Faster Reading

8/8/2019 Faster Reading

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Faster readingFaster reading For many of us the problem ofFor many of us the problem of

reading a great deal ofreading a great deal ofmaterial in too short a time ismaterial in too short a time isfairly common.fairly common.

We seem to be living throughWe seem to be living throughan information explosion.an information explosion.


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Most of us have beenMost of us have beenreading since we were fivereading since we were fiveor so, and for many of usor so, and for many of usthat is quite a long timethat is quite a long time

But despite all thisBut despite all thisexperience few peopleexperience few peopleread as well as they mightread as well as they might

..


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They read too slowly,They read too slowly,

they cannot concentratethey cannot concentrateand they dont retainand they dont retain

what theyve readwhat theyve read


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The average adult reads at aThe average adult reads at aspeed of between 200 andspeed of between 200 and300 words per minute300 words per minute(w.p.m.) but some people(w.p.m.) but some peopleread at 600 w.p.m. and Johnread at 600 w.p.m. and John

F. Kennedy is reputed to haveF. Kennedy is reputed to havebeen able to read at 1000been able to read at 1000w.p.m.w.p.m.


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Why do people read atWhy do people read at

different speeds?different speeds?

How is it that some peopleHow is it that some people

are three times moreare three times moreeffective than others wheneffective than others whenit comes to reading?it comes to reading?


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It certainly doesntIt certainly doesnt

appear to have anythingappear to have anythingto do with intelligence,to do with intelligence,

or education, or status,or education, or status,or occupation or sex.or occupation or sex.


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There are many wives whoseThere are many wives whosejobs require little reading, whojobs require little reading, whoinfuriate their husbands by beinginfuriate their husbands by beingable to read much faster thanable to read much faster thantheir husbands, despite lesstheir husbands, despite lessexperience and less practice.experience and less practice.

Similarly, there are manySimilarly, there are manybrilliant men and women whobrilliant men and women whoare outpaced by theirare outpaced by theirsubordinates.subordinates.


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No one seems to know whyNo one seems to know whyfaster reading comes morefaster reading comes moreeasily to some people thaneasily to some people thanothers.others.

What we do know is thatWhat we do know is thatmore effective readersmore effective readersread in a different wayread in a different way

from slow readers.from slow readers.


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The best of the readers can beThe best of the readers can be

slowed down by things like:slowed down by things like: The complexity of the materialThe complexity of the material The authors styleThe authors style T

he typeface which is hard toT

he typeface which is hard toreadreadMonotonous layMonotonous lay--out andout and

presentations (e.g. solid blockspresentations (e.g. solid blocks

of print weary the eye)of print weary the eye) Unfamiliar words andUnfamiliar words and

expressions.expressions.


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However, these may just beHowever, these may just beexcuses. It is quite possibleexcuses. It is quite possiblethat it could be your faultthat it could be your fault

Slow readers tend to haveSlow readers tend to have

developed some bad habits,developed some bad habits,whereas effective readingwhereas effective readingcalls for certain techniques.calls for certain techniques.


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These techniques can be learnedThese techniques can be learnedand practiced.and practiced.

You could probably read at leastYou could probably read at least

half as fast again as you do now,half as fast again as you do now,and still understand well.and still understand well.

Some peoples comprehensionSome peoples comprehensionlevel actually increaseslevel actually increases


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Why do people read slowlyWhy do people read slowly

and infectively?and infectively?

How do you read at present?How do you read at present?

Some techniques you canSome techniques you can

practice perfectly well onpractice perfectly well onyour own.your own.


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How do you read?How do you read?Answer the questionsAnswer the questions

honestly.honestly.

There is nothing you will gainThere is nothing you will gainby trying to guess what youby trying to guess what youthink the answer should be.think the answer should be.

Put a tick (usually true) or aPut a tick (usually true) or across (seldom true) againstcross (seldom true) against

eacheach


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1. I skim the reading material before1. I skim the reading material beforestudying it.studying it.

