Before we start, a word of advice. Don\u2019t try to speed read everything! If you\u2019re reading a good book, or need to understand a complex document \u2013 a legal text, for example \u2013 take the time to read them properly. Speed reading isn\u2019t really to do with reading faster, but to make you more efficient; the intention is to help you identify the parts of a text which need close attention, and just skim\u00a0 the rest.<\/p>\n
1. Pre-read
\nBefore you start a text, decide how quickly you want to read it. Look over the whole piece, checking the headings, the bullet points and the words printed in bold. This will enable you to identify the key material, after which you can go back and re-read what\u2019s really important \u2013 slowly!<\/p>\n
2. Read in blocks
\nMost of us were taught to read one word at a time, line by line. But actually, if you absorb blocks of text when you read, instead of concentrating on one word at a time, your comprehension of the material as a whole can be increased.<\/p>\n
Hold the text a bit further away from your eyes than you usually would, and try to relax your face and your eyes. The idea is to train your eyes to look at more words at once: whole lines or sentences instead of individual words.<\/p>\n
Focus on the middle of each line, instead of starting at the beginning. Let yourself take in the meaning of the text in the line, and then move on to the next one. Once you can do this, you can try focussing on the middle of a paragraph, and then a larger block of text \u2013 even a whole page. You\u2019ll be amazed at how much you understand. Again, the aim here is not to gain any in-depth understanding of the text, but to \u201cscan\u201d it quickly to identify what you really need to concentrate on.<\/p>\n
3. Don\u2019t sub-vocalise
\nThis is the main cause of slow reading. As you read, you pronounce each word \u2013 not aloud, but in your head. Most people don\u2019t realise that they do this. Do you? Read this sentence: are you saying the words in your breath, in your head \u2013 even moving your lips as you read them? Once you\u2019ve realised you do this, you have to consciously turn the voice off. Yes, it is possible!<\/p>\n
The thing is, we speak at an average speed of about 120 words per minute, so if you \u201cvocalise\u201d or \u201csay\u201d words as you read them, you can only read as fast as you can speak.<\/p>\n
To turn off the voice in your head, try humming to yourself while you\u2019re reading, or counting up to four, over and over again. (Obviously, don\u2019t do this if it means you will disturb other people.) In other words, you occupy your mouth, tongue and breathing with repetitive, simple sounds while your eyes effortlessly skim the page. It really works \u2013 try it now: read this paragraph again, counting in your head.<\/p>\n
4. Just read it once
\nTalking of re-reading: it\u2019s a habit \u2013 and it\u2019s one you can break. Unless you really need to make the words stick, or you\u2019re reading a complex document, you most likely understand text the first time you read it. It\u2019s just a waste of time.<\/p>\n
So don\u2019t allow yourself to re-read material. Smoothly run a pencil, or your finger, under the words as you read; your eye will follow the pointer. Or better still, cover up the lines as you\u2019ve read them, with a bookmark or a piece of paper, so your eye can\u2019t return. Increase your speed as it feels comfortable.<\/p>\n
So there we are. One final tip: nowadays, many people think that to be a high achiever, they have to multitask. But this can seriously reduce your concentration. Watch someone trying to read in a noisy environment: they are almost certainly speaking the words in their head as they read, and also re-reading (see next point) in order to concentrate. So turn off your mp3 player, iPod, radio or TV, and go into a room where no one is talking and there are no distractions. Or buy some earplugs. It will help.<\/p>\n
If you have a few more minutes, try reading this article again, using one of the methods we\u2019ve suggested. And don\u2019t forget: practice makes perfect!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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