1. Skim the text: Read the title, headings, subheadings, and first few sentences of each paragraph to get an overview of the main topics and ideas.
2. Identify the main points: Look for sentences or phrases that express the author's main ideas or arguments. Highlight or jot down key ideas.
3. Pay attention to repetition: If the author repeats certain words or phrases, they might be central to the text's meaning.
4. Consider the author's purpose: What is the author trying to achieve with their writing? Understanding the author's goals can help you identify the central ideas.
5. Look for connections: Identify how the author's ideas are connected and build upon each other.
6. Summarize: After reading, summarize the text in your own words. This will help you identify the central ideas and understand the text's meaning more deeply.