When you do start to read it will be much more focused. Write the main areas of your essay in the centre of a large sheet of paper. Brainstorm ideas connected with them, drawing lines to show how they connect and annotating the connecting lines. Reading - because you will be clearer about what you need to find out from the texts you will have saved a considerable amount of time making your reading much more effective. Don't spend too long reading, make sure you allow time for writing the essay.
People probably learn as much from the process of writing as they do from reading.
This is an essay which begins with a 'thesis statement'. This is then followed by evidence for and against the stated argument. This is then followed by arguments for and against, revealing your position at the end.