2. I tend to go back over words and2. I tend to go back over words andphrasesIhave not understood,phrasesIhave not understood,before going on.before going on.

3. I find it difficult to pick out the main3. I find it difficult to pick out the mainidea of a passageidea of a passage

4. I read different types of reading4. I read different types of readingmaterial at different speedsmaterial at different speeds

5. Ipronounce words to myself whenI5. Ipronounce words to myself whenI

read.read.


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6. WhenIhave a lot of reading to6. WhenIhave a lot of reading todo, I try to stick at it as long asdo, I try to stick at it as long as

possible before having a break.possible before having a break.

7. Ialways skim over the entire7. Ialways skim over the entire

questionnaire, exam paper, etc.questionnaire, exam paper, etc.before starting to answer thebefore starting to answer thequestionsquestions

8. Ihave a tendency to daydream8. Ihave a tendency to daydreamwhen trying to study a report,when trying to study a report,article or section of a report.article or section of a report.


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9. Iprefer to read slowly and carefully9. Iprefer to read slowly and carefullythrough a fairly a difficult article,through a fairly a difficult article,

rather than read it quickly two orrather than read it quickly two orthree times.three times.

10. I find it easy to understand and10. I find it easy to understand and

remember whatI readremember whatI read

11. GenerallyIam rather slow reader.11. GenerallyIam rather slow reader.

12. Iskimmed quickly through all12. Iskimmed quickly through allthese questions before Istarted tothese questions before Istarted toanswer any of them.answer any of them.


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If you put a tick for 1, 4, 7,If you put a tick for 1, 4, 7,

10 and 12 then you have10 and 12 then you haveprobably learnt effectiveprobably learnt effectivereading, or you havereading, or you havedeveloped good readingdeveloped good readinghabits naturally, or youhabits naturally, or you

cheated yourself by tryingcheated yourself by tryingto guess the right answers.to guess the right answers.


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If, however, you put a tickIf, however, you put a tickagainst any of the other points,against any of the other points,

you have developed some badyou have developed some badhabits and could probablyhabits and could probablyimprove your readingimprove your readingconsiderably by practicingconsiderably by practicing

conscientiously some of theconscientiously some of thetechniques suggested.techniques suggested.


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Different materialDifferent material differentdifferentspeedspeed

At the moment, it is very likely thatAt the moment, it is very likely thatyou read practically every thing youyou read practically every thing you

read in much the same way and atread in much the same way and atmuch the same speed.much the same speed.

A moments thought will tell you thatA moments thought will tell you thatyou are spending too much time onyou are spending too much time onthe easy material, which doesntthe easy material, which doesntleave enough time to spend on theleave enough time to spend on themore difficult stuff.more difficult stuff.


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Improving your reading speed is,Improving your reading speed is,therefore, mainly intended totherefore, mainly intended toincrease the range of readingincrease the range of readingspeeds available to you, so thatspeeds available to you, so that

instead of reading everything atinstead of reading everything atthe same fairly speed, you can bethe same fairly speed, you can bemore flexible.more flexible.

With practice you will probablyWith practice you will probablyend up reading everything ratherend up reading everything ratherfaster than you do now, even thefaster than you do now, even thevery difficult material.very difficult material.


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Purposes of readingPurposes of reading

There are three basicThere are three basicreasons why we read:reasons why we read:

PleasurePleasureInformationInformation

JudgmentJudgment


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Comprehension and speedComprehension and speed

Reading faster is not the onlyReading faster is not the onlyproblem.problem.

Although it is obviouslyAlthough it is obviouslyimportant to eliminate badimportant to eliminate badhabits and increase your readinghabits and increase your reading

speed, this is only part ofspeed, this is only part ofdeveloping a more effectivedeveloping a more effectiveapproach to reading.approach to reading.


