Deep reading is a cognitive sport. This guide collects methods that improve attention, retention, and synthesis—and links to essays where they are demonstrated.
Start with the core ability
Attention and practice
- Active recall and reconstruction
- Executive attention drills
- Attentional control (build executive attention for deep work)
- Unyielding drive (relentless focus and will)
- Random audio cues and state shifts
- Building learning force over time
- Strategic skimming (read fast with purpose)
Method frameworks
- Why & how to take notes (build a mental knowledge system)
- Three‑stage writing (from notes to synthesis)
- Improve reading with targeted constraints
- Scientific mindset for everyday learning
- Deep thinking fundamentals (time, focus, and flexible application)
- Advanced deep thinking: the Long‑Practice Method
- Entry → Breakthrough (start fast, then escape plateaus)
- Core mastery resources (choose a canon and read deeply)
- Supplementary resources (choose the right materials by stage)
- Initiation → Refinement → Application (build foundations, then apply)
- Grasping the essentials (distill core ideas and think clearly)
- Knowledge certainty (build absolute trust in core concepts)
- Flexible application (from mastery to adaptive problem‑solving)
- Imperceptible assimilation (effortless learning via immersion)