The Process

There are three stages in reading classical literature:

1. First Read: The Grammar Stage
2. Second Read: The Logic Stage
3. Third Read: The Rhetoric Stage

FIRST READ: THE GRAMMAR STAGE

1. Write the title at the top of the page
2. Read entire chapter without stopping.
3. If any specific ideas or phrases strike you, jot them down
4. Summarize the section in your own words
- What is the most important point?
- What's the ONE THING to remember?
- What else about the ONE THING should you remember?
5. After each chapter, review your summery and write down your reactions in the margin with a different colored pen
6. Do this with each chapter
7. Then read the title page, back copy, TOC. Do not read the preface unless it's written by the author or translated personally
8. Review your summaries and create your own TOC -- then give the book a short title

SECOND READ: THE LOGIC STAGE

1. This is the why and how process. Reread the book again and focus on the the 'hard sections' of the book and enhance your summaries thinking about:
- Why did the writer write it?
- Did the writer succeed?

THIRD READ: THE RHETORIC STAGE

1. Reread the book again while asking:
- What does the writer want me to do, believe and experience?

Read the critics AFTER!

Some good links:

www.pinkmonkey.com
www.sparknotes.com
www.jollyroger.com