Speed-Reading is a very useful skill that, if mastered, can improve various aspects of your life. There are various techniques that can be implemented in order to improve the individual’s reading speed.
Of course, one option is to purchase a speed-reading software. Such software promise to improve the individual’s reading speed, through various engaging activities. If you decide to take this route, make sure you purchase a software that focuses not only on speed-reading, but also on reading comprehension and retention.
Various software use a technique likened to a tachistoscope called “photo-reading.” Photo-reading flashes words on the screen in order to train the user’s eyes to catch the text on this screen. While true that this increases the reader’s speed, it severely decreases their comprehension.
Which brings up another point: do you want to simply increase the rate at which you read, or do you want to understand the text that you are reading? If you read quickly but do not understand the text, then you will just have to re-read the text over and over again to try to grasp the content. This is why it is essential to learn how to speed-read, but in a manner that does not compromise comprehension and retention.
Of course, there are certain techniques that would enhance your reading speed. These techniques are taught and practiced through speed-reading software, but many fast readers utilize them without even noticing.
In order to improve reading speed, you must train yourself to stop reading “out loud” in your head. How much longer does it take you to read a text if you are reading it out loud to someone versus reading silently? Now imagine if you could eliminate reading out loud in your own head. It would definitely improve your reading speed greatly!
Another important technique is learning to skim through, or skip altogether, words that have insignificant meanings. There is no reason to stop and read every single a, it, the, but, however, thus, therefore, etc. Reading these words does not improve your comprehension, but it does slow down your reading speed. Take for example, this sentence: “The dog was barking because a cat had walked past him.” Instead of reading that sentence, you can train your brain to read it as “dog barking because cat walked past.” The sentence has retained the intended meaning, but now you just read five words less than the original. Now imagine if you can do this with all your reading material without even thinking about it! It would save you so much time.
Naturally, the old adage “practice makes perfect” absolutely applies in this case. The more you practice reading, the faster you will become. Even without realizing it, those who read on a daily basis are usually faster readers than those who read on a weekly basis, simply because their eyes and brain are more used to reading. Their eyes learn to scan through text quickly and still recognize what each word means. Their brains, on the other hand, implement the aforementioned techniques without being professionally trained to. Practice reading all sorts of text, both online and in print, and soon you will be able to speed-read.
