Deep Reading Analyst Skill

Deep Reading Analyst

Transforms surface-level reading into deep learning through systematic analysis using 10+ proven thinking frameworks. Guides users from understanding to application through structured workflows.

Framework Arsenal

Quick Analysis (15min)

📋 SCQA - Structure thinking (Situation-Complication-Question-Answer)
🔍 5W2H - Completeness check (What, Why, Who, When, Where, How, How much)

Standard Analysis (30min)

🎯 Critical Thinking - Argument evaluation
🔄 Inversion Thinking - Risk identification

Deep Analysis (60min)

🧠 Mental Models - Multi-perspective analysis (physics, biology, psychology, economics)
⚡ First Principles - Essence extraction
🔗 Systems Thinking - Relationship mapping
🎨 Six Thinking Hats - Structured creativity

Research Analysis (120min+)

📊 Cross-Source Comparison - Multi-article synthesis

Workflow Decision Tree

User provides content
    ↓
Ask: Purpose + Depth Level + Preferred Frameworks
    ↓
┌─────────────────┬─────────────────┬─────────────────┬─────────────────┐
│   Level 1       │   Level 2       │   Level 3       │   Level 4       │
│   Quick         │   Standard      │   Deep          │   Research      │
│   15min         │   30min         │   60min         │   120min+       │
├─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────┼─────────────────┤
│ • SCQA          │ Level 1 +       │ Level 2 +       │ Level 3 +       │
│ • 5W2H          │ • Critical      │ • Mental Models │ • Cross-source  │
│ • Structure     │ • Inversion     │ • First Princ.  │ • Web search    │
│                 │                 │ • Systems       │ • Synthesis     │
│                 │                 │ • Six Hats      │                 │
└─────────────────┴─────────────────┴─────────────────┴─────────────────┘

Step 1: Initialize Analysis

Ask User (conversationally):

"What's your main goal for reading this?"
- Problem-solving / Learning / Writing / Decision-making / Curiosity
"How deep do you want to go?"
- Quick (15min) / Standard (30min) / Deep (60min) / Research (120min+)
"Any specific frameworks you'd like to use?"
- Suggest based on content type (see Framework Selection Guide below)

Default if no response: Level 2 (Standard mode) with auto-selected frameworks

Framework Selection Guide

Based on content type, auto-suggest:

📄 Strategy/Business articles → SCQA + Mental Models + Inversion
📊 Research papers → 5W2H + Critical Thinking + Systems Thinking
💡 How-to guides → SCQA + 5W2H + First Principles
🎯 Opinion pieces → Critical Thinking + Inversion + Six Hats
📈 Case studies → SCQA + Mental Models + Systems Thinking

Step 2: Structural Understanding

Always start here regardless of depth level.

Phase 2A: Basic Structure

📄 Content Type: [Article/Paper/Report/Guide]
⏱️ Estimated reading time: [X minutes]
🎯 Core Thesis: [One sentence]

Structure Overview:
├─ Main Argument 1
│   ├─ Supporting point 1.1
│   └─ Supporting point 1.2
├─ Main Argument 2
└─ Main Argument 3

Key Concepts: [3-5 terms with brief definitions]

Phase 2B: SCQA Analysis (Quick Framework)

Load references/scqa_framework.md and apply:

## SCQA Structure

**S (Situation)**: [Background/context the article establishes]
**C (Complication)**: [Problem/challenge identified]
**Q (Question)**: [Core question being addressed]
**A (Answer)**: [Main solution/conclusion]

📊 Structure Quality:
- Clarity: [★★★★☆]
- Logic flow: [★★★★★]
- Completeness: [★★★☆☆]

Phase 2C: 5W2H Completeness Check (if Level 1+)

Quick scan using references/5w2h_analysis.md:

## Information Completeness

✅ Well-covered: [What, Why, How]
⚠️  Partially covered: [Who, When]
❌ Missing: [Where, How much]

🔴 Critical gaps: [List 1-2 most important missing pieces]

Step 3: Apply Thinking Models

Select based on depth level and user preference:

Level 1 (Quick - 15 min)

Core: Structure + SCQA + 5W2H Quick Check

Output:

SCQA breakdown
Information gaps (from 5W2H)
TOP 3 insights
1 immediate action item

Level 2 (Standard - 30 min)

Add: Critical Thinking + Inversion

Load and apply:

references/critical_thinking.md:
- Argument quality assessment
- Logic flaw identification
- Evidence evaluation
- Alternative perspectives
references/inversion_thinking.md:
- How to ensure failure? (reverse the advice)
- What assumptions if wrong?
- Missing risks
- Pre-mortem analysis

## Critical Analysis

### Argument Strength: [X/10]
Strengths:
- [Point 1]

Weaknesses:
- [Point 1]

Logical fallacies detected:
- [If any]

## Inversion Analysis

🚨 How this could fail:
1. [Failure mode 1] → Mitigation: [...]
2. [Failure mode 2] → Mitigation: [...]

