Efficient reading A matter of concentration

Concentration Imagine driving a car at 20 kilometers per hour vs. driving at 200 kilometers per hour. Reading is the same. ◦ Concentration requires energy ◦ Health, rest, physical & mental well-being are all important. ◦ Rest breaks are important ◦ Rewards are important

How fast should you read? Native English Speakers 250 wpm with 70% comprehension for average adult 300 wpm with 70% comprehension for college students

Distractions External ◦ People talking ◦ Telephone ◦ Music Internal (more difficult to control) ◦ Thoughts ◦ Other things you need to do ◦ Mind wandering

Increasing Reading Speed Be Aggressive: Be active. Look for Meaning. Drive for the main idea.

Increasing Reading Speed Concentrate: Focus on Meaning. Consider Your Purpose. Be attentive. Visualize (use imagination and five senses)

Increasing Reading Speed Stop Regressions: Regressions are when you reread what you have already read Keep your mind from wandering. Pay attention during the first reading. Reread only when necessary such as when the material is complex

Increasing Reading Speed Reduce Vocalization: This is moving your lips when you read. Subvocalization is when you hear the voice in your head. Put a paper in front of your lips to see if it moves. You read with your mind, not your mouth. Subvocalization can be very helpful for difficult and complex reading

Increasing Reading Speed Expand Fixations: Identify Thought Units. Read in Phrases. Decrease Fixations.

Increasing Reading Speed Use a Pen as a Pacer: Set a Rhythmical pace. Move the Pen from Left to Right. Make a Z Pattern with Return Sweeps.

Increasing Reading Speed Preview Before Reading: Think About the Title. Look for Key Words and Phrases. Read the Boldface and Italic Type. Make Predictions. Decide What You Want to Learn. Activate Your Schema.

Increasing Reading Speed Set a Time Goal: Estimate Words per Page. Calculate Projected Reading Speed. Pace Yourself. Make Your Goal Realistic.

Increasing Reading Speed Be Flexible: Adjust Speed According to Purpose. Skim When Necessary. Slow Down for Difficult Material.

Increasing Reading Speed Practice: Read Every Day. Practice Faster Reading Techniques. Be Willing to Try..

The Open, Window by Saki

Saki ( ) Hector Hugh Munro or H. H. Munro British Born in Burma Joined Indian Imperial Police Fought and died in WW1 as an ordinary soldier Master of the short story Write about ironies of society A closet homosexual Read “Tobermory”

From a high school play based on this story.