“A formula can be stated for operating according to this third rule. It will guide you in a general way. “According to the second rule, we had to say: **The whole book is about so and so and such and such**. “That done, we might obey the third rule by proceeding as follows: (1) **The author accomplished this plan in five major parts**, of which the first part is about so and so, the second part is about such and such, the third part is about this, the fourth part about that, and the fifth part about still another thing. (2) **The first of these major parts is divided into three sections**, of which the first considers X, the second considers Y, and the third considers Z. (3) **In the first section of the first part, the author makes four points**, of which the first is A, the second B, the third C, and the fourth D. And so on and so forth.“ ([Location 1258](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B004PYDAPE&location=1258)) --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[analytical-reading]], [[reading-books]], [[systems-thinking]] **Source** -- [[20250103084100 - B - How to Read a Book]]