Missing risk factors:
- [Risk 1]

Level 3 (Deep - 60 min)

Add: Mental Models + First Principles + Systems + Six Hats

Load and apply:

references/mental_models.md:
- Select 3-5 relevant models from different disciplines
- Apply each lens to the content
- Identify cross-model insights
references/first_principles.md:
- Strip to fundamental truths
- Identify core assumptions
- Rebuild understanding from base
references/systems_thinking.md:
- Map relationships and feedback loops
- Identify leverage points
- See the big picture
references/six_hats.md:
- White (facts), Red (feelings), Black (caution)
- Yellow (benefits), Green (creativity), Blue (process)

## Multi-Model Analysis

### Mental Models Applied:
1. **[Model 1 from X discipline]**
   Insight: [...]

2. **[Model 2 from Y discipline]**
   Insight: [...]

3. **[Model 3 from Z discipline]**
   Insight: [...]

Cross-model pattern: [Key insight from combining models]

### First Principles Breakdown:
Core assumptions:
1. [Assumption 1] → Valid: [Yes/No/Conditional]
2. [Assumption 2] → Valid: [Yes/No/Conditional]

Fundamental truth: [What remains after stripping assumptions]

### Systems Map:

Leverage point: [Where small change = big impact]


### Six Hats Perspective:
🤍 Facts: [Objective data]
❤️ Feelings: [Intuitive response]
🖤 Cautions: [Risks and downsides]
💛 Benefits: [Positive aspects]
💚 Ideas: [Creative alternatives]
💙 Process: [Meta-thinking]

Level 4 (Research - 120 min+)

Add: Cross-source comparison via web_search

Use web_search to find 2-3 related sources, then:

Load references/comparison_matrix.md
Compare SCQA across sources
Identify consensus vs. divergence
Synthesize integrated perspective

## Multi-Source Analysis

### Source 1: [This article]
S-C-Q-A: [Summary]
Key claim: [...]

### Source 2: [Found article]
S-C-Q-A: [Summary]
Key claim: [...]

### Source 3: [Found article]
S-C-Q-A: [Summary]
Key claim: [...]

## Synthesis

**Consensus**: [What all agree on]
**Divergence**: [Where they differ]
**Unique value**: [What each contributes]
**Integrated view**: [Your synthesis]

Step 4: Synthesis & Output

Generate based on user goal:

For Problem-Solving:

## Applicable Solutions
[Extract 2-3 methods from content]

## Application Plan
Problem: [User's specific issue]
Relevant insights: [From analysis]

Action steps:
1. [Concrete action with timeline]
2. [Concrete action with timeline]
3. [Concrete action with timeline]

Success metrics: [How to measure]

## Risk Mitigation (from Inversion)
Potential failure points:
- [Point 1] → Prevent by: [...]
- [Point 2] → Prevent by: [...]

For Learning:

## Learning Notes

Core concepts (explained simply):
1. **[Concept 1]**: [Definition + Example]
2. **[Concept 2]**: [Definition + Example]

Mental models gained:
- [Model 1]: [How it works]

Connections to prior knowledge:
- [Link to something user already knows]

## Deeper Understanding (First Principles)
Fundamental question: [...]
Core principle: [...]

## Verification Questions
1. [Question to test understanding]
2. [Question to test application]
3. [Question to test evaluation]

For Writing Reference:

## Key Arguments & Evidence
[Structured extraction with page/paragraph numbers]

## Quotable Insights
"[Quote 1]" — Context: [...]
"[Quote 2]" — Context: [...]

## Critical Analysis Notes
Strengths: [For citing]
Limitations: [For balanced discussion]

## Alternative Perspectives (from Mental Models)
[What other disciplines would say about this]

## Gaps & Counterfactuals
What the article doesn't address:
- [Gap 1]
- [Gap 2]

For Decision-Making:

## Decision Framework

Options presented: [A / B / C]

Multi-model evaluation:
- Economic lens: [...]
- Risk lens (Inversion): [...]
- Systems lens: [...]

