Speed Reading Tactics: The Path to Speed Reading Mastery Revealed
Mastering reading by using speed reading techniques
Speed reading is a conglomeration of reading strategies that many of us use when we read. What those who speed read will tell you is that they sharpen their reading skills and focus particularly on certain skills which will increase speed without loss of comprehension. Mainly, speed reading focuses on words and teaches the eye to pick up the important word which, when strung together, have meaning. Most people find speed reading easy to do once they learn the techniques.
Technique #1 – Pay attention
Read attentively like your life depends on what you are reading. When you first sit down to read, scan the passage first to preview the content, this practice will help you to identify key words and important details. Concentrate on the title, italicized text, identify the style of writing, look at the first paragraph and look at the last paragraph. If you preview the text carefully, you will have a better understanding of what you will be reading before you actually read the text.
Technique #2 – Don’t vocalize
Most people either read by vocalizing the text or sub-vocalizing the text, meaning that they read the words either out loud or in their heads. The practice of vocalizing slows down the reading process. Train your eyes and your brain to work in coordination with one another when you read.
Technique #3 – Chunk
Everyone makes stops when reading. Slow readers make more stops than good readers. Learn how to chunk the words in a sentence by reading words in groups or phases. There should be at least three words in each phrase which will increase reading speed.
Technique #4 – Read only once
Re-reading slows you down. If at all possible, avoid re-reading. Even if you do not completely understand the content of a sentence or paragraph, force yourself to move on as the practice of pre-reading will help you grasp the meaning of the text as a whole.
Technique #5 – Understand the type of text you are reading
The speed at which you read depends on the actual text. If you are reading legal briefs you are going to take a lot longer amount of time to read, than if you are reading an article in the newspaper. Slow readers read at one speed only. Good readers, who read with efficiency, vary their speed to accommodate for the type of text they are reading.
To be a successful speed reader, practice is the most important step in the process. The more practice a person commits to, the more successful a person will be at increasing their reading speed. Remember speed reading is only valuable if comprehension is not lost. Therefore, practice frequently and monitor your reading speed. You will be surprised at the rate your reading speed increases within a very short period of time.
