Questions to Ask While You Read

Good readers do not only collect information. They ask useful questions while they read. Questions keep the mind awake.

Ask what the author is trying to prove. In fiction, ask what the character really wants. In nonfiction, ask what problem the writer is solving.

Ask what feels surprising. Surprise often points to the most important part of the book because it shows where your old thinking meets something new.

Ask what you disagree with and why. Respectful disagreement is one of the fastest ways to sharpen understanding.

Keep your questions simple and short. You do not need a full analysis. A few good questions can make an ordinary reading session much more alive.