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T

he other dimension is of course,T

he other dimension is of course,concerned with understanding,concerned with understanding,for it is no good simplyfor it is no good simplyincreasing the rate at which youincreasing the rate at which you

read if in doing so you gain lessread if in doing so you gain lessfrom what you read.from what you read.

In fact, these two aspects ofIn fact, these two aspects ofefficient reading are inextricablyefficient reading are inextricablylinked.linked.


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The physical process ofThe physical process of

readingreadingEye movementsEye movements

Many people read

Many people readinefficiently because ofinefficiently because offaulty eye movements, offaulty eye movements, of

which they are not evenwhich they are not evenaware.aware.


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When you read, your eyes do notWhen you read, your eyes do not

move smoothly across the page frommove smoothly across the page fromleft to right without stopping.left to right without stopping.

If they did, all you would see was aIf they did, all you would see was ablur.blur.

Try moving your eyes from one sideTry moving your eyes from one sideof the room to other without lettingof the room to other without lettingthem stop.them stop.


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What did you see?What did you see?A blur?A blur?

You can only keep your eyesYou can only keep your eyesin focus while they arein focus while they are

moving smoothly withoutmoving smoothly withoutstopping if the object you arestopping if the object you arelooking at is also moving.looking at is also moving.


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Since the words on the pageSince the words on the page

are stationary, your eyes canare stationary, your eyes canfocus only on the words whenfocus only on the words whenyour eyes are stationaryyour eyes are stationary

So when you read, your eyesSo when you read, your eyes

stop to take in a word or astop to take in a word or aphrase and then move on tophrase and then move on tothe next.the next.


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These stops are calledThese stops are calledfixations.fixations.

It is estimated that eachIt is estimated that eachfixation that our eyesfixation that our eyes

make lasts approximatelymake lasts approximately to 1 seconds and then to 1 seconds and thenthe eyes move on.the eyes move on.


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At each fixation, the eyesAt each fixation, the eyesread a word or perhapsread a word or perhapsseveral words.several words.

The number of words youThe number of words youfocus on and take in orfocus on and take in or

recognize at one fixation isrecognize at one fixation iscalled thecalled the recognition span.recognition span.


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Some people appear to be able toSome people appear to be able to

read straight down a printedread straight down a printedpage.page.

In other words they fixate onlyIn other words they fixate onlyonce each line and, at eachonce each line and, at each

fixation, take in or recognize thefixation, take in or recognize thewhole line.whole line.

Their recognition span is largeTheir recognition span is large


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Now it is obvious that theNow it is obvious that thebigger your recognition span,bigger your recognition span,the fewer fixations you willthe fewer fixations you willneed to make, so the fasterneed to make, so the fasteryou will readyou will read-- since it is thesince it is the

fixations that will take up thefixations that will take up thetime.time.


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Poor readers tend to make aPoor readers tend to make alarge number of fixations andlarge number of fixations and

have a small recognitionhave a small recognitionspan, but they also tend tospan, but they also tend tohave other habits associatedhave other habits associated

with the eye movements andwith the eye movements andthe brains activity whilethe brains activity whilereading.reading.


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RegressionRegression

This is a tendency to backtrack whileThis is a tendency to backtrack whilereading.reading.

Poor readers, who tend to focus onPoor readers, who tend to focus oneach word, are actually making lifeeach word, are actually making lifemore difficult for themselves thanmore difficult for themselves thanthey realize, because individualthey realize, because individual

words do not convey very muchwords do not convey very muchmeaning until they are joined tomeaning until they are joined toother wordsother words


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So, as the slow readers plod steadilySo, as the slow readers plod steadily

from word to word, trying to join thefrom word to word, trying to join theidea of one word to the idea of theidea of one word to the idea of thenext, they find it difficult to grasp annext, they find it difficult to grasp anoverall meaning from the individualoverall meaning from the individualwords.words.

After three or four words theyAfter three or four words theyprobably find they have forgottenprobably find they have forgotten

what the first was and have to gowhat the first was and have to goback to the beginning again.back to the beginning again.


