Top 6 Best Analyses of Chu Quang Tiem's 'On Reading Books' for 9th Grade

I - ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE TO MASTER

1. Chu Quang Tiem (1897 - 1986) was a famous Chinese aesthetician and literary theorist.

2. Summary of the text:

Chu Quang Tiem emphasizes the significance of reading books, pointing out common mistakes people make while reading and suggesting an effective approach to reading for better results.

3. 'On Reading Books' highlights that reading is crucial for accumulating knowledge and improving education. One should choose books carefully, read meaningfully instead of just reading a lot, and combine both general and specialized reading. Reading should have a clear purpose, rather than being random. This text encourages a responsible attitude towards reading.

II - GUIDELINES FOR READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Question 1. The main issue of the text is reading books. The author presents three key arguments:

Argument one (from the beginning to 'discover a new world'): The importance and significance of reading books for acquiring knowledge and enhancing education.

Argument two (continuing to 'self-exhausting force'): The challenges of reading and common misconceptions people have about reading books.

Argument three (the rest of the text): The correct method for reading books to achieve the best outcomes.

Question 2. Books are incredibly important: They record the experiences and achievements humans have made. They mark milestones on the intellectual journey of mankind. Books are a treasure trove of knowledge and spiritual values that humanity has accumulated.

Given their importance, reading books is the path to advancing one's education. Reading allows for knowledge accumulation, preparing for life and further exploration of the world.

Question 3. To effectively accumulate knowledge through reading, one must select books wisely. With so many books available, it's easy to be overwhelmed by quantity without understanding much. Without careful selection, one may fall into reading books that aren't suitable for one's field of expertise, wasting time and money.

The author recommends the following standards for choosing books:

- Don’t focus on quantity or random reading; choose books relevant to your field, with real value.

- Read and reflect deeply on the selected books.

- Combine wide reading with specialized reading. These types of books complement each other, offering both broad and deep knowledge.

Question 4. Discussing reading books begins with choosing the right ones. Selecting books that match your field is the first step in effective reading. Once you've chosen a book, read it thoroughly, not skimming through. Don't aim for quantity, but read with contemplation, especially for valuable books.

Reading should follow a plan and purpose, not be done haphazardly or on a whim. Specialized reading enhances one's academic and professional expertise. Reading is not just about accumulating knowledge but also about shaping character and preparing for long-term life and work.

Question 5. The text 'On Reading Books' is highly persuasive due to its well-structured arguments. The author draws from personal experience and thoughtful analysis to point out common mistakes readers often make. These include reading a lot without retaining much or spreading one's focus too thin, like a battlefield strategy that exhausts one’s strength. The author provides insightful comparisons: mastering knowledge is like winning a battle; reading many books without understanding is like eating food that doesn’t digest—it doesn’t nourish, it harms. Reading without deep thinking is like riding a horse through a busy marketplace—everything blurs, and even though treasures are present, nothing is gained. Specializing without considering breadth is also a problem, like a mouse trying to burrow into a cow’s horn—getting narrower and more difficult the further one goes.

II - EXERCISE GUIDELINES

Pick out a few lessons that you find impactful from the essay 'On Reading Books'. These could relate to reading excessively without retaining anything, reading haphazardly with no selection, or reading on a whim without following a consistent plan.

I. About the Author
Chu Quang Tiềm (1897-1986), born as Tự Mạnh Thực
- Hometown: Dongcheng, Anhui, China
- Career:
+ He was a renowned Chinese aesthetician and theorist
+ He was a great figure with extensive knowledge, the author of several influential essays

II. Works
1. Background of the Work
- This essay by Chu Quang Tiềm is excerpted from "Famous Figures in China Discussing the Joys and Sorrows of Reading", Beijing (1995), translated by Trần Đình Sử
2. Structure: 3 parts
- Part 1: (“Knowledge... New World”): The importance of reading
- Part 2: (Continuing to “wasting energy”): The difficulties and wrong tendencies in reading books today
- Part 3: (The rest): Discussing the methods of reading
3. Content Value
- In this essay, Chu Quang Tiềm affirms that reading is an important path for accumulating and enhancing knowledge. By pointing out the mistakes in reading, the author advocates a scientific and reasonable approach to reading books.
4. Artistic Value
- The essay raises and discusses a significant issue in life. The arguments are clear and convincing. The structure is logical, coherent, and the ideas follow naturally. The writing style is rich with imagery and contains many interesting comparisons.

1. Summary of the Text and Evaluation of the Structure of the Excerpt on Reading

Answer:

The excerpt addresses fundamental issues: the role of reading, how to choose books to read, and methods for reading.

Evaluation of how the author arranges the argumentative issues:

- What content is presented first, and why?

