Okay, so I’m really trying to get the hang of speed reading. I’ve been practicing using some apps and online resources for about a month now, but I feel like I’m not improving as much as I hoped. I think I’m faster, but I’m worried I’m not actually retaining anything!
Specifically, I’m reading mostly non-fiction: research papers for my classes (I’m a grad student) and business articles to keep up with my field. Sometimes I try to use it with novels, but it’s less critical there.
I’m hoping to avoid some common pitfalls that might be hindering my progress. Are there some big mistakes people make when learning to speed read, and what can I do to avoid them? For example, I’ve heard about subvocalization – is that always a bad thing, or are there situations where it’s okay? Also, is it a mistake to try and speed read everything, or should I reserve it for certain types of material? I’m also curious if different techniques are better suited for different types of reading material. Any tips are welcome!
Answer
Common mistakes to avoid when speed reading include:
1. Subvocalization (Saying Words Internally):
- Description: This is the most prevalent and significant barrier to speed reading. It’s the unconscious habit of mentally pronouncing each word as you read it.
- Why it’s a problem: It limits your reading speed to your speaking speed, which is significantly slower than the speed at which your eyes can process information. You are essentially "hearing" the words instead of directly comprehending them.
- How to overcome:
- Conscious Awareness: Be acutely aware of when you are subvocalizing. Pay attention to the subtle movements in your throat or jaw.
- Distraction Techniques:
- Humming: Gently hum a simple tune while reading. This occupies the part of your brain responsible for vocalization.
- Counting: Silently count numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3…) as you read.
- Chewing Gum: The physical act of chewing can interfere with the impulse to subvocalize.
- Finger Pacing/Pointing: Using a finger or pointer to guide your eyes across the page can help break the habit of focusing on individual words and encourage faster eye movement.
- Progressive Speed Increase: Gradually increase your reading speed. As you read faster, it becomes more difficult to subvocalize every word.
2. Regression (Re-reading Words or Sentences):
- Description: The habit of unconsciously going back and re-reading words or phrases you’ve already covered.
- Why it’s a problem: It wastes time and breaks your concentration, hindering both speed and comprehension. Often stems from a lack of confidence in your understanding or from distractions.
- How to overcome:
- Underlying Cause Identification: Determine why you are regressing. Is it due to difficult vocabulary, complex sentence structure, lack of focus, or simply habit?
- Conscious Avoidance: Make a deliberate effort to resist the urge to go back. Trust that your brain can fill in the gaps.
- Pacing Techniques: Using a finger, pen, or pointer to guide your eyes at a steady pace can prevent regression.
- Focus and Concentration: Minimize distractions and actively focus on the material.
- Improved Comprehension Skills: Strengthening your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills can reduce the need to regress.
3. Fixation (Stopping at Each Word):
- Description: The tendency to stop your eyes at each individual word instead of taking in groups of words or phrases.
- Why it’s a problem: It significantly slows down your reading speed. Your eyes are capable of perceiving multiple words at a time.
- How to overcome:
- Eye Movement Exercises: Practice expanding your visual span. Try to fixate on fewer points per line.
- Chunking: Train yourself to read groups of words (chunks) at a time.
- Pacing: Using a guide (finger or pen) and moving it steadily across the page forces you to take in more words with each fixation.
- Pre-reading/Skimming: Quickly scan the text to get an overview before reading in detail. This can help you anticipate the content and process the information more efficiently.
4. Narrow Eye Span/Peripheral Vision Neglect:
- Description: Failing to utilize your peripheral vision to take in multiple words at once. Focusing only on the center of the word, limiting the amount of information processed per fixation.
- Why it’s a problem: Reduces the amount of information you can gather per glance, making reading inefficient.
- How to overcome:
- Eye Span Exercises: Practice focusing on a central point and consciously expanding your awareness to the words on either side.
- Column Reading: Train yourself to read down the center of a column of text, allowing your peripheral vision to take in the words on either side.
- Use a Pacer: A pacer can help guide your eyes and encourage you to take in more words per fixation.
5. Lack of Focus and Concentration:
- Description: Allowing your mind to wander, leading to decreased comprehension and the need to re-read passages.
- Why it’s a problem: Reduces reading speed and comprehension, negating the benefits of speed reading techniques.
- How to overcome:
- Minimize Distractions: Choose a quiet environment free from interruptions.
- Set a Purpose: Have a clear goal in mind before you start reading (e.g., "I want to understand the main arguments in this article").
- Active Reading: Engage with the material by asking questions, summarizing paragraphs, or taking notes.
- Time Management: Read in shorter, focused bursts with breaks in between.
- Mindfulness Techniques: Practicing mindfulness or meditation can improve your ability to focus and stay present.
6. Poor Comprehension Checking:
- Description: Focusing solely on speed without ensuring you understand the material.
- Why it’s a problem: Defeats the purpose of reading. Speed without comprehension is useless.
- How to overcome:
- Regularly Test Yourself: After reading a section, ask yourself questions about the content.
- Summarize: Try to summarize the main points in your own words.
- Take Notes: Jot down key ideas and concepts.
- Adjust Speed: If you find your comprehension is suffering, slow down. Speed reading is not about reading everything at the same speed; it’s about adapting your speed to the difficulty of the material.
7. Inflexible Reading Speed:
- Description: Reading all materials at the same speed, regardless of complexity or purpose.
- Why it’s a problem: Not all texts require the same level of attention. Complex material requires slower, more deliberate reading.
- How to overcome:
- Adaptability: Learn to adjust your reading speed based on the material’s difficulty, your familiarity with the topic, and your reading goals.
- Skimming and Scanning: Use skimming and scanning techniques to get an overview of less important material.
- Focused Reading: Slow down and read carefully when you encounter complex or important information.
8. Lack of Practice:
- Description: Expecting to become a proficient speed reader overnight without consistent practice.
- Why it’s a problem: Speed reading is a skill that requires time and effort to develop.
- How to overcome:
- Regular Practice: Dedicate time each day to practice speed reading techniques.
- Variety of Materials: Practice with different types of texts (e.g., novels, articles, textbooks).
- Track Progress: Monitor your reading speed and comprehension to track your improvement and identify areas where you need to focus.
9. Ignoring Visual Clues:
- Description: Overlooking headings, subheadings, bold text, italics, and other visual cues that provide context and highlight important information.
- Why it’s a problem: These clues can significantly improve your comprehension and efficiency.
- How to overcome:
- Active Scanning: Pay attention to visual cues before and during reading.
- Use Headings as Roadmaps: Treat headings and subheadings as a roadmap for the text.
- Identify Key Words: Focus on bolded, italicized, or underlined words to quickly identify important concepts.
10. Tension:
- Description: Reading while feeling tense or stressed.
- Why it’s a problem: Tension can inhibit focus and hinder your ability to process information efficiently.
- How to overcome:
- Relaxation Techniques: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation before reading.
- Good Posture: Maintain good posture to reduce physical tension.
- Comfortable Environment: Choose a comfortable reading environment.
By consciously addressing these common mistakes, you can significantly improve your speed reading skills and achieve better comprehension and efficiency. Remember that consistency and practice are key to success.
