Hobbies And Interests
Past Learning
Unlearn what you have been taught. Traditional scientific views are that eye movement determines reading speed and that speed is capped at around 600 words per minute. Common folklore suggests that the slower you read the greater your comprehension, especially when the material is difficult. You were taught that the only way to read is sequentially from left to right. Speed reading techniques teach different methods.
Break Bad Habits
Break bad habits. Speed reading proponents maintain the reason people read slowly is because they allow their eyes and brains to become fixated on every single word. Many people move their lips when they read and vocalize out loud or stop to play in their head the sound of each word. These are bad habits taught early in school. By skimming each word and continuing without stopping even if you do not understand the odd word, you will understand more and read much faster.
Use Your Finger
Use your finger as a pacer. You should begin to master the pacing technique by moving your pointer finger under the words at a slow but steady pace. When you reach the end of a line, lift your finger up and move it to the left to begin a new line. Practice pacing your speed with your finger until you get used to it. Gradually increase the speed at which you move your finger across the words to increase your reading speed. Eventually move to adjust your finger from this kind of jerky movement to using more of an "S" shape.
Groups of Words
Look at groups of words instead of looking sequentially at each word from left to right. So, in the first sentence in this section, instead of reading the word "look" followed by "at" and then "groups," you would read chunks like "look at groups" and "instead of looking." Speed reading advocates indicate that your brain will adjust to read chunks of words at one time rather than one at a time if you practice grouping.