Three Levels of Reading Reading on the Lines Reading Between the Lines Reading beyond the lines

The First Level of Reading “Reading on the Lines” Find meaning directly in the text As you read, mentally answer the questions “Who?” “What?” “When?” and “Where?”

The Second Level of Reading “Reading between the Lines” This requires interpretation of the text. Analyze what you read: interpret, classify, compare, contrast, find patterns… As you read, your key concerns are the following: What does the passage represent, suggest or personify? What does a certain reference or metaphor mean?

The Third Level of Reading “Reading beyond the Lines” At this level, you should move beyond the text to connect to universal meaning. As you read, ask yourself, “How does this text connect to my life? With life in a larger sense? With all human beings? With my ideas about morality or values? What is the author telling me about life in a larger sense—about being human?” Move beyond the “what?” of the text to the “so what?”