Speed Reading Techniques

By learning speed reading, one can master the art of reducing the amount of time taken to read a page. There are many advantages of being able to read pages faster, however, many people feel that if a person can speed read then he/she can't really comprehend what is written. This is as far from the truth as possible, as speed reading works only when there is full comprehension of the material.

Now, you do not have to be an autistic 'Rainman' like character to be able to apply these speed reading techniques, as anyone can learn how to do it. But at the end of the day, you must realize that not everyone can manage to read through 3-4 pages per minute. Some people have to read slower by nature, and this should not discourage them in any way. The whole point is to strive to increase one's reading speed without losing track of what one is reading.

Using the Hand
Here is one method that may enable you to read faster. Use your dominant hand to scan through the various lines on a page, and as your hand moves across the page follow it with your eyes. Keep the movement of your hand slow and steady and do not rush it. Go from line to line and soon, you'll find a way to perfect this technique. You'll also soon be able to develop a method where you won't have to read every single word, but you cannot start skipping words from the very beginning of your efforts to acquire this skill. The best techniques are those which enable you to actually anticipate the next words that are to come, and using your fingers to run through the page can greatly help you in this task.

Using the Card
This is a method that does not work for many people, but if it suits you, it can be extremely effective tool. Use a card of sorts or a folded piece of paper for this technique. The idea is to read a line and then cover it up using the card or the folded piece of paper. This is one of the best methods used by people who are known to read extremely fast. As you read a line, you may notice that you re-read the same line more than once. Covering up the line, after you have read it, prevents this from happening and also makes you read the line faster and pay more attention the first time that you read it. Run the card or the piece of paper down the page at a pace faster than you think you would read, and over time it will make you read faster. Do not force the issue though, as this method can sometimes hamper one's reading ability as well.

Using the Zigzag or the Loop
This is a method that can be used for material that does not require heavy reading, or the reading comprehension of every single word. The trick is to move your hand diagonally across lines and get a basic idea of the main words used and what they are trying to imply. For example, you start reading a line and midway through the line you jump to the end of the 3rd or 4th line. Then you quickly scan the lines in between in a loop instead of reading the entire line in a uniform manner. Again, keep in mind that this speed reading technique cannot work for all kinds of material, and it most certainly cannot work for every single person.

Using the Hop
This method teaches you to hop on a line using your fingertips, after every 3-5 words. The idea is to not read each and every single word, but to gather information from a few set of words here and there. When you start reading a line, use your fingertips and make them 'hop' at regular intervals. Depending on the size of the page, you can hop 2-4 times per line. It's important to remember not to overdo the hopping bit as that can lead to missing out on some important information, but there are certain phrases and words that can be easily skipped. These easy methods are meant to enhance the reading speed of an individual and increase their comprehension of the words they read, and if, one feels that these methods are hampering their understanding of the words, then they must not continue using these techniques.

Every individual has their own speed and their own requirements, but there is always scope for improvement. Instead of blindly applying some speed reading techniques and losing track of what is actually being read, every person should find their own unique way of speed reading. There are many easy techniques for kids as well, and if these are applied at a young age, the child can grow up to have immense reading speed. In the long run, it certainly helps an individual to have a faster reading speed than those around.