Speed Reading

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Develop the ability to concentrate on reading process

Academic reading can be very demanding. The concepts are often difficult to understand, and the writing style is usually formal. Initially you might find that you need frequent breaks. It is more productive to take a short break and return to your reading, than to spend hours staring at a text hoping that eventually physical contact will transfer the words to the brain.

Always give yourself a reason to read, and ask yourself, “Why am I reading this?”

Survey the text before reading

Move your eyes quickly over the page in order to read:

• The title
• Headings and sub-headings
• Introduction and abstract
• Boldfaced print, italics and underlined
•  First sentences of each paragraph, or section
• Graphs, charts, maps, tables…
• Summary
• Study questions
  

Always read with a purpose 

Unless you have a purpose it is easy for the mind to drift to thoughts more interesting text. Write down specific topics and seek information relevant to those topics. You can turn the title and headings into questions, which you answer while reading. Read to answer any available study questions. Try to explain any graphics or pictures.

Use self monitor while reading

After two or four paragraphs stop and think whether or not you understand the text. You might need to read again the text in order to:

• mark the words or terms you didn’t understand,
• find main or specific points
• find some key words,
• and isolate supporting evidence
  

Persons the text 

When you put what you are reading into your own words or relate the ideas to your study and interests you are being an active learner. You can write notes on the page and underline important terms. 

Reflect the text

This is an important step in your learning because you are actively thinking about what you are learning and what else you need to know. At the end of  your reading recall the key concepts. You can show how these ideas are connected - try making a diagram or a picture, or use lines.

Speed reading techniques

• There is little relationship between rate and comprehension
• Active reading with pen
• Vocalization and speed reading
• Speed reading (flash mode)
• Reducing skipping back

Remember these two things and enhance your reading speed:

• Make sure your text is fairly easy for you. You should know something about the subject matter and have no major problems with the vocabulary, style, or ideas. Don't expect to read Scientific American or Spinoza's philosophy rapidly and with full comprehension the first time through, unless you are a scientist or philosopher.
   
• Make sure your purpose for reading. Do you need to memorize the contents of the material? Discuss it in detail? Savor the style? Are you aiming at 100 percent understanding of new, difficult principles, as when you study-read a textbook? If so, don't expect a fast, once-through reading to be sufficient. Your purpose should not be study or analysis (although a single rapid reading prior to study or analysis is often very useful). Your purpose when you decide to rapid read should be general information and enjoyment.