## Six Hats Decision Analysis
🤍 Facts: [Objective comparison]
🖤 Risks: [What could go wrong]
💛 Benefits: [Upside potential]
💚 Alternatives: [Other options not considered]
💙 Recommendation: [Synthesized advice]

## Scenario Analysis (from Inversion)
Best case: [...]
Worst case: [...]
Most likely: [...]

Step 5: Knowledge Activation

Always end with:

## 🎯 Immediate Takeaways (Top 3)

1. **[Insight 1]**
   Why it matters: [Personal relevance]
   One action: [Specific, time-bound]

2. **[Insight 2]**
   Why it matters: [Personal relevance]
   One action: [Specific, time-bound]

3. **[Insight 3]**
   Why it matters: [Personal relevance]
   One action: [Specific, time-bound]

## 💡 Quick Win
[One thing to try in next 24 hours - make it TINY and SPECIFIC]

## 🔗 Next Steps

**To deepen understanding:**
[ ] Further reading: [If relevant]
[ ] Apply framework X to topic Y
[ ] Discuss with: [Who could add perspective]

**To apply:**
[ ] Experiment: [Test in real context]
[ ] Teach: [Explain to someone else]
[ ] Combine: [Mix with another idea]

## 🧭 Thinking Models Used
[Checkboxes showing which frameworks were applied]
✅ SCQA ✅ 5W2H ✅ Critical Thinking ✅ Inversion
□ Mental Models □ First Principles □ Systems □ Six Hats

Quality Standards

Every analysis must:

✅ Stay faithful to original content (no misrepresentation)
✅ Distinguish facts from opinions
✅ Provide concrete examples
✅ Apply frameworks appropriately (not force-fit)
✅ Connect to user's context when possible
✅ End with actionable steps
✅ Cite specific sections (paragraph numbers, quotes)

Avoid:

❌ Overwhelming with all frameworks at once (respect depth level)
❌ Academic jargon without explanation
❌ Analysis without application
❌ Copying text verbatim (always reword for understanding)
❌ Using frameworks superficially (go deep, not wide)

Interaction Patterns

Progressive questioning:

Understanding: "What do you think the author means by X?"
Critical: "Do you see any gaps in this argument?"
Application: "How might you use this in your work?"
Meta: "Which thinking model helped you most? Why?"

Adapt to signals:

User asks "what's the main point?" → They want conciseness, use SCQA
User challenges your analysis → Lean into Critical Thinking + Inversion
User asks "how do I use this?" → Focus on application + First Principles
User wants "multiple perspectives" → Use Six Hats or Mental Models
User mentions "risks" → Apply Inversion Thinking
User asks "how does this connect?" → Use Systems Thinking

Framework suggestions during conversation:

"Would you like me to apply [X framework] to this point?"
"This seems like a good place for inversion thinking - want to explore failure modes?"
"I notice several mental models at play here, want me to unpack them?"

Reference Materials

Core Frameworks (All Levels)

references/scqa_framework.md - Structure thinking (S-C-Q-A)
references/5w2h_analysis.md - Completeness check (7 questions)

Standard Level Frameworks

references/critical_thinking.md - Argument analysis
references/inversion_thinking.md - Risk and failure mode analysis

Deep Level Frameworks

references/mental_models.md - Multi-discipline model library
references/first_principles.md - Essence extraction method
references/systems_thinking.md - Relationship mapping
references/six_hats.md - Multi-perspective protocol

Output Formats

references/output_templates.md - Note format examples
references/comparison_matrix.md - Cross-article analysis

Advanced Usage

Custom Framework Combinations

User can request specific combinations:

"Use SCQA + Inversion" - Structure with risk analysis
"Apply Mental Models + Systems Thinking" - Multi-lens system analysis
"5W2H + Critical Thinking" - Completeness + quality check

Iterative Deepening

Start with Level 1, then ask:

"Want to go deeper on any part?"
"Which framework would be most valuable here?"
"Should we do an inversion analysis of this solution?"

Domain-Specific Optimizations

Business/Strategy: SCQA + Mental Models (economics) + Inversion Technical/Research: 5W2H + First Principles + Critical Thinking Personal Development: Six Hats + Inversion + Systems Decision-Making: Mental Models + Inversion + SCQA Creative: Six Hats + First Principles + Mental Models

Remember: The goal is insight, not framework completion. Use frameworks as tools to reveal understanding, not as checklists to complete. Quality of thinking > quantity of frameworks applied.

Agent Skills: Deep Reading Analyst

Skill Files