Techniques to reading faster

In a recent post, I wrote about conquering slow reading before speed reading. The post was based on my learning from speed reading class. Today, I will be sharing the main section of my learnings from that class; techniques that aid speed reading.

What is speed reading?

Speed Reading is a technique that teaches people to read faster and comprehend a lot more written information in a shorter time. The technique focuses on not only increasing the number of words read per minute but also maintaining a certain comprehension level to absorb information faster.

On average, an adult can read somewhere between 200 to 300 words per minute. With speed reading skills, an adult can read much faster—around 1500 words per minute. As impossible as that sounds, believe when I say it is true.

Why speed reading?

The main purpose of speed reading is to increase a person’s ability to absorb and comprehend written information fast, and later be able to recall it. In other words, speed reading makes it easier to read more efficiently. This skill saves a lot of of time without sacrificing information.

The faster we read, the more information absorbed, and the better decisions we make. 

During speed reading one exercises the brain to function on a higher level. These better performances include:

• an improved memory,
• better focus abilities,
• higher levels of self-confidence,
• improved logic and critical thinking, and  
• emotional well-being.

Techniques to speed reading

Reading engages the eyes, ears, mouth, and brain. Speed reading engages these senses even more than normal reading because the senses and brain power are used more efficiently. There are different techniques that can be used to master this skill.

1. The Pointer and tracker Method

This is the visual guiding of the eye using a finger or pointer, such as a pen, in order for the eye to move faster along the length of a passage of text. It involves drawing invisible shapes on a page of text in order to broaden the visual span for speed reading. It is also called Meta guiding.

2. Perceptual Expansion

Generally, a reader focuses on one word at a time. This technique, on the other hand, encourages the brain to read a chunk of words together. In doing so, this method increases the reader’s peripheral vision. In this technique, even though the fixation time remains the same with perceptual expansion, the number of words that the eyes fixate on increases. Basically, the brain receives 5 times more information within the same amount of time.

3. Read forward only

Avoid involuntary back-skipping movements of the eyes and repeated reading of the same text. Repeated review of each portion of text noticeably reduces the speed of reading.

4. Power browse

• Look at each page briefly and turn to the next page: what are the divisions, chapters? Are there summaries, graphs, key points, what looks interesting?
• Insert your bookmarks wherever you may want to explore later
• Gauge your time. Keep to the 10 minute limit. Finish the whole book.
• When finished, take notes of any main points, or make a Mind Map
• Share what you have discovered about the book.

Scheduling the best time to read and working on our motivation are other techniques that help to read fast.