Speed Reading Techniques For Effective Reading

By Author: Craige Jones
Total Articles: 66
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Learning speed reading techniques are being embraced by more and more people as the benefits of it are widely understood. Speed reading can be defined as a skill which enables a person to read at an accelerated pace without greatly reducing the retention and comprehension levels.

Why Should One Learn Speed Reading Techniques?

People try to improve all the other skills; but often ignore reading skills. Students and research scholars, who are required to read a huge chunk of materials on a daily basis, can effectively benefit from learning speed reading techniques. By enhancing their reading speed, students can cover more chapters compared to their cotemporaries, and can find more time to study other subjects. It is proved that children who are blessed with the speed reading skill often out perform in their studies. Since speed reading techniques also enhance retention capability, one will be able to recall the vital matters without re-reading the text.

Speed reading skill will also help employees in the corporate world to read and comprehend reports, emails, newspapers, correspondences and technical papers ...
... faster. Since they are required to be up-to-date with new information without sacrificing the office duties, speed reading techniques will prove to be helpful. These techniques that help to manage reading and comprehension at an accelerated rate will lead to increased productivity and efficiency. Communication skills and personality will also be improved, along with assisting you in finding time for other important stuffs in life.

There are a whole lot of courses that teach different speed reading skills based on a collection of reading methods and techniques. These courses are available in the form of books, videos, software, and seminars.

Speed Reading Techniques

Learning to increase the speed at which you read, of course won't increase your IQ, but it will increase your brain's ability to comprehend new concepts.

In order to master the fast reading skill, one must be a good reader. The reader's knowledge of vocabulary should be strong, if he/she wants to comprehend the stuff fast. If one's vocabulary and comprehension are strong enough, speed reading technique will be of much help in mastering the skill.

Avoid Word By Word Reading

Reading word by word is a poor reading habit, and unfortunately this is how children are traditionally taught to read and learn. Overcoming this habit will itself enhance a person's reading ability. The problem with word by word reading is that the reader will fail to comprehend the overall concept in the text, as he/she will be focusing on separate words. Speed reading techniques deal with reading chunks or blocks of word at a time and grasping the essence of those word groups. Once you learn to read more words in a block and comprehend, the faster you will read. The best way to hold the book is to keep it little further from your eyes.

Avoid Sub-Vocalization

A clinical term for pronouncing each word while reading, sub-vocalization will reduce the reading speed and comprehension ability. The reason is that when you read put each word louder; you will first hear the word spoken leading to the slow down of the comprehension process. Practicing reading until you get rid of this habit is the only way out.

Read While You Read

Eliminating multi-tasking while reading, will help in improving speed at which you read. Try to avoid all disturbances and distractions from the place where you sit and read.

Skim the Content for Main Ideas

Stop considers reading as a linear practice. Try to avoid sequential reading by taking in every word, sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter in order, which will divert your attention to supplementary and superfluous materials. Scan the text and focus on the vital content. Look for bullet points or things in bold. Skim the text to avoid fluff and concentrate on the key material.

Take Breaks

Reading steadily for hours together will affect the reading efficiency and will slow down the process of retention. Take specific time breaks to refresh yourself and to avoid over straining your eyes.

Remember that for acquiring speed reading skill there is no magic formula. Practicing with full concentration is the only way to master this valuable art.

www.speedreadingtechniques101.com is an important website that offers online speed reading courses, techniques, audio exercises and articles to increase your speed in reading in a shorter period of time. The site offers speed reading exercises by Tyler Smith. There are articles, audio mp3s and many more explaining the speed reading techniques which can help you concentrate on the speed reading material even better.