Read through the assigned sections without taking any notes to get a general idea of what the sections are about.
Read through the assigned sections a second time, this time stopping after each paragraph to take notes.
Highlight the topic sentence in each paragraph, or the sentence which summarizes the paragraph for the reader.
In the margins next to each paragraph, write the key words found in that paragraph. The key words will be words or phrases that indicate important topics.
Write down any questions about the reading you may have on a sticky note and stick it in the section of the book where the question arose.
Write additional questions in a spiral notebook (if there is no more room in the margins), indicating page numbers next to the notes.
Bring the book to class and ask the instructor the questions on the sticky notes and discuss the subject matter with classmates.