What if you could read faster and increase your comprehension at the same time? How would that propel your learning and productivity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 10 Days to Faster Reading<\/em>, Abby Marks Beale and the Princeton Language Institute say that speed-reading isn’t just a nifty ability. They argue that the skills entailed in speed-reading are important for focus, comprehension, productivity, expertise, and even reading enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s take a look at how to improve your reading<\/a> speed with their strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Once you know how to improve your reading speed, you can learn new information more efficiently, rid yourself of unhelpful reading habits, and understand the things you read on a deeper level. We\u2019ll discuss a selection of the authors\u2019 practical strategies for improving your reading rate, reading more, and getting more out of your reading. Here’s what we’ll discuss specifically:<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: The authors say you can practice and incorporate their strategies into your reading toolkit over 10 days, to show that you can improve your speed-reading skills in a short time. However, they note that many of the strategies can be learned and practiced in any order. To boost clarity, we\u2019ve reorganized the strategies chronologically, starting with the techniques you\u2019d use before<\/em> reading and ending with the techniques you\u2019d use while<\/em> reading the body of a text.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors note that you can get more out of your reading by being selective about what you read. Before you begin reading any text, the authors suggest identifying why<\/em> you want to read it and how<\/em> you might use the information in the text later on. <\/strong>If you can\u2019t answer these questions, skip reading the piece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your \u201cwhy\u201d for reading something will vary from text to text. For example, you might read a book about procrastination<\/a> to learn strategies for making better use of your time. This information could help you further your professional goals<\/a> and feel less stressed about getting everything done. Or, you might read a fantasy novel purely for enjoyment\u2014the story expands your imagination and helps you relax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assessing a text before you begin ensures that you don\u2019t waste any time reading material that isn\u2019t useful to you. Additionally, this process helps with focus and efficiency\u2014when you start with a clear \u201cwhy,\u201d it\u2019s easier to keep your attention on the text in pursuit of your goal. When you\u2019re paying closer attention, you don\u2019t reread or daydream as much, so you get through the text faster and comprehend it better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the authors, it\u2019s helpful to briefly familiarize yourself with the content of a nonfiction text before you begin reading in earnest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to assisting you with Strategy #1, this strategy helps you meet the following three goals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) Getting a sense of the structure and topics covered.<\/strong> Almost all nonfiction writing follows an internal outline that offers a map of the topics covered. This strategy takes advantage of that framework to give you a clear overview of what you\u2019re about to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) Improving your reading efficiency<\/a> by giving you context and direction for a text.<\/strong> When you don\u2019t familiarize yourself with a text beforehand, you don\u2019t know where it\u2019s going. Therefore, you may be unsure what you\u2019re supposed to get from it. This often makes it more difficult to concentrate and understand what you\u2019re reading. As you struggle to figure out what you\u2019re supposed to be learning, you read more slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3) Reviewing a text after reading it previously.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To pre-familiarize yourself with the contents of your nonfiction reading material, the authors suggest identifying and reading certain elements of the text before working through its main body. We\u2019ll highlight two sets of elements here: 1) the title, introduction, headings, and conclusion, and 2) details about the author and the book\u2019s copyright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the authors, reading the title provides your first clue of what the text covers<\/strong>. Then, read the introduction (usually the first paragraph or paragraphs of the text). Once you know where the text is going, move on to the headings, which communicate the text\u2019s content and structure. Finally, read any concluding paragraphs at the end of the text\u2014these will often offer a synopsis of the main ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the authors, details about the writer of a piece offer insight into their unique perspective.<\/strong> For instance, background about their life may indicate why they\u2019re writing about the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors also recommend inspecting the book\u2019s copyright details, as they tell you when it was written. This will give you historical context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the authors, people commonly engage in several behaviors that slow down their reading. One way to improve your reading speed is by addressing three unhelpful habits, which we\u2019ll further explore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors state that one of the main behaviors that slow readers down is mouthing, reading aloud, or silently reading the words in a text at the rate of speech<\/strong>\u2014also known as subvocalizing. The rate at which we speak is much slower than the rate at which we can think and read, so if you\u2019re reading at a speaking rate, you\u2019ll get through a text much more slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To reduce subvocalization, the authors suggest putting your pointer finger against your lips, as if you\u2019re telling someone to be quiet. This will remind you not to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another slow reading behavior the authors discuss is rereading parts of a text by accident. As untrained readers move through a text, their eyes often unconsciously drift back to portions they\u2019ve already read.<\/strong> This adds time by slowing their progress. Readers often do this because they\u2019re unfocused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To stop yourself from unintentionally rereading, take a blank note card and place it at the top of the page. As you read, move the notecard down so it covers the portion of the text you\u2019ve already read. If your eyes drift, the bottom of the notecard will indicate where to resume reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, people often read slowly because their thoughts drift to subjects that have little to do with the text.<\/strong> According to the authors, this affects reading speed and comprehension, as you continually have to redirect your attention back to the text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, consciously directing your thoughts toward topics that are<\/em> related to the text can help you remember what you read. Our brains remember new information by connecting it to things we already know, so connecting what you read to existing knowledge creates a lasting memory. For example, if you\u2019re reading about the diet of a giraffe, you might connect what you read to a memory you have of feeding giraffes at your local zoo, creating a mental map between your past experience and the new facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve familiarized yourself with the basic structure and content of a text, decided it\u2019s worth your time, and reduced some of your unhelpful reading habits, turn your attention toward reading the body of the text efficiently. To do this, the authors say you must increase the amount of information your eyes take in at one time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The authors note that you can read faster by expanding your vision field<\/strong>\u2014the full extent of what you\u2019re able to see when your eyes pause. As you read, your eyes flit from one part of the page to another in rapid movements. When your eyes pause on a spot, they absorb information. Expanding your vision field allows your brain to take in more information each time your eyes land on a piece of text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Practice the following technique to expand your vision field:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this technique, the authors describe how to train your eyes to see more to the left and to the right of your peripheral vision when you’re looking at a fixed, central spot.<\/strong> Start by creating a page of several rows of randomized characters (such as numbers or letters), putting three per row. In the first row, space the characters closely together, and widen the space between the characters in each subsequent row. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting at the top, go down the rows, keeping your eyes trained on the central character in each line. While focusing on the center, you should still be able to see the characters to the right and left in your peripheral vision. As you move through the rows, it becomes more difficult to see all three characters because your eyes must work harder to take in the information on either side. Practicing this regularly with ever-widening spaces between the characters will help you expand your peripheral vision and read with greater efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the authors argue that you can read more quickly by focusing your eyes only on the most important words in a sentence.<\/strong> You\u2019ll still be able to understand the meaning of each sentence, but you won\u2019t waste time reading every single word. <\/p>\n\n\n\nStrategies for Reading More Efficiently and Effectively<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Strategy #1: Be Selective When Choosing Your Reading Material<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Strategy #2: Familiarize Yourself With the Content Before You Begin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Title, Introduction, Headings, & Conclusion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Author & Copyright Details<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Strategy #3: Reduce Unhelpful Reading Behaviors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Behavior #1: Mouthing or Speaking the Words<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Behavior #2: Unintentionally Rereading<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Behavior #3: Getting Lost in Thought<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Strategy #4: Increase the Amount of Information Your Eyes Take In<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Technique: Widen Your Peripheral Vision<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Strategy #5: Read Only Essential Words<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n