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One
way to read faster is to read faster. This may sound like double
talk, but it is a serious suggestion. The fact is, most people
can read faster simply by making
a conscious effort to do so. In fact, you probably can read
faster without any loss in comprehension. Your comprehension
might even improve.
Here are some guidelines from the "Just do it" school
of speed reading:
First, get your body ready. Get off the couch. Sit at a desk
or table and sit up, on the edge of your chair, with your feet
flat on the floor. If you're feeling adventurous, read standing
up.
Next, set a time limit. Use a clock or a digital watch with
a built-in stopwatch to time yourself. The objective is not
to set speed records, so be realistic. For example, set a goal
to read a chapter in an hour. If that works, set a goal of 50
minutes to read a similar chapter. Test your limits. The idea
is to give yourself a gentle push, increasing your reading speed
without sacrificing comprehension.
Another hint from the "Just do it" school is relax.
It's not only possible to read fast when you're relaxed, it's
easier. Relaxation promotes concentration.(And remember, relaxation
is not the same thing as sleep.)
Experiment with the "Just do it" method right now.
Read the rest of this article as fast as you can. After you
finish, come back and reread the same paragraphs at your usual
rate. Notice how much you remembered from your first sprint
through. Many people are surprised to find how well they comprehend
material even at dramatically increased speeds.
You can also read faster by moving your eyes faster. When we
read, our eyes leap across the page in short bursts called saccades.
A saccade is also a sharp jerk on the reins of a horse---a
violent pull to stop the animal quickly. Our eyes stop like
that, too, in pauses called fixations.
Although we experience the illusion of continuously scanning
each line, our eyes really take groups of words, usually about
three at a time. For more than 90 percent of reading time, our
eyes are at a dead stop, in those fixations.
Your eyes can move faster if they take in more words with
each burst---six instead of three, for example. Our eyes also
make regressions. That is, they backup and reread words. Ineffective
readers and beginning readers make many regressions.
When you're in a hurry, scan the assignment and read the headings,
subheading, lists, charts, graphs, and summary paragraphs. The
summaries are especially important. They are usually at the
beginning or end of a reading assignment.
Another way to read faster is to avoid vocalizing. Obviously,
you're more likely to read faster if you don't read aloud or
move your lips. You can also increase your speed if you don't
subvocalize---that is, if you don't mentally "hear"
the words as you read them. To stop doing it, just be aware
of it.
Practice reading faster with simpler material at first. That
way you can pay closer attention.
A cautionary note about these techniques: Speed isn't everything.
Skillful readers vary their reading rate according to their
purpose and the nature of the material. An advanced text in
analytical geometry, for example, usually calls for a different
reading rate than the Sunday comics.
You can also use different reading rates on the same materials.
For example, you might sprint through an assignment for the
key words and ideas, then return to the difficult parts for
a more thorough reading.
And finally, remember the first rule of reading fast: Just
say go!
(613 words)
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