Ladder Home Ladder Overview Reading List Pyramid
Required reading Recommended Reading Appropriate Optional Reading
The required reading at each level is made up of reading that is required to progress to the next level, reading that is recommended, but not necessarily required, and reading that is appropriate for someone especially interested in the topic. We do not expect anyone to perform all of the recommended or optional reading at a level before progressing to the next level, but we do expect people to perform all of the required reading and some of the recommended reading.
RL refers to "reading level" on the following scale:
A - Analytical
I - Inspectional
S - Syntopical
See Steve McConnell's article "How to Read a Technical Article" for more information.