How to read faster
I
love reading books of different genres, from fantasy to science
fiction, from psychology to computer books. So I wonder how to have time
to read all the books of interest in a relatively short time? Here is a
summary of some
speed reading techniques. If you follow the recommendations listed below, you can increase the reading speed at least
twice. For example, you will be able to read the book “The Da Vinci Code” in 8 hours!
Spend a few minutes for
reviewing this book. You need
to know what this book is about and what genre it is of. Look through
the contents, the summary, glance through the book to find pictures.
Decide on
what part of the book
you will read. It is especially important for non-fiction books. A few
of books contain material you require from the first to the last
page. Find out, for example, which chapters will give you 80% of the
required information. Also miss the introduction, the subject index and
other service areas.
Sit up straight in
a relaxing atmosphere. It’s
easier to digest information in a quiet, well-lighted place. Avoid TV,
radio, and any noise. You shouldn’t distract yourself from reading in
order to be able to turn pages fast.
There are various methods of
speed reading. Some
recommend to “jump” through the text, others – to read from the top of
the page to the bottom, etc. One of the most promising methods is an eye
movement
from left to right along a straight line at a speed of
one line per second. Even
if you don’t manage to make sense of some words, your brain will
restore the sense of the whole phrase/sentence. The point is to practice
and to persevere.
The most common problem of all the readers is
the habit of pronouncing words while reading. It greatly reduces the reading speed. To avoid this, imagine that you are holding your breath and can’t speak.
Focus on what you are reading. How many times does
your mind wander in the process of reading? I think a few times for
sure. Try to focus on what you are reading, otherwise after a while you
won’t be able to remember what the book was about. And it is a waste of
time.
You can use these tips for all types of the printed word – websites,
articles, books, magazines, reports, etc. There is only one
exception. If you want to read a great work of art, there is no need to
rush. Read it slowly, thoughtfully. Knowing that you can read it 2-3
times faster will make you more confident and optimistic.