Four Rules:

1. Classify the book according to kind and subject matter

   • Classify (practical vs. theoretical, fiction vs. non-fiction)

2. State what the whole book is about with the utmost brevity

3. Enumerate its major parts in their order and relation, and outline these parts as you have outlined the whole

   • Set forth the major parts of the book, and show how these are organized into a whole, by being ordered to one another and to the unity of the whole

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

5. Coming to terms with the author

7. Find the important words and through them come to therms with the author