Foundations of self-directed learning

How to Read a Book : A Tool for Greater Success as a Student

This is a book for readers and for those who wish to become readers Particularly , it is for those whose main purpose in reading books is to gain increased understanding

-Alder and Van Doren

Summary

How to Read a Book written by Alder and van Doren is a guide to attacking reading of all types and becoming a successful reader Reading is an active endeavor and they liken the responsibility of it to catching a ball (Alder , 4

) A reader is thus an active receiver ' and must act accordingly and respond as such . There are then two types of reading , as it is applied to active readers . Alder and Van Doren suggest that one reads either to obtain information or to reach a greater understanding of the work and how it connects to their experience but the two must be kept separate . Books then become categorized and can be approached according to their use

To fully participate , as an active reader , you must question as you read . The questions the authors suggest allow the reader to create an understanding that is solely their own , thus allowing a more complete understanding of the author 's point of view as well as their thoughts on the author 's position and its relation to their own

The questions are as follows (Alder 215

What is the book about as a whole

Summarize the plot

What is being said in detail and how is it being said

Identify the characters

Identify point of view

Identity setting

Is the book true in whole or part

Does the book seem to be realistic

Is it consistent

Does the story satisfy you

Do you appreciate the story

What of the story

How does it relate to larger themes and universal ideas

Books should be used as means of discovery . Their purpose is to create a new appreciation of the reader 's reality or as means of self-education . The author 's words should only be used as guidelines to fulfill the reader 's needs . If you remember something the author says , you have learned something from reading him . If what he says is true , you have even learned something about the world . But whether it is a fact about a book or a fact about the world that you have learned you have gained nothing but information if you have exercised only your memory . Enlightenment is achieved only when , in addition to knowing what an author says , you know what he means and why he said it (Alder ,20 ) Isn 't this the point of higher education ? Not to simply regurgitate facts but to show what they mean to you , why they are important and why you have gained from your reading . It is a different world where my supported opinions matter . The key word there is of course , supported

They describe four types of writing and provide strategies for reading each type . Elementary reading...