Triple your reading speed

Most of us are slow readers by choice. This is because we have been trained to read slowly and silently in the classroom. In the good old days, there was a separate period for silent reading in most of the schools. This led to a generation of slow readers who take a long time to master a subject. It is only very recently that we realised the importance of fast reading.

Although we can scan newspapers in a few minutes, we cannot apply the same method for books which have to be read speedily and digested. One of the biggest mistakes we commit when reading books is to read them from cover to cover. To reap good results the reader has to be familiar with the book he is going to read. According to experts, first you have to read the title of the book. Then read the blurb on the back page and comments found in the jacket, if any. Look for the qualifications of the author and his experience so that you will be convinced that he is competent to write a book of that nature. You also have to know who the publisher is. There are reputed publishers such as Penguin and Oxford University that never publish trash. Be careful if it is an author publication. This is because some authors are relatively unknown.

The next step is to read the introduction. Most of us skip the introduction thinking that it has no relevance to our reading.

However, the introduction prepares you to read the text in a positive way. Then move on to the contents page and glance through it quickly.

This will further facilitate your reading and understanding of the contents. Without trying to read the book from chapter one, thumb the entire book making a mental note of the illustrations, pictures, and the general layout of the book. If there is an index, just glance through it because it will come handy later. Only then you are ready to read the book seriously.

A lot of American universities and other educational institutions pay attention to speed reading. From the mid-sixties to the early seventies, the Cutler Accelerated Method (CAM) was taught successfully in classrooms. Similar courses have been conducted in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi. These courses trained students to read at least 1,000 words per minute with improved comprehension. What is noteworthy is that students who learned the CAM began to read without neglecting the component of comprehension. Any speed reading will be meaningless if the student does not understand what he reads.

The first step in speed reading is that you should have self-confidence. If you think that you can become a speed reader, half the battle is won. Any psychologist will tell you that skills come with confidence. The biggest advantage in speed reading is that you will be able to read three books using the time you take to read just one book. When once you adapt yourself to speed reading, you will also reduce the normal fatigue that comes with reading.

When you become a speed reader, you can use your knowledge to pass examinations. You will also have a lot more leisure to indulge in your favourite hobbies. Psychologists say that an average person uses only about 10 percent of his mental capacity. In other words, he is wasting 90 percent of his mental power!

Before trying to embark on a speed reading course, first measure your present reading rate. For this simple test, you need a watch and some reading material preferably prepared for such a purpose. After noting down the time you start reading, go on reading at your normal speed.

For this test, do not read a chapter from a book you are familiar with. Select something new. After reading the chapter or the essay, divide the time you have taken by the number of minutes and find your rate of speed. What you have to remember is that speed alone is not sufficient. You have to comprehend what you read. For this purpose, you may need the help of a teacher or a friend to test your comprehension.

Most Sri Lankan schools and universities do not pay any attention to speed reading. Students are always advised to read, re-read and comprehend. As a result, students waste precious hours reading books and tutorials slowly trying to grab the essentials. A recent test conducted at a private institute showed that the speed of reading of an average student in Sri Lanka is about 150 words per minute. This is woefully inadequate for a student pursuing higher studies.

Our reading speed is determined by our eye movements. A slow reader’s eyes struggle over the printed words. He tends to read and re-read the words and sentences he has already read. He thinks that if he reads a certain sentence or paragraph several times, he will be able to remember it better. Unfortunately, slow reading does not help comprehension. On the contrary, it retards comprehension. Speed readers are trained to take in larger visual ‘bites’ as they move their eyes over the printed words. This is a clear indication that by reducing the eye movements you can speed up your reading.

When you are trained to read fast, you will also develop your comprehension capacity. This comes sometimes without your knowledge.

To read and comprehend what you read, your mind should be focused on the reading material. Sometimes, your mind tends to wander without allowing you to concentrate. Your mind may begin to wander due to many reasons.

If you have a splitting headache or a nagging domestic problem, you will not be able to understand what you read.

Competent editors and sub-editors are generally speed readers. They do not take much time to cull out the salient points in a long and rambling report. They can even read a budget report in a matter of minutes and come out with the most important points for the reader.

If you can read at least 1,000 words per minute, you can call yourself a speed reader. Read more in less time and use your brain power to the maximum.