In this case, the instructors' preface introduces the pedagogy, or teaching method and objectives, underlying the book content and offers information about supplemental texts and approaches to the textbook. The student preface, which will be of interest to you, explains the book design and features as well as skills that can be learned in various sections of the book. Read the Introduction. Along with revealing the central idea, or thesis, of the book, the introduction provides an explanation of the book's focus and significant background information about the overall subject. For instance, a book of literary criticism will often explain why the literature addressed in the book is significant, who the author is and how he or she lived, and what approach to the literature will be taken in the book.
Introductions also reveal the relationships between and focuses within the book chapters.
You can use the book's introduction as a guide for reading. If you own the book, annotate the paragraphs of the introduction, marking the thesis of the book, biographical and other background information, and important themes and topics to be addressed in later chapters. If the book belongs to the library, consider making an outline or notes of important introductory material. Refer back to your annotated introduction or notes as you begin to read each chapter of the book, noting what the author has indicated about the chapter's focus and significance. If the book is difficult, consider reading the conclusion next.