How to Fasten Our Reading

Speed Reading: Your Questions Answered

As adults we have great demands put upon our time. There is work, families and social activities that take out huge portions of our waking hours. It is no surprise that many adults, outside of an academic situation, find that they do not have any time to read. Many adults would list reading as a frivolous activity in which they have no inclination due to the amount of time it takes them to get through a single book.

Even students feel the pressure of time as they are faced with tons of homework and required reading. How can there be enough time to study, work and live? Some people have found the answer through speed reading. If you are lucky enough to be gifted with this amazing talent, then it is certain other people have commented on how quickly you are able to consume reading material. If you are unfamiliar with this technique, this article is for you. It will answer some of the common questions about speed reading and hopefully set you on the path to picking up a good book to read.

What is speed reading?

Speed reading is the act of quickly absorbing written information. The goal is to read quickly but still retain comprehension of the material. The rate at which people read material is not a constant and varies greatly depending on several factors. Some material, such as school work or manuals, may require more contemplation and fewer distractions in order to process and still understand what is being conveyed. Being able to read ten books in a single day is useless if the reader is unable to retain comprehension of the material

How do people speed read?

There are a few different methods that some speed readers use in order to increase their reading speed. It is important to note that most speed readers use a variety of methods. Some simply skim the words and the information is simple there. You can think of it in terms of a computer scanner. You lay the book or sheet of paper on the scanner. The image is then sent via a connection to your computer where you process the information.

What types of methods are used in speed reading?

Some of the different methods used in speed reading are chunking, skimming, and eliminating sub-vocalization. Readers will not "read" the words aloud in their minds. Their eyes skim through the material and comprehension is formed within the brain processes. Most speed readers use a variety of methods to increase their speed and comprehension level.

A speed reader may not read every word on the page. They may skip some sections as it as little overall consequence to the meaning. Most people can read a selection much faster if they read silently. Reading each word aloud takes time for the information to make a complete circuit in your brain before being pronounced. Some researchers believe that as long as the first and last letter is in place, the arrangement of the other letters in the word can still be understood by the brain because it logically puts each piece into place.

Do they fully comprehend the material?

Speed reading does absolutely no good if the material is not remembered. That is one thing all software and instructional methods have in common. There must be at least 50% comprehension rate of the read material. Anything less is considered a failure. The goal is to read quickly yet still understand what the material and author is presenting. Even slow readers face this problem. Many learning disabilities involve reading without overall comprehension of the material.

How is speed reading measured?

Speed reading is measured by timing the reader as he or she reads through a selection of material. After the time is up the reader will be tested on his or her overall comprehension of the material. If they make less than 50% of the questions then that test is considered a failure. Speed reading is difficult to test because a large part of the comprehension depends on the reader's interest. A text book may be difficult to quickly read as there is strange terminology or a lack of interest on the participants' behalf.

What is the speed of an average reader?

The average reader may be able to read around two words per second. Now, to get that average and determine the true accuracy of the reading, the test must take into consideration the reading material. Other factors include the testing atmosphere, the comfort of the reader and the overall comprehension abilities of the reader. Opponents of speed reading programs believe that there is not a high enough comprehension rate if the reader does not thoroughly understand the material so test results can be skewed due to this factor.

Are there any records for speed reading?

The World Championship Speed Reading competition says that its top competitors average around 1000 to 2000 words a minute. The comprehension level must be at least fifty percent in order to qualify. Though a contestant may read through the material at a rate of 5000 words a minute, if they are not able to comprehend the material or recall pertinent facts, the test is considered a failure.

Is there a way to learn how to speed read?

Not everyone can speed read. There are no tried and true methods that work for everyone. The best way to learn how to speed read is to practice and study the different methods that speed readers employ. You may be able to learn how to skim through the material for key words and phrases. You can also try to learn how to read the material without silently pronouncing each word in your mind.

How do the software programs work?

Some software programs boast that their methodologies can double a person's rate of reading and comprehension. Most programs utilize different methods of reading such as chunking or skimming the text. It teaches the reader how to identify key words and to skip unimportant words such as "and" in order to increase their reading speed.

Are there any tips to help me learn how to speed read?

The best tip anyone can have is to practice. There is some reading material that is almost impossible to speed read. Text books and dry facts may not get your attention and as such your mind will wander. In order to appreciate speed reading a person must be engaged in the material and want to know more. If you find yourself constantly having to re-read the same paragraph, you may want to switch to reading material that grabs your attention.

I've tried learning how to speed read and I just cannot seem to do it or remember the material. Are some people just gifted with this talent?

There may be several factors working against your desire to learn how to speed read. The first may be that you do not have enough practice or there are too many distractions for you to concentrate. If you do not love to read, no amount of software can make the task easier for you. Some people have a natural affinity for reading and will do better with it than others. It should never be about how fast you can read. It should be about how much information you retain and whether or not you enjoy reading.

Top 10 Speed Reading Comprehension Tips

1. Clarify your purpose. A good understanding of what you already know and what you need out of the reading is the key to reading comprehension.

2. Look at the front book cover. What information is the author giving you about the story? What does the title suggest? Why did she use this particular graphic on the cover?

3. Read familiar material. When you first learn to Speed Read, use books and articles on subjects you have some familiarity with or subjects you have come across before but havent reviewed recently. Later on, you can challenge yourself with new material.

4. Make Predications. Can you make any predictions about the story with the information youve already gathered?

5. What have the experts said about the book or author? Look at the back cover. What are the comments being made by critics whove read the book? What other clues can you pick up?

6. Read the Table of Contents. Its an outline of the book.

7. Make sure you review the glossary. If there are any terms that are unfamiliar to you memorize them.

8. Read the Introduction or Preface. It gives you a good idea of where the author wants to take you.

9. Preview the book to make sure its what you are looking for. Scan the headings and subheadings.

10. Read the topic sentences. Remember that the first and last sentences of a paragraph give you the essence of that paragraph, especially when reading non-fiction.

Magda Santos is an author, researcher, and learning specialist with over 24 years of experience teaching reading. FMI Visit http://speed-read-now.com and subscribe to a Free 5 Day Speed Reading Course we also like