One of the most basic things that many students fail to do before they embark on a reading project is prepare. Preparing to read can involve a number of tasks that can get your mind ready and receptive to the information that you obtain from the reading material. This is especially true when reading longer books like a textbook or a nonfiction history book. Rather than jumping right into the words on the first page, preview the entire book. Read the jacket cover if there is one; it will provide you with an overview of what the book will be about. Also, if there is a foreword or introduction, read it as well for the same purpose. Examine the index, looking for important terms and concepts; these will have multiple references throughout the text. Also skim the chapters to see how they are structured and pay attention to subheadings. These will also tell you what the book is about.
Another important technique for improving reading speed and efficiency is to simply read more often. Reading often can improve the ability of your brain to assimilate larger and larger blocks of information at a time. Many speed-reading courses are based on the idea that you need to exercise your brain "muscles" in order to become a better reader. Once you have made the determination to be a better reader, practice often.
Skimming and dipping are two techniques that you can use to increase both speed and efficiency in conjunction with previewing the book beforehand. Reading a book word-for-word is an inefficient method for reading. Instead, skimming through a book or article several times will not only save you time, but also can improve comprehension if you have previewed properly. Previewing prepares your mind to slow down at critical junctures in the text. Skimming through the text moves you quickly through the material, but dipping involves slowing down when you come across important material or concepts you may have encountered during your preview. If you are reading material for the purpose of taking a test, you may also wish to slow down and jot down a few notes to jog your memory later.