If the author is trying to present a particular point of view, ask yourself if the justifies the position. Convert topic headings into questions or create questions of your own. Try to answer the questions printed at the beginning or end of the chapter if any are provided. Reading means more than just saying the words. Reading is a thinking process.
Comprehension is vital.
A passage with a great many ideas cannot be read rapidly. If you have read a passage several times and it still doesn't make sense, try reading it aloud. Read one section at a time alternating the reading step with the reciting step, which follows. Make sure you understand each section before proceeding. If comprehension of the material is difficult, try reading paragraph by paragraph or even sentence by sentence until comprehension is achieved.