Due to some newish features at amazon.com and the like - we can do much of this online now. Features that I use EVERY time I try to figure out if I want to buy a book or not.

This is very active reading. You are a detective looking for clues to the book's general theme or idea.

INSPECTIONAL READING 2: Superficial Reading
Rule - In tackling a difficult book for the first time, read it through without ever stopping to look up or ponder the things you do not understand right away.
Pay attention to what you CAN understand. Go right on reading past things you don't understan until you get to that which you do understand. Even if you only understand 50%-it will help you the next time you read it.

p 37 - reading Shakespeare - exactly!! No fun!

On Reading Speeds - Inspectional reading shoud happen quickly. P 40-41 how to speed read.

SUMMARY: p 42 "You can not comprehend a book without reading it analytically; analytical reading...is undertaken primarily for the sake of comprehension (or understanding)."

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Comments

May. 22, 2006 - Thanks for the birthday blessings

Posted by mijubrifarms

I have a wonderful "little birdie" for a friend. Thanks for stopping by and wishing me a Happy Birthday. She (and her friends) truly blessed me today.

I enjoyed reading your post today. This is how I check out a book at the library and I rarely order a book anywhere if it doesn't have a "look inside" feature such as amazon's.
Thanks again and may you be blessed with a friend as dear in your life as my little birdie is to mine.
God Bless,
Julie

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May. 24, 2006 - I wanted to stop in and say

Posted by Mamma1420/ClassicalMamma

"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!" I hope you and dh had a nice time...

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About Me

Day by Day....we strive to learn together, love each other and have some fun. Day By Day.... we strive to raise our boys to be knights and warriors for the Lord. Some days it's a struggle...

Cast of Charaters

Me - I like to read and knit. I've been a Christian for many years and loving learning about God and seeing the Lord work in our lives! I also post on my other blog, "Journaling Back To Joy"
DH - Is a theologically trained teacher of 4th graders at a Christian school. He loves astronomy, LOTR and playing with the kids! He is the funniest man I know.
J1 - 12 - our oldest. He came to live with us when he was 16 mos old and completely turned our lives inside out! While he is struggling with self-control right now - he is the one who can brighten the room just by smiling! He loves creating things from our recycling and anything that allows him to move (trampoline, skateboards, inline skates, etc)
J2 - 11 - our middle son. He is the one who I am currently homeschooling. He loves to create things from Legos and he loves movies. He would watch movies all day if I let him :( He has just had a major breakthrough in reading - for which we are praising the Lord!
J3 - 6 - my joy. He has a very tender heart for me and really works hard to make me happy. He loves to cuddle and is just learning about Legos. He wants to be with his big brothers so much, but the age difference is a big hurdle right now.
Joshie - 5/29/02 - 2/22/03 - Our surprise! Our only pregnancy that the Lord allowed - and we were blessed to have him for those short mos. We are all still grieving his loss - you'll hear alot about that from time to time. We look forward to getting to know him someday.

Curriculum Choices

• Math: Modern Curr. Press
• Language Arts: Apple Tree, Pathway Readers & Phonics Pathway
• History: California History (Beautiful Feet)
• Science: Exploring Creation Through Astronomy
• Current Read Aloud: Redwall
• Current Audiobook: Blue Dolphin