To do the exercises, you will need practice materials to work with.

Use a variety of sources. Any of these are good choices:

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      A newspaper (some news).
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      A magazine article (some non-news).
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      A non-fiction book.
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      Any fiction book - third person narrative selection
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      Any fiction book - dialogue selection

Don't pick advertising literature. Those already have meaning-laden words.

Start with things you've read before and pick from a broad range of writing styles. If you pick something you haven't read yet, go over it quickly (silent reading) so you know what it is about.

How about using your own book? You could, but it is best if you don't. Many of these exercises require that you intentionally read the selections “wrong.” That will be harder to do if you are narrating from you own book.

Once you have picked the books and articles you are going to use, put them on the table, and select some passages, each at least paragraph long (Three sentences minimum). It is best if you pick selections that are mid-story. Don't pick introductory paragraphs or climactic passages. Pick some very neutral paragraphs.

Put a book mark in each where you are going to narrate. Stay with these selections and resist the urge to change your choices after you have started the exercises.

Next, find a place where you won't be self-conscious about talking out loud to yourself for about a half-hour. If there are other people around, tell them what you are doing, and ask for privacy. You want a generally quiet environment, where your voice will sound normal, but you don't need recording studio conditions. Listen to the sounds in the room and turn off anything you can (the tv, radio, cd player, fans and air conditioners). Close the doors and windows. Sounds reflect off hard surfaces: avoid practicing in the bathroom.