COMPREHENSION 1. Summarire what Adler means by "marking up a book."
2. In your own words, explain how you believe Adler would define the word boot.
3. Adler mentions books throughout the essay. What particular type of book is he
referring to?
RHETORIC
1. What is the tone of the essay? What can you infer from this tone about Adler's emo-
tional relationship to books?
2. Paragraph 15 lists devices for marking a book. What is the function of enumerating
them in this way? How would the tone of this section have been altered if Adler had
summarized these devices in paragraph form?
3. The author makes reference to various intellectual and artistic figures and works in
the essay: How does this help determine for whom the essay has been targeted?
4. Study the relationship between paragraph 9 and paragraphs 10-12. What is the rhe
torical format of this section? What method of argumentation is Adler employing?
5. Adler uses the analogy that "reading a book should be: a conversation between you
and the author." What other analogies can you find in the essay?
6. Adler raises objections to his argument and then refutes the objections. Where does
he make use of this rhetorical device? How effective is it in advancing his argument?
7. Adler calls Gone with the Wind "light fiction." Is this opinion or fact? Is it a mere obser-
vation or a criticism of the book?

Activity construct an argument about a topic, theme, or idea that you read about in william shakespeare's romeo and juliet, act ii or act iii. make sure you create a central claim for your argument that is debatable. provide textual evidence from the play to support your argument. here are some ideas for your essay. notice how each topic is focused and specific. you may write about one of these topics or choose your own focused and specific topic: discuss juliet's level of maturity and compare it to romeo's. compare how the two characters react to the events after their marriage, when romeo is banished from verona. discuss the balcony scene. does the knowledge of romeo and juliet's final fate influence the meaning of the balcony scene or the audience's interpretation of it? discuss the characters of tybalt and romeo as they relate to the theme of family and the theme of love. explain how the character of tybalt develops the theme of family and how the character of romeo develops the theme of romantic love. discuss the character of friar laurence. what motivates him to romeo and juliet to defy their parents? part a choose a topic based on what you read in act ii or act iii of romeo and juliet. then write a thesis statement. part b identify two or three short excerpts from the play as textual evidence to support your thesis statement. part c write a 300-word essay arguing the thesis of your analysis. (i mainly need on part b and c)