A Guide to Speed Reading ENGL 213 PUCPR Prof. Miguel A. Arce

How do people read? Our conscious brain takes in 16 bits of information per second, compared to our non-conscious brain that absorbs 11 million bits per second. This is the reason why we hate to do stuff consciously.

How do we read?

Effectively you are not reading words, but blocks of words at a time. The period of time during which the eye rests on one word is called a fixation.

How do we read? You may also notice that you don't always proceed from one block of words to the next. Sometimes, you may move back to a preceding block of words if you are unsure about something or if you don’t understand what it meant. These disruptions to the forward flow of reading are called skip-backs.

How do we read? Research shows that there is a big relationship between rate and comprehension. Some people read rapidly and comprehend well; others read slowly and comprehend badly. Thus, there is some reason to believe that the factors producing slow reading are also involved in lowered comprehension.

Pre-Requisites of Speed Reading Before taking into consideration speed reading, we must understand that it is an activity that is not to be used for everything that is read. Speed reading basically covers two areas: –reading –comprehension

Pre-Requisites of Speed Reading

It is useless to study speed reading if you have trouble in absorbing information. You should already be an able reader before you try to speed read. Speed reading will not help you if you have problems in understanding the meaning of the words.

Before Trying to Speed Read Consider Your Purpose Look for Specific Words Become an Impatient Reader Different Speeds for Different Materials

Identifying Needs for Reading the Material In order to become aware of your reading situation, ask yourself questions like: –What do I want (or need) to know and learn? –In which context do I want (or need) this? –Which texts could suit these needs? –What made me choose this text?

Identifying Needs for Reading the Material –How deeply an understanding of the text do I need? –How much time have I got? –How do I want to proceed?

Different Speeds for Different Materials You do not need to read every word to understand a text. However some texts will require careful reading, so you need to know when to adjust your reading speed. Skim a text, and then decide if a slower reading approach is necessary.

How to Speed Read? Step 1 –In reading, your starting position and reading gesture is relevant: sit up straight, with the book being held by your left hand, and with your right hand doing the pacing. –You should have your full concentration on your text and no noise should be allowed in the place where you are reading. –Read until the end! –Do not get tired, discouraged, or bored; don’t just stop reading when you want to.

How to Speed Read? –After you finish reading, recall the things that you have learned, return to the ideas that seem unclear, and reread them in order to grasp their ideas. –Carefully read and absorb difficult passages. On parts which are not clear, don’t be afraid to stop and reread

How to Speed Read? Step 2 –Scan the page for titles, sub-titles, graphs or anything that provides data. –Read the data on the graphs or summaries. –As you begin to scan the page just make sure you read the content words and skip all function words.

How to Speed Read? Step 3 –Stop sub-vocalization. –Try to shut down the little voice in your head!

How to Speed Read? Step 4 –With your finger, pen or any other marker, slide the pen and read everything without going back. –This is in other words you will be reducing fixations. –After you’ve finished reading the page ask yourself, “what did I understand?”

How to Speed Read? Step 5 –Constantly verify what is important and what is not. –There are times where you know that there is specific data that you need to understand. –Speed read what isn’t important and read carefully what is considered to be important.

Major Causes of Slow Reading Speed The major causes of slow reading speed can be influenced by these individual variables such as: –intelligence –motivation –physiological –psychological traits

Major Causes of Slow Reading Speed

Deficiencies in vocabulary and comprehension levels required by the particular reading material greatly affects reading rate. Learning will not help a student who has difficulty understanding the reading material. In addition, learning will not help a student who is hindered by an inadequate vocabulary to skip any faster through unknown or vaguely defined words.

Major Causes of Slow Reading Speed Inflexibility – the tendency to read everything the same way regardless of what it is,why it is being read, etc. Passivity – the failure to become involved with the material being read; the failure to interact with the author and to anticipate his following thoughts. Unnecessary and habitual regression or re-reading due to lack of concentration.

Major Causes of Slow Reading Speed Habitually slow "reaction time" to reading material.