HIST 242: Early Modern Europe
Spring 2003
How to read as a graduate student
This class requires you to do a considerable amount of reading. The good news, however, is that there are several “tricks” you may use to analytically read while maximizing your time. This, therefore, is a “cheat-sheet” on how to read as a graduate student.
1. Begin by closely reading the introduction. Usually, though not always, introductions lay out the book’s whole raison d’etre. Search for the following:
a. the author’s methodology
i. What kind of approach does he or she use?
ii. What kind of sources?
iii. Is the author confirming or rebutting prior scholarship? Which and how?
iv. Does the author have an agenda (hidden or otherwise)? If so, what is it?
b. the author’s main arguments
i. What is the point of the book? What sub-arguments does the author make in order to get to the point?
c. the book’s organization
i. how are chapters organized?
ii. with what does each chapter deal?
iii. what does each chapter argue?
2. The second step should be reading the conclusion.
a. Are there any things included here that were not in the introduction? If so, what are they?
b. What does the author have to say at the very end? Does he point to the need for further research? Again, if so, what is it?
3. Do the above steps for each of the chapters. In other words, begin each chapter by reading the introduction and conclusion, and asking of them similar questions to the ones above. Then move on to the balance of the chapter.
The above steps will allow you to “skim” the book. Since you need to have a clear understanding of both the book and the period under consideration, though, the usual skimming will not be enough. Nevertheless, by knowing beforehand the main arguments and biases, you will be able to get away with a more cursory reading of some sections, and skip some of them altogether. Be responsible, though: be critical and be prepared!