Active readers have to

highlight
eliminate distractions
paraphrase and summarize

Read the excerpt from the declaration of independence. governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. what is the author’s purpose in this excerpt? to inform readers about different systems of government to inform readers about recent governmental reforms to persuade readers of the need for governmental change to persuade readers to petition their local governments