A study of the important facts of Burns's life.
His interest in Burns.
Circumstances of writing this essay.
The assumption of the author with reference to the knowledge of his audience.
II. First Reading
An outline like the following will be helpful in getting the thought with the first reading:
| The purpose of biography | pp. | 55-60 |
| General estimate of Burns | pp. | 60-66 |
| Burns as a literary man | pp. | 66-98 |
| Burns as a man | pp. | 99-134 |
| A plea for breadth and generosity in our estimate of the man | pp. | 134-136 |
III. Second Reading
It is so difficult for students to gain a mastery of the thought that the second reading must be slowly and carefully done.