SPEED READING AND UNDERSTANDING MORE

Celil BEKTAŞ

SPEED READING AND UNDERSTANDING MORE

WHAT IS SPEED READING? THE HISTORY OF SPEED READING TERMS OF SPEED READING HOW DO YOU RATE? SPEED READING TECHNIQUES

WHAT IS SPEED READING?

Speed reading is a series of reading methods which increase reading speed and comprehension.

The faster you read, the more you understand!

THE HISTORY OF THE SPEED READING

The history of the speed reading begins with the studies of Dr. Samuel Renshaw (1892 – 1981).

He generally worked with fast-reading and enhancing the latent ability of the mind. By using methods of flashing pages he produced students who could read upwards of 1,200 to 1,400 words per minute.

He was an American psychologist whose work became famous for a short period of time during World War II when he taught sailors and pilots to identify enemy aircraft in a split second, using tachistoscopic training.

THE HISTORY OF THE SPEED READING

The Training System for Aircraft and Ship Recognition designed by him saved untold lives during World War II.

Spotting the enemy

TERMS OF SPEED READING Effective training exercises use proven speed reading techniques to

eliminate nasty reading habits. These exercises should include:

Exercises to prevent "eye-slaving" and "subvocalization“.

Paced reading - to train you to read at a set pace to develop reading rhythm and prevent "skip-back".

Speed tests: An effective speed reading program will continuously evaluate your reading speed.

Continuous comprehension testing - if you are training to read quickly you need to know how your comprehension is tracking. Fast reading and comprehension should go hand in hand in a good speed reading program.

HOW DO YOU RATE?

HOW DO YOU RATE? Slow reader: 0 - 150 words per minute. Typically has very poor

comprehension. Many people who read slowly have not "taken" to books and reading. The better you read, the more you "want" to read.

Below average reader: 150 - 230 words per minute. Below average. Often has poor comprehension.

Average reader: 230 - 250 words per minute.

Fast reader: 350 - 500 words per minute. Typically has a high educational level and is a professional, an avid social reader or has participated in an effective speed reading program.

HOW DO YOU RATE?

Excellent reader: 500 - 800 words per minute. High speed reader, who has learned accelerated reading techniques.

Skim reader: >800 words per minute. Studies show that

comprehension drops off sharply at speeds greater than 800 words per minute for almost all readers. Be skeptical if a vendor claims that accurate reading is possible over 800 words per minute.

SPEED READING TECHNIQUES

SPEED READING TECHNIQUE_1: META-GUIDING

This speed reading technique basically entails using a visual guide to increase your focus and, therefore, your reading speed.

The simplest meta-guiding method is by using your hand while you read. By tracing your hand (or a finger or two) across the text in front of you while you read, you will be able to effectively direct your vision and swiftly progress through any reading material.

SPEED READING TECHNIQUES

SPEED READING TECHNIQUE_2: VISUAL SPAN ENLARGEMENT

The more words you can see in a single look, the faster you will be able to read them.

This simple principle has long-reaching speed reading benefits: You read many words simultaneously and avoid bad reading habits like “regression” and “sub-vocalization”.

SPEED READING TECHNIQUE _3: GETTING RID OF REGRESSION AND SUB-VOCALIZATION

The truth is that we have often read it perfectly the first time- going over it again just slows us down. This bad reading practice is called regression and you can throw it off by using a pacer (as discussed in the meta-guiding technique).

Another bad reading habit that slows us down is the practice of sub-vocalization which is the ‘sounding-out’ of words while we read them- whether consciously or unconsciously, silently or audibly.

If it’s hard for you to stop sub-vocalizing, try chewing gum or placing a pencil between your lips while you read- this will stop you from sounding out what you read.

SPEED READING TECHNIQUE_4: VISUALIZATION AND CLUMPING

For instance, if you were to read the phraseI love you

you take all its three words in at the same time. Because the phrase is so familiar and it’s small enough to fit comfortably inside your visual span. Now imagine if you could expand this same ability to even larger blocks of text.

Clearly, the more you are able to see and read at once, the less time you need to understand what is being said.

One of the best speed reading techniques, reading text in clumps (multiple words) increases your reading speed and makes you a visual reader.

The best way to master clumping is by practicing reading increasingly larger blocks of text in a single eye fixation.

SPEED READING TECHNIQUE_5: SKIMMING

Before you start reading any type of material, define your objective.

If the details are not as important as the main points an article makes, you can utilize skimming technique.

‘Skimming’ is the process of quickly going through text, reading the important elements and skipping the relatively unimportant ones.

SPEED READING TECHNIQUE_6: LITTLE CHANGES THAT MAKE BIG DIFFERENCESHere is a selection of some useful tips that can help you greatly in becoming a speed reader:

Try to assume a comfortable position when you start reading. Avoid places with bad smells, insufficient oxygen and loud noises. Get your eyes checked. Visual impairment and other sight diseases can

not only hamper your reading speed but also reduce your enjoyment from the activity.

Get rid of distractions. Reading becomes impossible when your spouse is talking loudly, your children are running around the house and the dogs are barking. Find a quiet corner to settle down and read without disturbances.

ANY QUESTION?