7 Critical Elements of Speed Reading: How to Read More in Less Time

Reading is an essential skill that opens up the mind and enables individuals to gain knowledge and information. However, not everyone has the luxury of time to read as much as they want. That’s where speed reading comes in – the practice of reading quickly without sacrificing comprehension. In this article, we’ll cover 7 critical elements of speed reading and how they can help you read more in less time.

1. Don’t Repeat

Have you ever caught yourself reading aloud or mouthing the words in your head? This slows down your reading speed significantly. The secret to speed reading is to read with your eyes only. So, instead of repeating the words, say something else in your mind like counting or reciting a simple rhyme. This mental activity helps free up your mind, allowing you to focus on reading with your eyes.

2. Read With Your Finger

One way to improve speed while reading is to trace each line with your finger. This helps you to control your reading speed, allowing you to speed up or slow down as necessary. Remember that your finger determines the speed of your reading, not the other way around. Once you set a pace, stick to it.

3. Focus

While this may seem obvious, maintaining focus throughout a text is crucial for speed reading. Distractions such as internal thoughts, wandering eyes, or outside noises can slow down your reading speed. Start by finding a quiet environment and make a conscious effort to stay focused on the text.

4. The Third Word Rule

You can save time reading by starting each line on the third word and ending on the third word from the end. This rule enables for the use of peripheral vision – the ability to see the words on either side of the focus point. This technique trains your eyes to capture the essential information in a line, ultimately allowing for faster reading with comprehension.

5. Don’t Read Every Word Separately

Reading every single word in a text separately slows down reading speed. Try to read in fragments of two or three words, and then move your eyes to the next fragment. This technique allows your brain to process multiple words at once, allowing you to comprehend faster.

6. Don’t Skip Back

Often times, readers will skip back to re-read a word or sentence. This habit slows down your reading speed and comprehension. Start by acknowledging that you have this habit and focus on breaking it. Reading with your finger can be helpful in staying focused on the text, reducing the need to skip back to re-read.

7. Start Too Fast

It may seem counterintuitive, but starting too fast can improve your overall reading speed. When you start reading faster than your usual pace, your brain is forced to focus, thus improving your reading comprehension. Start out by reading a page too quickly to understand everything and then slowing down to find your comfortable pace.

In Conclusion

Practicing these seven critical elements of speed reading can significantly increase your reading speed and comprehension. Remember to maintain focus, avoid repeating words, and not to skip back. Also, read with your finger, start too fast, and don’t read each word separately. With these techniques, you can save time, read more books, and gain more knowledge and information. So get started on your speed reading journey today!