- The author skillfully combines discussions on choosing books to read and reading methods. How does this concise yet deep presentation enhance the discussion?

2. Analyze Chu Quang Tiềm's Concept of Choosing Books to Read.

Answer:

Analyzing Chu Quang Tiềm's thoughts on selecting books can be approached through the following aspects:

- Why is selection necessary? To answer this question, focus on the part of the essay discussing "As history progresses... the self-destructive approach".

+ The abundance of books makes it hard to specialize, and people often fall into a “devour everything” approach, unable to digest and reflect on them properly.

+ The overwhelming number of books causes difficulty in choosing, wasting time and energy on books that are not truly useful.

- How should we select books? Combining specialized books with general knowledge books, how should this balance be approached?

+ Do not read indiscriminately or excessively. Focus on carefully reading essential books and materials in your area of expertise.

+ Along with specialized books, one should not neglect reading popular science books or those close to one's field, as “without a broad understanding, one cannot specialize, and without wisdom, one cannot grasp the core”.

3. What are Chu Quang Tiềm's Ideas on the Method of Reading? What are your thoughts on these ideas?

Answer:

Chu Quang Tiềm presents specific and profound opinions on reading methods. This can be analyzed and expressed in several points:

- The ability to choose books is already a significant part of the reading method.

- One should not skim through books just for decoration, but should read thoughtfully, “reflecting deeply, imagining freely,” especially for valuable books.

- Reading should not be aimless or haphazard, but planned and systematic.

When discussing your thoughts on these ideas, consider the current social and cultural context (the increasing number of books, the risk of other forms of media overshadowing reading...), and relate them to your actual experiences with reading and studying.

4. Evaluate the Writing Style (Argumentation, Structure, etc.) of the Author.

Answer:

The essay by Chu Quang Tiềm is persuasive mainly due to the relevance and depth of the arguments, which are both logical and emotionally resonant. Moreover, the persuasiveness comes from the way the arguments are presented. This can be analyzed through several aspects:

- The essay's structure is tight and logical, with ideas flowing naturally from one to the next.

- The analysis is specific and conversational, sharing real-world experiences of success and failure.

- Especially, the author’s writing is rich in imagery. Many ideas are illustrated with vivid and interesting metaphors, such as: “Glance over” is common, but “leave an impression” is rare, like eating...” ; “Mastering knowledge is like fighting a battle...” ; “Reading a lot without thinking is like riding a horse through a market...” ; “Like a mouse entering an ox’s horn, the deeper it goes, the narrower it becomes, unable to find an escape”...

5. Present your Thoughts After Reading and Understanding Chu Quang Tiềm's Essay on Reading.

Answer:

You should present your reflections based on the following points:

- A deeper understanding and appreciation of the importance of books and the significance of reading.

- The proper way to choose books to read.

- The specific methods of reading (thinking critically, making connections, etc.).

- Learn from the way the author presents arguments and writes persuasive essays.

I. General Overview

1. Author

Chu Quang Tiềm (1897 – 1986): A renowned Chinese aesthetician and literary theorist.

2. Work

In his writings, he frequently discusses the subject of reading books. This particular article reflects his years of accumulated experience and thoughtful reflections, offering guidance to future generations.

II. Study Guide

Question 1 on page 6 of the 9th-grade literature textbook, volume 2:

The text emphasizes the importance of reading books. In the process of accumulating knowledge, this activity requires a high standard.

The text is well-structured:

Part 1 (academic knowledge... discovering new worlds): emphasizes the significance of reading books.
Part 2 (history... self-consuming energy): outlines the challenges and dangers of reading in the current context.
Part 3 (the remainder): discusses methods of reading (how to choose books and the right way to read them)

Question 2 on page 6 of the 9th-grade literature textbook, volume 2:

Books hold immense importance for both individual lives and society as a whole. In order to develop and mature, one must absorb and creatively build upon the knowledge, experiences, and achievements accumulated throughout human history. Books serve as repositories of knowledge and are precious spiritual heritage of humanity.

For individuals, reading is the best way to acquire societal and life experiences. It is also preparation for a long and arduous journey in the pursuit of knowledge, accumulating wisdom, and exploring the world.

Question 3 on page 6 of the 9th-grade literature textbook, volume 2:

a) In today’s context, with the increasing number of books, reading has become more difficult. Chu Quang Tiềm points out at least two hazards:

The abundance of books makes it hard to specialize, causing people to “consume without digesting,” leaving them unable to deeply reflect on the material.
The sheer volume of books makes it challenging to choose the right ones, wasting time and effort on those that are not useful.
The author suggests the need to carefully select the books to read. This is expressed as follows:

Don't just read widely; focus on in-depth reading of valuable works that benefit you.
It’s important to read deeply in your area of expertise.
While reading specialized materials, don’t forget to read books in related fields that complement your main area of focus.