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Because this process is slow,Because this process is slow,much slower than their brain canmuch slower than their brain canactually perform, the brain findsactually perform, the brain findssomething else to do.something else to do.

In other words, they easily getIn other words, they easily getside tracked or distracted byside tracked or distracted by

what we tend to callwhat we tend to calldaydreaming or thinking aboutdaydreaming or thinking aboutsomething else.something else.


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SubSub--vocalization and visualizationvocalization and visualization

Another habit of the slow readersAnother habit of the slow readersis the tendency to register theis the tendency to register the

sound of the words as they read,sound of the words as they read,either by physically mouthingeither by physically mouthingthem, or internallythem, or internally

acknowledging the sound of theacknowledging the sound of thewords in their heads.words in their heads.


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This is often the legacy from theThis is often the legacy from thedays when we learned to read,days when we learned to read,first aloud and then tofirst aloud and then toourselves.ourselves.

Small children can certainly beSmall children can certainly beseen mouthing the words as theyseen mouthing the words as they

read and, though this is lessread and, though this is lesscommon in adults.common in adults.


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Either externally mouthing orEither externally mouthing or

internally acknowledging theinternally acknowledging thesound of words in their heads issound of words in their heads isresorted to by slow readers.resorted to by slow readers.

This is often a legacy from theThis is often a legacy from thedays when we learned to read,days when we learned to read,

first aloud and then tofirst aloud and then toourselves.ourselves.


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Reading aloud, the averageReading aloud, the averagereader can only read at aboutreader can only read at about

125 w.p.m.125 w.p.m.

Mouthing the words orMouthing the words or

acknowledging the sounds insideacknowledging the sounds insideyour head would be bound toyour head would be bound tolimit your reading speed tolimit your reading speed tosomething below 200 w.p.m.something below 200 w.p.m.


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If you mouth the words or hearIf you mouth the words or hearthem inside your head, you arethem inside your head, you areconcentrating on the wordsconcentrating on the wordsthemselves, not on the meaningthemselves, not on the meaningof the ideas you are reading.of the ideas you are reading.


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ComfortComfort

Physical discomfort can alsoPhysical discomfort can alsoaffect the ease and fluencyaffect the ease and fluencywith which you read.with which you read.

But too much comfort canBut too much comfort canreduce your concentration:reduce your concentration:

*Positioning *Eyesight*Positioning *Eyesight

*Lighting *Rests*Lighting *Rests


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PositioningPositioning-- A comfortableA comfortable(but not too comfortable!)(but not too comfortable!)chair, which is the rightchair, which is the right

height, at a table, is probablyheight, at a table, is probablythe most suitable for athe most suitable for aserious reading task.serious reading task.


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LightingLighting-- good lighting isgood lighting isessential. Although desk lightsessential. Although desk lights

are commonly accepted as theare commonly accepted as thebest form of lighting, a lightbest form of lighting, a lightsource falling over your shouldersource falling over your shoulder

is best, since it reduces glare.is best, since it reduces glare.


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EyesightEyesight have you had yourhave you had youreyes tested recently?eyes tested recently?

Your eyes can deteriorateYour eyes can deterioratewithout your realizing it, sincewithout your realizing it, since

the muscles work harder tothe muscles work harder tocompensate for any deficiency incompensate for any deficiency invision.vision.


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Similarly, the lenses in theSimilarly, the lenses in thespectacles can becomespectacles can becomeunsuitable.unsuitable.

Pride often prevents peoplePride often prevents peoplegoing to the optician, but even ifgoing to the optician, but even ifyou arent suffering from anyyou arent suffering from anyphysical effects like tired eyesphysical effects like tired eyes

headaches, your reading couldheadaches, your reading couldstill be suffering.still be suffering.


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RestsRests-- while you should avoid beingwhile you should avoid being

distracted by noise, other people,distracted by noise, other people,hunger or thirst and should givehunger or thirst and should giveyourself a chance get stuck into ayourself a chance get stuck into areading or studying task, you shouldreading or studying task, you should

allow yourself reasonable breaks.allow yourself reasonable breaks.

