Speed reading: Learn The 5 Techniques To Read Faster
Speed Reading It is the art of silencing subvocalization. Most readers have a reading speed of about 200 words per minute, which is the same speed at which people usually read aloud. The inner voice is what determines this reading speed, and what prevents us from achieving a higher reading speed, since we have been taught to read this way.
Anyway, it is possible to read faster and with a better understanding of texts or novels The solution is simple: absorb the reading faster than the inner voice thanks to different techniques. For example, follow the reading with your finger so that the reading is faster than it usually is. This happens because it is easier for the eye to follow movement than to read word by word.
As we have mentioned, one of the most frequent errors that are usually made when reading is subvocalization. But what is subvocalication? Well, subvocalization It consists of mentally repeating each word as you read This is what reduces reading time and works very poorly if what you want is to save time and be able to read much more.
And why does this happen? Well, because when you subvocalize the reading and mentally repeat the words as you read them, the words captured by your eyes pass to the acoustic system (that is, to the ear) and then to the brain. Instead, If you eliminate subvocalization, you eliminate the passage of the acoustic system and what you read goes directly from sight to the brain
Speed reading makes it possible for you to read more reading material. In addition, it allows you to have more time to read other texts or books that you would like to read. As your speed reading skills improve, you will become more skilled at noticing important details within the material you read, and you will be able to retain more material than you would without these techniques.
But it is possible that right now, if you don’t know these techniques, you are using habits that harm your reading speed. These are one of the factors that negatively influence your ability to read:
Some speed reading techniques
There are many techniques that can be used for speed reading, and these can be learned in courses or workshops. Knowing these techniques will not only allow you to read at a faster speed, but it can provide a better quality of life, to the extent that your reading, comprehension and retention will improve over time.
First of all, it is important to know that there are different reading techniques for different situations (reading for enjoyment, searching for information, to complete a task, etc.) and, therefore, It is necessary to choose the technique that is needed depending on the purpose for reading Below we leave you some of the best-known techniques (not all) that are used for speed reading.
1. Preparation and ergonomics in reading
Before using any technique It is necessary that you evaluate the context in which you are going to read and adjust it if necessary Sit comfortably in a chair and in a place where you will be able to read without distractions, with your head slightly tilted forward, adjust the light so that it does not tire your eyes, assume a patient and positive attitude, etc.
If you are going to read from a computer, a tablet or an ebook, make sure your screen is clean, without glare. Adjust its colors if necessary, as the best way to see text is to use dark letters on a light background.
2. Use a guide
To read faster, you can use your finger, a ruler or a pencil (or better your eraser) to follow the reading under each line. This helps you focus your eyes and it is less difficult for the eye to follow the movement than to read word by word.
3. Read the words as a group
This point is important to solve the problem of reading word by word and, in this way, reduce subvocalization. As you read the word, your eyes focus on that word you are reading, which is known as primary focus. Despite this, your eyes can cover a wider field of vision, in which both sides of the primary focus are displayed. This area, which makes up the primary focus and a certain distance on both sides, is known as the focal field or peripheral vision.
Some people have a focal field of three or four words, others have a wider peripheral vision. This point can be complicated to carry out, but it only requires practice.
4. Read from the third word
Once you have learned to master the previous point, it is possible to read from the third word at the beginning of the paragraph and finish at the third word before the end of the paragraph. So untapped peripheral vision is used for the margins
He skimming refers to the search for the most important ideas by reading the first and last paragraphs, taking into account other organizational cues, such as summaries, used by the author.
It is useful in searching for information because helps to identify if the text is of interest, or when reading the newspaper In these cases Skimming is performed at a speed three to four times faster than normal reading. In addition, skimming allows you to have an initial idea of the text, which helps you read quickly, without having to use regression, that is, rereading again.
