To become a better reader means getting faster and more efficient at reading, and understanding what you’re reading. Increasing reading speed is a process of controlling fine motor movement period. Have an idea that what you’re reading about, not just reading and forgetting or failing to grasp the contents.
Reading involves a pre-conscious level of awareness that naturally stimulates creativity, rapid information assimilation while opening the doors to non-judgmental learning. While reading, we are essentially shutting-off the conscious critical mind from the learning cycle. Even though the conscious mind is essential for stimulating your short and long-term memory, its due to the habitual preconceived ideas and notions about the information you are learning.
In the modern age of information, reading truly is a fundamental survival skill. Here are tips that anyone can use to improve their reading skills:
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Only Move Eyes while Reading
Using this method you can effectively accelerate your reading speed anywhere from 20% to 30%. Your vision will allow you to see more of the page in one glance without having to move your eyes across the page left to right. the most proficient speed readers actually only move their eyes down the center of a page to capture words and phrases that lie off-center.
Focus
Remember, you’re reading with a purpose, so focus on that purpose and the material. When you start getting bored or need a break, take one. Reading should be fun and enjoyable, don’t force it. After your break, return to where you were, and continue. Be choosy and select the chapters and articles that are important. This simple technique helps you focus and increase your concentration.
Skimming
Skimming is the process of speedy reading for general meaning. Let your eyes skip over sentences or phrases which contain detail. Concentrate on identifying the central or main points. This technique is used to pre-view a section of text prior to detailed reading and refresh your understanding of a section of text following detailed reading. Using this method, you can effectively accelerate your reading speed anywhere from 10% to 20%.
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Reduce Amount of Skip-backs
We naturally slowdown our speed of reading because of simple skip-backs, which involves re-reading words and sentences over and over again. Many of us take part in this time wasting habit, because as children we were told by our teachers that we must go back and re-read words that were mispronounced. Using this method you can effectively accelerate your reading speed anywhere from 25% to 50%.
Don’t Move Lips or Make Noises while Reading
Our eyes can recognize words and sentence structures far more quickly then we can articulate them aloud. Hence, if you are verbalizing the words you are reading inside your head or through the process of just moving your lips, then you are dramatically slowing down your speed of reading. Using this method you can effectively accelerate your reading speed.
Form Mental Visual Mind Maps while Reading
In order to improve your comprehension of the information you are reading, it is important to form ongoing visual mind map images of each sentence, paragraph, topic and chapter throughout the reading process.
You don’t have to be a great reader to get the point.
Some people read fast and remember everything. Others read slowly and take a couple of times to get all the information. It doesn’t matter, really, so long as when you read, you get the information you’re seeking. Don’t need to read everything doing this will double the amount of time you have available to read.
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Know WHY you’re reading.
Decide why you’re reading before you start and you’ll greatly improve your comprehension and your enjoyment.
Optimize your reading environment.
You’ll read faster and comprehend more if you read in an environment that’s comfortable for you.
Practice, Practice and Practice Some More
Finally, you will not improve your reading speed by thinking about these techniques and strategies. The key is to practice, practice and practice each and everyday. Through consistent practice over time you will progressively accelerate your reading speed beyond its present capabilities and limitations. The more you read, the better reader you’ll become (and smarter, too)! So, feed your mind: read!
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