Short frequent breaks are probablyShort frequent breaks are probablymore helpful than a longer breakmore helpful than a longer break

caused by exhaustion, after trying tocaused by exhaustion, after trying tostick at a reading task for hoursstick at a reading task for hourswithout a break.without a break.


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VocabularyVocabulary Obviously if you are having to goObviously if you are having to go

back to words or ponder overback to words or ponder overthem because your brain cannotthem because your brain cannot

assimilate them because they areassimilate them because they areunfamiliar or you do notunfamiliar or you do notunderstand them, your readingunderstand them, your readingspeed will inevitably be heldspeed will inevitably be held

backback


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Although writers should try to avoidAlthough writers should try to avoidusing unnecessarily complicated andusing unnecessarily complicated and

unfamiliar words, if your ownunfamiliar words, if your ownvocabulary is weak you should workvocabulary is weak you should workto improve it.to improve it.

Quizzes designed to test your wordQuizzes designed to test your wordpower are a useful method ofpower are a useful method ofmeasuring your vocabulary from timemeasuring your vocabulary from timeto time.to time.

i ii i


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Ways to increasing yourWays to increasing yourvocabularyvocabulary

Read widelyRead widely

Word of the weekWord of the week

Get the dictionary habitGet the dictionary habit

Latin and Greek wordsLatin and Greek words


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Read widelyRead widely

Apart from reading tasks for work orApart from reading tasks for work orstudy, you should try to read as muchstudy, you should try to read as muchas possible: books and articles onas possible: books and articles onsubjects other than your own; asubjects other than your own; anews paper regularly (preferably onenews paper regularly (preferably oneof the quality newspapers, whichof the quality newspapers, whichtend to use a more varied vocabularytend to use a more varied vocabularythan most of the popular newsthan most of the popular newspaperspapers-- but any paper is better thanbut any paper is better than

none).none). You might also try reading someYou might also try reading some

good magazines.good magazines.


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Word of the weekWord of the week Try choosing one word each week,Try choosing one word each week,

which you have come across butwhich you have come across butdont know or would not naturallydont know or would not naturallyuse.use.

Then use it in speaking and writingThen use it in speaking and writingas much as possible throughout theas much as possible throughout theweekweek

Your friends might find it amusingYour friends might find it amusingbut will soon envy your widebut will soon envy your widevocabulary.vocabulary.


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Get the dictionary habitGet the dictionary habit

If you hear a word you are notIf you hear a word you are notfamiliar with ask the user what theyfamiliar with ask the user what theymean and/or make a note of it andmean and/or make a note of it andlook it up in a dictionary later.look it up in a dictionary later.

If you dont possess a goodIf you dont possess a gooddictionary, i.e. at least two inchesdictionary, i.e. at least two inchesthick, buy one now.thick, buy one now.

Or, get a good dictionary and aOr, get a good dictionary and a

thesaurus as a software package forthesaurus as a software package foryour computer, or better still on a cdyour computer, or better still on a cd--rom.rom.


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Root of affixRoot of affixMeaningMeaning ExampleExample

Ante (L)Ante (L) BeforeBefore AntecedentAntecedent

Anti (G)Anti (G) Against Against AntibioticAntibiotic

Amphi (G) Amphi (G) Around, bothAround, bothsidessides

AmphitheatreAmphitheatre

Aqua (L)Aqua (L) WaterWater AquariumAquarium

Audio (L)Audio (L) HearHear AuditoriumAuditorium

Bene (L)Bene (L) WellWell BenefitBenefit


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Bio (G)Bio (G) LifeLife BiographyBiography

Circum (L)Circum (L) Around Around CircumferenCircumference

Corpus (L)Corpus (L) BodyBody CorporateCorporate

Dia (G)Dia (G) Across, through Across, through DiameterDiameterGraph (G)Graph (G) Write, recordWrite, record PhotographPhotograph

