For starters, consider this question:  How do you eat an elephant?  Well, of course, you probably don't, but if you did you might eat it one bite at a time to simplify the challenge. This same approach will work for reading. 

Now consider this (sort of) syllogism:

A paragraph is a group of sentences which focuses on one idea, one point in time, one image.
Books, essays, articles are written in paragraphs.
Each paragraph in a book, essay, or article focuses on one main idea, one point in time, one image.

1.  Read in a location where you're comfortable, a place with few distractions.

2.  Before you even start to read, skim the chapter.  Look at highlighted words or section titles. 
     Familiarize yourself with unfamiliar words even if you don't understand what they mean yet, 
     so that when you hear your professor mention them in class, you'll have a mental image of
     the word. 

3.  If there's an introduction, read it.  Remember, the introduction is the author's way of telling 
     you what you will be reading. If there's a conclusion, read that too.  That's the author's way 
     of telling you what you've already read and emphasizing the critical points.

4.  Read any questions at the end of a section.  Keep them in mind as you read through the text. 
     If there aren't questions, turn chapter titles or sub-headings into questions.

5.  Interact with the text.  After each paragraph stop and ask yourself what the one main idea, one 
     point in time, one image is in that paragraph.  If there's a topic sentence, circle the topic word.

6.  In the margin, write down the paragraph's purpose.  If its purpose is to define a word or a process, 
     write that information in the margin.  If it's an example, note that in the margin.  For example, if you're 
     reading a science text and the first paragraph defines photosynthesis, in the margin, write "definition 
photosyn." If the following paragraphs enumerate the steps in the process, keep reading paragraphs 
     until you come to the end of the process, draw a line down the side of the margin and next to the line 
     write the number of steps and the name of the process; e.g., "5 steps photosyn.

7.  After writing your marginal note, circle or highlight key words (not entire sentences) which you would 
     need to know if you were to answer a question about the paragraphs topic. 

8.  Stop reading if your mind starts to wander.  Studies suggest that most people can't read difficult or
     new material for more than an hour without shutting down, so take a short break after an hour or so.
     Eat a piece of fruit or take a short walk, but don't get involved with a television show or phone 
     conversation!

9.  When you return to your reading, review the marginal notes you've already made.

10. Continue reading and taking marginal notes.

11. Periodically review your text.  Cover the paragraph and see if you can identify or give details about 
      the notes you've written in the margin.  Or cover the marginal notes and look at the underlined/circled 
      words and see if you can paraphrase the paragraph's purpose using these words in your own sentence.
      (These marginal notes, or marginalia, can easily be come portable.  Put each note on a separate
       index card with the response on the reverse side.  Take them out and test yourself when you
       have some time; e.g., standing in line at the supermarket, or waiting to buy movie tickets.)

12. As you begin each new section, or chapter, skim your marginal notes from the previous chapter
      to anticipate what will come next. Ask yourself what the connection between what you've read 
      and what you will be reading might be. Then after you've read the new material, consider whether 
      your assumptions were correct or not.