Read actively, not passively
Ask what the author is doing, not just what is happening
Look for patterns, symbols, and repeated images
Pay attention to titles, openings, and endings
Notice references to myths, religion, history, and literature
Identify the setting, season, weather, and geography
Watch for meals, journeys, and rituals
Consider character names and their possible meanings
Examine dialogue for subtext and hidden motives
Track conflicts, contrasts, and parallels
Look for irony, ambiguity, and contradiction
Pay attention to point of view and narration
Notice when something seems ordinary but feels important
Ask how the text connects to larger themes
Compare the work to others you have read
Read with curiosity and skepticism
Revisit important passages more than once
Think about why the author made each choice
Consider how form and structure shape meaning
Look for what is left unsaid