Hyper (G)Hyper (G) Over, excessiveOver, excessive HypertensionHypertension

Hypo (G)Hypo (G) Under,Under,inadequateinadequate

HypotensionHypotension

Test your vocabularyTest your vocabulary


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Test your vocabularyTest your vocabularyNefariousNefarious dangerousdangerous SuspiciousSuspicious EvilEvil DistantDistant

Censure

Censure SuppressSuppress RejectReject BlameBlame DeleteDelete

NebulousNebulous TransparentTransparent Vague Vague FatFat LuminousLuminous

SalutarySalutary BeneficialBeneficial CourteousCourteous RespectedRespected RestfulRestful

TortuousTortuous Arduous Arduous CautiousCautious SlowSlow windingwinding

PremisePremise BasicBasicassumptionassumption

a buildinga building ForewordForeword Abstract ideaAbstract idea

CredibleCredible SuperstitiousSuperstitious ScepticalSceptical PraiseworthyPraiseworthy BelievableBelievable

InvalidateInvalidate OverwhelmOverwhelm CancelCancel InjureInjure VerifyVerify

BizarreBizarre OddOdd A market A market ComicalComical ColorfulColorful

Defunct

Defunct WickedWicked ForbiddenForbidden ExtinctExtinct HopelessHopeless


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NefariousNefarious ; evil; vicious, villainous; e.g.; evil; vicious, villainous; e.g.nefarious plot (Latin:nefarious plot (Latin:-- wrong,wrong,

crime).crime).Censure;Censure; to blame; criticize; reprimandto blame; criticize; reprimand

officially; e.g. to censure a memberofficially; e.g. to censure a memberof Parliament (Latin:of Parliament (Latin: censerecensere-- toto

assess).assess).Nebulous;Nebulous; vague or unclear; hazy;vague or unclear; hazy;

cloudcloud--like; e.g. a nebulouslike; e.g. a nebulousstatement (Latin:statement (Latin: nebulanebula-- mist).mist).

Salutary;Salutary; beneficial; promising health;beneficial; promising health;wholesome; e.g. a salutarywholesome; e.g. a salutaryexperience (Latin:experience (Latin: salussalus-- health)health)


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Tortuous;Tortuous; winding; full of twists andwinding; full of twists andturns; e.g. a tortuous path; also,turns; e.g. a tortuous path; also,

devious; e.g. a tortuous argumentdevious; e.g. a tortuous argument(Latin:(Latin: torqueretorquere to twist).to twist).

Premise;Premise; basic assumption;basic assumption;proposition from which aproposition from which a

conclusion may be drawn: Heconclusion may be drawn: Hestarted with a premise that Allstarted with a premise that Allmen are mortal (Latin:men are mortal (Latin:praemitterepraemittere-- to place ahead).to place ahead).

CredibleCredible ; believable; apparently; believable; apparentlyworthy of belief or confidence; e.g.worthy of belief or confidence; e.g.a credible story (Latin:a credible story (Latin: crederecredere-- totobelieve).believe).


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InvalidateInvalidate; cancel; render of no; cancel; render of noforce or effect; e.g. to invalidateforce or effect; e.g. to invalidate

a will (Latin:a will (Latin: invalidusinvalidus-- weak).weak). BizarreBizarre; odd; eccentric; fantastic;; odd; eccentric; fantastic;

strikingly out of the ordinary, orstrikingly out of the ordinary, orat variance with acceptedat variance with acceptedstandards; e.g. bizarre behaviorstandards; e.g. bizarre behavior(Italian:(Italian: bizzarobizzaro-- gallant,gallant,brave).brave).

Defunct;Defunct; extinct; dead; e.g.extinct; dead; e.g.defunct system (Latin:defunct system (Latin: defunctusdefunctusfromfrom defungidefungi-- to finish,to finish,discharge)discharge)

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