Technique: Ensure that you have a clear purpose in mind, Use scanning to find the main theme and structural elements. Take note of any questions that occurred to you during your reading and read the text a 2nd time very carefully . Read the text once more and try to identify the genre, structure, narrative, theme, tone, argument, figures of speech, rhetorical questions, figurative meaning, and how the text makes you feel. Lastly try to test your understanding by means of a summary or discussion with friends.