How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading

Part 2 covers the third level of reading, analytical reading (which is divided into three stages, each stage consisting of four rules). The first stage is covered in Chapters 6-7. In Chapter 6, Adler and Van Doren state that the first rule of analytical reading is that “you must know what kind of book you are reading, and you should know this as early in the process as possible, preferably before you begin to read” (60). In stressing the importance of classifying books, the authors describe expository books as those which convey knowledge. The first rule of analytical reading applies to many types of books, but it primarily applies to nonfiction—expository books that consist of opinions, theories, hypotheses, and speculations (60).

Within the broad classification of expository books, there is a narrower distinction between theoretical and practical books. The distinction between these two types of books is related to knowledge and action. In other words, “theoretical books teach you that something is the case; practical books teach you how to do something you want to do or think you should do” (66). Using their own book as an example, Adler and Van Doren explain that any guidebook which instructs the reader what to do or how to do it is practical.