When commencing and during Tilaawat:

1. The Niyyat (intention) for the recital of the Qur'aan must be solely for the purpose of gaining Allah's pleasure and to obtain His favour.
2. Read Ta'awwuz (A'oozu Billahi minash shaytaanir rajeem) and Tasmiyyah(Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem) when commencing recitation.
3. Recite the Qur'aan with complete attention and humbleness and in a befitting manner, as if you are reading in response to Allah's command, and also that you are in His presence and that He is listening to your recital.
4. Do not recite in an extremely loud or very low voice. Keep your voice at a medium pitch.  Allah ordains: "Be not loud voiced in your prayer nor too low voiced but follow a way between."  When one is alone it is better to recite aloud. However if one is reading in a Masjid or where others are occupied in their Ibaadat, or there is fear of showing off, then it is best to recite softly. Recite in a melodious voice because this has been emphasised in many Ahaadith. Do not sing the verses or imitate the manner and style of the non-Muslims for this is totally forbidden.
5. As far as possible recite the Qur'an in a clear and distinct manner and read the letters correctly and utter the syllables in proper style (tajweed) and recite slowly. The Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) observed: "Use your voice and style to recite the Glorious Qur'an in the best manner." [Abu Dawud]. Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to recite each word in a clear and distinct manner and read each ayat separately. Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) affirmed: "He who recites the Glorious Qur'an will be told on the Day of Judgement: Recite the Glorious Qur'an now in the same clear and distinct manner and in the same harmonious style in which you used to recite it with care and propriety in the world and as a reward for the recitation of each verse you shall be elevated one degree higher and your ultimate place is near the end of the final verse." [At-Tirmithi]  
6. It is Waajib (compulsory) to recite the Qur'aan Kareem correctly. Do not recite with haste but make an effort to read with Tarteel (fluency) and with Tajweed (according to the rules of recitation). 
7. Feel the impact of the verses during the recitation of the Glorious Qur'an. Rejoice and feel happy on reading about the narrations of Divine Mercy, Forgiveness and the Everlasting bounties of Paradise. And on reading about the narrations of the wrath, anger, and the terrific punishments of Hell, your body should tremble, eyes should flow with tears, and the heart should melt with the sentiments of repentence and shame. Your face should glow with the light of happiness on reading about the successes of the pious and faithful people and you should be seized with deep sorrow on reading about the destruction of nations. The study of ayats containing warnings and forebodings or torments should make you tremble and your soul should be filled to the brim with the sentiments of gratitude on reading the verses which bear glad tidings. When reciting with comprehension, then upon an Aayat describing mercy, ask for Allah's mercy and when reading an Aayat in which punishment is depicted then beseech Allah to save one from such punishment. On an Aayat pertaining to Allah's Glory and Sanctity one should say Sub'haanallah. 
8. An effort must be made to understand the Qur'aan and where one is not conversant with the Arabic language one should endeavour to understand the meanings of Aayaat from the Ulama or from authentic translations. The Ahaadith of Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) strictly prohibit the translation and interpretation of the Qur'aan to suit one's own views, more especially so, when one is not fully aquainted with all the related sciences of the Qur'aan.
9. Try to shed tears while reciting even if one has to compel oneself to do so.
10. One must not talk during the Tilaawat of the Qur'aan. If an important matter has to be discussed with anyone then the recital should be stopped and the Qur'aan closed. If one desires to continue reading thereafter then read the Ta'awwuz (A'oozu billahi minash Shaytaanir rajeem), and Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem, and then continue from where one had stopped.
11. It is reported in the Hadith that whoever has recited the Qur'aan and thereafter praised Allah and conveyed blessings upon Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and asked for forgiveness from one's Sustainer, then surely he has asked for goodness from its very source.
12. Do not place any other book, kitaab or object (hat, cap, turban, or spectacles etc.), on the Qur'aan during or after recital.
13. Do not turn your back towards the Qur'aan during or after recital, and do not sit with the Qur'aan in such a position that it faces someone else's back.
14. If one feels tired and begins to yawn while reading the Qur'aan, then the recitation should be terminated and only continued after having rested or yawned.
15. Do not sit on a place which is higher than the Qur'aan when the Qur'aan is within sight. Do not sleep with your feet towards the Qur'aan.
16. After terminating the recital, place the Qur'aan respectfully on a high shelf, or any other safe place.
17. It is sinful to carelessly discard torn or worn pages of the Qur'aan. Do not throw them in the waste basket or bin. Usable pages must be carefully put into a Taahir-Paak (clean) wrapper and buried in a clean place.
18. Besides the Qur'aan, other pieces of paper or things with the names of Allah and Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) must not be shown disrespect by being carelessly discarded at places where these would be trampled upon.
19. After reciting the Qur'an offer any duaa. The words of one of the prayers offered by Hadrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) are as follows: "Allahummaarzuqnit-tafakkura wat-tadabbura bimaa yat-loohu lisaani min kitaabika wal-fahma lahoo. Wal-ma'rifata bima 'aa-neehi wan-nazara fee 'ajaa 'ibihi wal-'amala bidhalika maa baqeetu innaka 'alaa kulli shay 'in qadeer."  ( "O Allah! Whatever my tongue recites from Thy Kitab, grant me in favor to reflect upon it. Allah! bestow upon me the understanding of it. Vouchsafe to me the knowledge of its meaning, and spirit, and the vision to see its niceties. Grant me the favour to act according to its injunctions as long as I live. Your Being is without doubt Omnipotent.")