Establish the central theme of the passage and describe that theme in your own words. Establish the basic structure of the passage. If you can, place the author in his times. Now you are ready for more detailed analysis. Think first about the question of genre.
Different genres oblige the reader to pose different kinds of questions.
The question of pattern leads to the question of the form of the passage. In exposition, the author usually elucidates and amplifies an opening statement. The syntax of the sentences usually suggests which mode is more important to the author. An undermining second half generally reveals a dialectical mode of thinking on the author's part. In general, try to relate the form to the content and vice versa.