Speed Reading Techniques

Speed reading is a method that helps to improve the ability to read faster and apprehend better. There are many speed reading methods used by different people to improve their reading speed. Speed reading is a great skill that makes an individual knowledgeable and more efficient. Here are a few useful techniques for speed reading. 

Reading Myths

  • Reading is linear: Reading is not a linear process and it is not possible to control the mind of a reader.
  • True reading is word-for-word: This is not true. Improving the reading speed mainly focuses on increasing the ability to grasp and read groups of words.
  • Reading is a laborious task which takes a long time: This is not true. Reading is an exciting task and it can be amusing and fast.
  • All parts of the books are of equal value: This is not true. All parts of the book do not have good information, and even sometimes it is filled with filler illustrations and materials as the publisher wanted the authors to include the filler stuffs.
  •  Reading faster will reduce retention: This is not true. Speed reading methods actually help to increase the retention and comprehension of an individual.

Getting Ready to Read

  • Eliminate all distractions: This is the first important action one must do in order to read faster. Distractions reduce the concentration on reading, and therefore it should be eliminated.
  • Ask: What is my purpose? The actual purpose of reading a book should be determined and this largely helps in reading the book faster.
  • Do a ten minute pre-read: Spend ten minutes to pre-read the full book. Read cover reviews, author blurb, and table of contents to get an idea about the book, then go through the full book, page by page, and glimpse through the summaries, quotes, tables, and figures to get a rough idea about the book.
  • Read the key chapters: A ten minutes pre-read helps to locate the key chapters of a book. Read the key chapters to get the central idea about the book before reading the entire book.

Rapid Reading Techniques

  • Raise your speed/comfort level: To Increase the reading speed, focus on reading and increase the comfort level in reading.
  • Quit subvocalizing: Stop the mouth-and-ear method and follow the eye-and-mind technique more to increase the reading speed.
  • Use your finger: This is the useful method for beginners, and this method helps to avoid back-skipping.
  • Break the back-skip habit: The habit of back-skipping need to be stopped. This can be done by treating the book as a movie, and let it move on through.
  • Use your peripheral vision: This method trains the brain and eyes to read the content from both sides of a line. This can be practiced by drawing an invisible line down pages of a book.
  • Learn to read keywords: Cultivate the mind in finding keywords on a page to improve the reading speed. Most of the words on a page are not critical and the keywords are enough to figure out the meaning of a paragraph.
  • Eliminate eye rests: Reduce the eye rests on a word and instead try to read smoothly, line after line.
  • Take breaks: Always take a five minutes break every hour to improve the reading speed. This works more efficiently than the steady reading.
  • Set a time goal: Set a time goal for reading a book. Focus on the goal and achieve it by reading the book with excitement.

Retention Techniques

  • Underline, Circle, and Make margin notes: Mark important words on a page. This makes page recall easier.
  • Dog-ear important pages: Fold over the important and worthy pages to recall for future reference.
  • Transfer key notes to front of book: Write down the central message of a book in front of the book. Link the key message to any best known information to make recall easier.
  • When finished, re-read dog-eared pages: After you finish reading the entire book, re-read the pages you have marked in order to get clear understanding of the book.
  • Write an abstract in the back or front: After reading the entire book, write a simple summary about the key concept of a book in front or back of the book.
  • Consider drawing a “MindMap” of the contents: A mind map is an excellent way to picture the full book in a single page. It is usually easier to recall ideas and figures from the book, not the words.

Here are few resources on speed reading techniques: