How to read a book III

I - THE ANALYSIS OF A BOOK'S STRUCTURE 

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 analyze these parts as you have analyzed the whole. 

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

II - THE INTERPRETATION OF A BOOK'S CONTENTS

1. Come to terms with the author by interpreting his basic words

2. Grasp the author's leading propositions through dealing with his most important sentences.

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

4. Determine which of his problems the author solved, and which he did not; and of the latter, decide which the author knew he failed to solve.

III - THE CRITICISM OF A BOOK AS A COMMUNICATION OF KNOWLEDGE

A. General Maxims

1. Do not begin criticism until you have completed analysis and interpretation. (Do not say you agree, disagree, or suspend judgement, until you can say, "I understand.")

2. Do not disagree disputatiously or contentiously.

3. Respect the difference between knowledge and opinion, by having reasons for any critical judgement you make. 

B. Specific Criteria for Points of Criticism

1. Show wherein the author is uninformed.

2. Show wherein the author is misinformed.

3. Show wherein the author is illogical.

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

Clarissa Lake - Mortimer J. Adler - And Still More Rules, pg. 266-7 - Simon and Schuster - New York, 1966