Learn what you can about the text before reading it. Texts can often contain what is called paratextual material. This is material that is outside the main body of text. Paratextual material can help you to get a sense of what the text is about and how it is organised. So, be sure to carefully consider the following types of features: the front and back covers of a text, the title of the text, the table of contents the editor's instructions and/or preface, any images, diagrams, subtitles or footnotes. And, don't forget to skim through the text to see how it looks.

Think about and investigate the historical, social, cultural and or literary context in which the text was composed. Usually the texts you read in English or History were written in the past, so they come from a very different time or place to our own. By contrast, a scientific report, a recent government report, a newspaper article, or economic forecast is more likely to have been produced in our present context. In any capse , to really get to grips with a text, you need a good understanding of the characteristics of the time and place in which it was produced, and the values and attitudes of this time and place.

Make notes in the margins. Use post-it notes if it is a novel you don't own (or use pencil and help future generations of students who borrow it after you). This will help you remain active when reading. Note what the text is about and what you think the main idea, theme, or argument of the text is. Jot down any ideas you have as you are reading, including anything you find challenging. Be sure to circle or highlight the words you need to look up.

Interrogate the text. Write down any questions you have and seek  clarification with your teacher. To make this a habit, it is a good idea to generate  3 questions at the end of your reading. This could be at the end of an article,  source, section of your textbook, the conclusion of a chapter of a novel, a scene  of a play or film, the end of a poem, or at the end of a paragraph (for short stories,  essays, speeches, articles, or other short prose fiction and nonfiction). 

Examine your own personal response to the text. Reading often  challenges our beliefs, attitudes, values, and assumptions. It is important to be  aware of when a text is doing this, and to reflect on how the text might influence  and change us. So, be sure to mark any places in the text where you feel you are  being challenged. Use an 'X', and make a brief note about how you feel. Once you  have done this look back over at the places marked with an 'X'. What patterns can  you identify? Do you find that the text has changed your thinking? If so, in what  ways? 

Judge the worth or value of the text. To help you do this, make notes in  response to some or all of the following questions: What contribution does the text  make to its particular discipline? How useful is it to improving our understanding  of the subject matter? How reliable is the information presented? Why is this text worthy of our critical attention?