Question 4 on page 7 of the 9th-grade literature textbook, volume 2:

Choosing the right books to read is a crucial aspect of the reading process. Chu Quang Tiềm’s advice on reading methods is profound yet simple, encompassing several key points:

Don’t skim through books; read carefully, reflect, and “quietly accumulate imagination,” especially with valuable books.
Don't read randomly; create a structured and systematic reading plan. Think of reading as a form of training, a quiet and challenging preparation.
According to the author, reading is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about character development and learning how to be a better person.

Question 5 on page 7 of the 9th-grade literature textbook, volume 2:

The persuasive power of the essay stems from several key elements:

From the content to the presentation, the arguments are sound and emotionally resonant. The points made are clear, well-reasoned, vivid, and easily understood.
The essay is well-organized, and the ideas flow naturally.
The use of vivid metaphors and imagery in the essay is another important factor contributing to its persuasive power.

III. Practice: The Essay on Reading Books

Reading is a vital path for intellectual growth. With so many books available today, one must learn to select the right ones, focusing on quality rather than quantity. It’s essential to combine casual reading with in-depth reading and to balance general books with specialized literature. Reading must be purposeful and systematic, not spontaneous. One must read and reflect. In his essay “On Reading Books,” Chu Quang Tiềm has effectively presented these thoughtful ideas with clear reasoning and vivid examples.

Structure

- Part 1 (from the beginning… the new world): the role and significance of reading books

- Part 2 (continuing… draining one’s energy): the common mistakes when reading books

- Part 3 (remaining section) proper and effective reading methods

Question 1 (page 6 of the textbook, grade 9, volume 2)

In discussing the importance of reading, particularly focusing on the significance and proper methods of reading, the author addresses the following:

- The critical role of reading books

- The challenges and potential harms associated with reading books in today’s world

- How to choose the right books and read them effectively

Question 2 (page 6 of the textbook, grade 9, volume 2)

Books are of immense importance to both the individual and society.

- To grow and mature, one must absorb, inherit, and creatively apply knowledge, experience, and achievements.

- Books are a treasure trove of knowledge and a spiritual legacy of humanity.

- Books are essential to personal development and societal progress.

- Reading books is one of the best ways to accumulate knowledge and life experience.

- It is also a necessary preparation for academic advancement and conquering the world.

Question 3 (page 6 of the textbook, grade 9, volume 2)

In a world overflowing with information, with an ever-growing number of books being published, individuals can easily become overwhelmed if they lack the ability to select and process information scientifically.

- This results in a superficial understanding, consuming information without truly processing it, without reflecting on it.

- It makes it difficult to choose valuable books, leading to wasted time and energy on unhelpful texts.

∗ Selecting the right books:

- Avoid reading indiscriminately or excessively; instead, focus on selecting and reading books that are truly valuable.

- While specializing, do not disregard books related to your field that are enjoyable and relevant.

- The author asserts that no knowledge is isolated or irrelevant; understanding broad topics is essential before mastering specialized ones.

- It’s important to read foundational and specialized books in one’s field.

Question 4 (page 7 of the textbook, grade 9, volume 2)

The selection of books to read is crucial in the method of reading. The author, Chu Quang Tiem, provides insightful, relatable, and easily understandable advice on the method of reading books.

- Avoid skimming; instead, read thoughtfully and reflect, especially with valuable books.

- Do not read randomly or haphazardly; reading should be planned and systematic. View reading as a discipline that requires quiet, consistent effort.

The author also suggests that reading books is not only about learning knowledge but also about shaping character and learning how to be a better person.

Question 5 (page 7 of the textbook, grade 9, volume 2)

The persuasive power of the essay is built upon key elements:

+ Both the content and presentation of the essay are logical, convincing, and easily understood. The arguments presented are valid, reasonable, cohesive, and lively.

+ The essay has a well-structured, logical flow, with ideas naturally progressing.

- The author uses vivid metaphors and concrete examples, making the argument more persuasive.

Exercise

The most insightful realization after reading the essay 'Discussing the Importance of Reading':

+ Recognizing that I have not yet developed a clear plan or persistence when it comes to reading.

+ My approach to reading is largely emotional, without proper selection or in-depth research on content.

+ I have not yet diversified my reading, mainly focusing on literature.

+ My in-depth reading is still limited, and I lack a more comprehensive perspective.

Meaning - Value

After this lesson, students will:

- Realize the importance and value of reading in acquiring and improving one’s knowledge.

- Reflect on their own reading habits and improve their approach to reading effectively.

- Learn from the author's presentation style, reasoning, and sharp arguments.