Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Read for enjoyment. Classic literature should be read for enjoyment as well as education. Look for works by author's you're familiar with through movies or TV. Choose the genre of classic literature that you enjoy reading from past experience.
2

Start slowly and work on reading 30 minutes a day to get into the habit. Keep a dictionary on hand. Use the "Oxford English Dictionary" as a reference for unfamiliar words or to define words that have changed in meaning over time.
3

Find biographical and historical information as it relates to the setting of the story and author. To gain a better understanding of the story find out more about the time period in which a work was created and the background of its author.
4

Do research on the Internet. Numerous websites like Bibliomania provide information for the study and exploration of classical literature. See Resources section below.
5

Understand story structure. Classic literature often contains complex plots and extensive character development. Focus on reading for the overall theme or meaning of the story and take notes to recognize the basic story elements.
6

Buy literature companions. Authoritative works such as the "Oxford Companion to Classical Literature" or the "Norton Anthology of English Literature" offer popular classic works of literature to get you started.
7

Understand the use of footnotes and their purpose in literature. Classic literature is often full of references to social and culture elements of the past. Footnotes may be used to explain these references and make the material easier to understand.