R eading is a vital skill that we are encouraged to learn from a very young age, and for good reason–our world is filled with information and it’s increasing every day.
There’s no doubt that speed readers enjoy a decided edge especially in today’s info-saturated world, but have you ever wondered what speed reading actually is?
Introduction to Speed Reading
Just as its name suggests, speed reading refers to a technique that individuals can use to learn to improve his or her ability to read quickly. While the average adult reads at a rate of about 200 to 250 words per minute with 70% comprehension, speed readers are capable of reading around 500 words per minute, while maintaining or improving this level of comprehension.
The average adult reads at a rate of about 200 to 250 words per minute with 70% comprehension. Click To TweetBenefits of Speed Reading
Some may argue, “What’s the use of reading something quickly? Books are meant to be savored!” Yes, when we’re reading for pleasure, that’s absolutely true. There’s no reason to race through that new novel by your favorite author… unless you can’t wait to know the ending! Seriously, speed reading won’t deny you the pleasure of reading for leisure. You’ll learn to absorb entertaining material at an appropriate pace but with speed reading skills, you’ll have the added advantage of being able to quickly identify key points and important information in work-related articles and reports, read through your emails in a flash, and manage a mountain of paperwork more effectively.
Historical Background
People have always been interested in learning how to do things faster and better, including reading. At first, everyone just trained themselves to read faster, using their own self-developed methods with varying success. However, a more systematic approach to speed reading was only discovered in the late 1950s. Today, speed reading has gained recognition not only as a skill, but also as a “mind sport.” This is best represented at The World Championship Speed Reading Competition, where top contestants can typically read a staggering 1,000 to 2,000 words per minute!
Speed Reading Methods
People usually learn how to speed read by taking courses and employing learning aids like books, videos, and software, but what techniques do they learn, exactly? Well, the two main techniques to be learned are skimming and meta-guiding. The former involves a visual search of the sentences on a page for clues to meaning. With practice, readers will be able to skip all the “fluff” in an article, and derive only what’s important.
The two main techniques of Speed Reading are skimming and meta-guiding. Click To TweetThe latter technique—meta-guiding—employs a visual guide, like a finger or pointer. By drawing invisible shapes on a page of text, the visual span is widened. Not only will the eye move along faster across the page but the information will be imprinted into the subconscious mind for future retrieval. When combined, skimming and meta-guiding can help reduce subvocalization, which is the habit of reading the text “out loud,” whether verbally or in the mind.
Speed reading is undoubtedly a useful skill to learn especially in today’s world where it’s possible to drown in a sea of information and data.
Through the years, the ability to speed read has presented big advantages to everyone from politicians to academics to entertainers’ intent on reading through long movie scripts, and of course, to the man (and woman) on the street. It is a skill that never goes out of style and which will always greatly benefit anyone who makes the effort to learn it.
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