Active Reading

I’m currently reading How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren. I’ll post a full review, but I wanted to share a quick tip.

 Active reading is the authors’ argument. Only through active reading do you increase your understanding, not just your knowledge. For every book, they offer 4 questions that must be asked.

 There are four basic questions you need to ask and answer about every book: 

1. What is the book about as a whole?

2. What is being said in detail, and how?

3. Is the book true, in its entirety or in part?

4. What do I make of this book, what does it mean for me?

 I have these questions on a simple 3 x 5 card I use as the bookmark. I am reminded of these questions every time I open the book.

 Any tips you have that enhance your active reading habit?