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Adler explains for whom the book is intended, defines different classes of reading, and tells which classes will be addressed. He also makes a brief argument favoring the Great Books and explains his reasons for writing How to Read a Book.

There are three types of knowledge: practical, informational, and comprehensive. He discusses the methods of acquiring knowledge, concluding that practical knowledge, though teachable, cannot be truly mastered without experience; that only informational knowledge can be gained.

By one whose understanding equals the author’s; that comprehension (insight) is best learned from who first achieved said understanding — an “original communication”. The idea that communication directly from those who first discovered an idea is the best way of gaining understanding is Adler’s argument for reading the Great Books;

As the experienced reader will be able to do all three in the course of reading the book just once. Adler names the readings “structural”, “interpretative”, and “critical”, in that order. Structural Stage: The first stage of analytical reading is concerned with understanding the structure and purpose of the book.

It begins with determining the basic topic and type of the book being read, to better anticipate the contents and comprehend the book from the very beginning. Adler says that the reader must distinguish between practical and theoretical books, as well as determine the field of study that the book addresses.

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Interpretive Stage: The second stage of analytical reading involves constructing the author’s arguments. This first requires the reader to note and understand any special phrases and terms that the author uses.

Once that is done, Adler says that the reader should find and work to understand each proposition that the author advances and the author’s support for those propositions. Critical Stage: In the third stage of analytical reading, Adler directs the reader to critique the book.

He asserts that upon understanding the author’s propositions and arguments, the reader has been elevated to the author’s level of understanding and is now able (and obligated) to judge the book’s merit and accuracy. Adler advocates judging books based on the soundness of their arguments.