Speed ReadingSpeed Reading

For what purpose would you “speed For what purpose would you “speed read”?read”?

What are some tips that you know What are some tips that you know already?already?

How can you get faster?How can you get faster?

Steps to reading fasterSteps to reading faster

1. Get your body ready. 1. Get your body ready. SitSit up straight, edge of up straight, edge of the chair, feet the chair, feet flatflat on the floor or stand up. on the floor or stand up.

2. Set a 2. Set a timetime limit. Use a clock, digital watch or limit. Use a clock, digital watch or stop watch. Set realistic goals. Set a goal to read stop watch. Set realistic goals. Set a goal to read two or three sections of a chapter in an hour. two or three sections of a chapter in an hour. Then, set a goal for fifty minutes. Give yourself a Then, set a goal for fifty minutes. Give yourself a gentle gentle pushpush to cover the material in less time. to cover the material in less time.

3. Relax. It promotes 3. Relax. It promotes concentrationconcentration. Remember. Remember—it’s not the same as “zoning out”.—it’s not the same as “zoning out”.

4. Move your eyes 4. Move your eyes fasterfaster. Our eyes look at . Our eyes look at text in fixations called saccades. Our eyes text in fixations called saccades. Our eyes physically take in groups of words at a physically take in groups of words at a time (usually time (usually threethree), although we ), although we experience the illusion of continually experience the illusion of continually scanning text. Our eyes scanning text. Our eyes stopstop at those at those certain fixations. Try to increase the certain fixations. Try to increase the groups of words from three to six at a time. groups of words from three to six at a time. Use a Use a pencilpencil or an index card as a guide. or an index card as a guide.

Key word reading:Key word reading:

The The boy went/boy went/ to the to the store/store/ to get a to get a loafloaf of of bread/bread/ and a and a gallongallon of of milkmilk

Phrase word reading:Phrase word reading:

The The boy went/boy went/ to the store/to the store/ to get a to get a loaf of loaf of bread/bread/ and a and a gallon of milkgallon of milk

5. Notice and release 5. Notice and release ineffectiveineffective habits. Notice habits. Notice when you make rwhen you make regressionsegressions and try to limit them and try to limit them by paying attention to the text the first time. Also by paying attention to the text the first time. Also notice sub-vocalization. You can read faster if notice sub-vocalization. You can read faster if you don’t mentally you don’t mentally “hear”“hear” the words as you read the words as you read them.them.6. If you are pressed for time, 6. If you are pressed for time, skimskim. Read the . Read the headings, subheadings, charts, graphs, and headings, subheadings, charts, graphs, and summary paragraphs.summary paragraphs.7. Stay 7. Stay flexibleflexible. Skillful readers vary their . Skillful readers vary their reading rate according to the nature of the reading rate according to the nature of the material. Or, you can use different rates with the material. Or, you can use different rates with the same material, such as skimming a chapter same material, such as skimming a chapter before you read it carefully.before you read it carefully.

8. Explore more 8. Explore more resourcesresources. There are . There are speed-reading classes offered, Internet speed-reading classes offered, Internet articles, and books about reading rates. articles, and books about reading rates. The first rule of reading fast: The first rule of reading fast: Just do itJust do it!!

Practice Increasing Your Reading Practice Increasing Your Reading RateRate

Choose high Choose high interestinterest material. When material. When practicing, use material you are familiar practicing, use material you are familiar with and are interested in.with and are interested in.Practice everyday. At least Practice everyday. At least 10-1510-15 minutes minutes a day.a day.Read at slightly faster than comfortable Read at slightly faster than comfortable speeds. You should feel a little speeds. You should feel a little uncomfortableuncomfortable, but you should still be , but you should still be comprehending what you read.comprehending what you read.

Check your Check your comprehensioncomprehension. Increasing your . Increasing your reading rate while losing comprehension reading rate while losing comprehension provides no benefit. It is okay to have only 70-provides no benefit. It is okay to have only 70-80% understanding during pushed reading. 80% understanding during pushed reading. Make sure you get all the key Make sure you get all the key ideasideas in the in the passage. If you have 100 percent passage. If you have 100 percent comprehension, you can probably read even comprehension, you can probably read even faster!faster!Try to read at the same Try to read at the same timetime each day. Choose each day. Choose a time when you are most alert, and read at the a time when you are most alert, and read at the same time every day for about 15 minutes.same time every day for about 15 minutes.Don’t Don’t give upgive up. This is a slow, but steady process. . This is a slow, but steady process. Don’t worry about fluctuations in your reading Don’t worry about fluctuations in your reading rate, as long as you are seeing an overall rate, as long as you are seeing an overall increase in your reading increase in your reading raterate..