How To Speed Read – 6 Easy Techniques
Learn How To Speed Read – A Tutorial Teaching 6 Speed Reading Techniques
Reading is a universal activity and certainly one of the most important skills to gain new knowledge or access information. So, how can we organize this process most effectively and efficiently? This is where speed reading comes into play, and the good news is anyone can learn how to speed read. It’s a powerful asset to expand your knowledge, enhance your learning experience or boost your career.
This tutorial will show you how to comprehend better while reading faster. You may easily enhance your skills by understanding the powerful combination of speed reading techniques available. An infographic at the end of this post will also summarize some of these core concepts.
Explore three major approaches to get started:
- Traditional offline methods (local classes, books or self-teaching)
- Online Courses (guided)
- Desktop software (guided)
Try it out: This tutorial will encourage you to teach yourself how to speed read. Each chapter will offer additional reading resources that will cover speed reading techniques in more detail. Please see the table below for inspiration if you are more looking for a class.
| Iris Reading | Spreeder | Rev It Up Reading | SuperLearner 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website |
| from $50 | from $7 | from $49 | from $11.99 |
| Online or Class | Online Tutor | 5 Hour Course | Udemy Course |
| ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
1. Hand Pacing Technique
Hand pacing is a simple and quick reading improvement technique allowing you to read faster while maintaining a steady level of apprehension. Have you ever heard of the pointer method? Most of us learned it during our school days but for some reason, we stopped using this technique as we grew up.
The pointer method was developed by the creator of speed reading, Evelyn Wood. It involves moving the index finger or a pointer across the page and below the sentence you are going to read. This will sharpen your overall focus and speed. Pacing yourself is the quickest way to learn how to speed read.
2. Scanning and Previewing
Scanning and previewing techniques enhance your skill to quickly capture the central idea of what you plan to read. These techniques will teach you to scan for numbers, names and trigger words.
With practice, you will up your speed to identify key sentences in a paragraph. Expert speed readers are able to skim and comprehend a whole page within seconds.
When using this technique, make sure to look for items such as lists, points, graphs, indexes and subheadings. Identify these key items before getting into detail.
3. Reading Chunks of Words
Reading groups of words are one of the key skills to gain when learning how to speed read. It is also one of the most time-consuming speed reading techniques to learn.
As the name suggests, the technique involves reading chunks of words rather than individual words. The goal is to reduce the number of “stops” your eyes perform as you read. Once you start taking chunks of words, your comprehension rate and with that your quick reading abilities will improve a great deal.
To get started read this article on reading chunks of words. It provides essential tips and materials. Well, the three speed reading techniques discussed above are meant to pace you up. In the next chapter, we will look at some techniques to boost your apprehension and recalling abilities.
4. How To Improve Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension is the capability to read a text, process it and apprehend it. This may sound simple, but it is actually not. Understanding can be a difficult concept. The brain processes new knowledge with full cognizance of the existing cognitive structure.
This means that the new knowledge must be related to other knowledge that is already stored in the brain. The way you comprehend (or understand) what you read will depend upon the association made with the knowledge structure you already have.
Why is it important?
There is no point to read fast if you cannot apprehend the meaning of the text or if you cannot ingrain new information into existing memory structures. However, there is much that you can do to develop your comprehension rate and it will benefit you while learning how to speed read.
How to speed read and boost apprehension?
✓ Improve your vocabulary. To understand what we read, we need to know the meaning of the words used. However, so many words have many meanings that depend upon the context within which they are used. Improving your vocabulary, therefore, does entail memorizing new words and studying the different contexts within which those words can be used to convey different meanings.
✓ Visualization & memory techniques. Human comprehension depends upon the ability to visualize and memorize. If you master techniques such as brain maps or building a memory palace you will be much better able to visualize and memorize new information and you will most certainly enhance your apprehension in the process. Apart from a better understanding, you will also be able to recall information more reliable.
✓ Take notes and summarize. When you take notes you are forcing yourself to interpret what you read. If you find it very difficult to summarize text into short notes you know that you have not fully grasped the text. It is best to summarize only once you have (speed) read a logical section of text that deals with a specific concept.
✓ Keep the subject matter in mind. If you keep the author’s or a chapter’s main subject in mind when you read, you will find it much easier to understand the true meaning of specific words or phrases. For example, if you read a book about machine learning, using the term “elegant” will refer to a sophisticated programming technique, not to a well-dressed person.
✓ Preview the text. Because comprehension depends a lot on your ability to understand the meaning of words and phrases within their context, you may benefit from skimming the text before you actually start to read. This speed reading technique has been discussed above and will help you to understand the author’s main idea quickly.
✓ Ask yourself questions. After previewing, jot down the main questions you want to find an answer to. When you read, frequently questions relating to the text you have read. This will help you organize your thinking and verbalize the meaning you derived from the text. You will find it much easier to relate your new knowledge to existing memory structures.
5. Reverse Bad Reading Habits
To increase the effectiveness of your reading, be aware that certain habits can reduce efficiency. Many develop those bad reading habits as a child during school.
Subvocalization (saying the words in your head) and regression (stepping back in text) are the most common ones. They will often slow you down and have an adverse impact on your apprehension and text processing ability.
You may also face problems when reading in an unsuitable environment with poor light or loud sounds or when you are just tired. However, you can easily manage these issues if you are willing to set up the right conditions for your reading or studying.
Just a few tips to tackle bad habits
- Try to tackle habits individually in order to reduce or eliminate them.
- Skim and scan before you read. Use linear and cross-shaped hand pacing patterns.
- While scanning, look for unfamiliar words and deliberately subvocalize them.
- This will help reduce the temptation to subvocalize them later.
- Count numbers, sum a melody or chew gum to reduce subvocalization.
- Resist going back in text. You will not miss important facts.
- Discipline your eyes. Train them to read smoothly from left to right.
There is a lot of material that you can read on the subject of overcoming bad habits. The University of Alabama’s Center for Academic Success offers a simple list of how to correct these habits.
In the previous paragraphs, we covered essential speed reading techniques you can try on your own. In the next ones, we will discuss some popular software to assist you further.
6. Learn How To Speed Read – Tools
You can either use the software, enroll in an online course or attend a live class to learn how to speed read. This can be a very effective approach as those courses focus on advanced speed reading techniques and scientific methods to help you eliminate bad habits and offer efficient speed reading exercises and tests.
Below are four popular resources that are helpful and effective by many students worldwide. However, these are just two recommendations, and we encourage you to do your research before enrolling in a class of your choice.
Iris Reading
Iris Reading is one of the most recognized institutions to learn how to read faster. You may book a live class in many cities in the U.S. and Canada. Iris also offers in-person classes in the U.K., India, China, Brazil, Russia or Singapore. Alternatively, you may enroll yourself in one of their online video courses.
7-Speed-Reading
Spreeder (7-Speed-Reading) refers to scientific learning techniques teaching you how to speed read effectively. The strategies are particularly designed to facilitate the natural learning curve of students, adult learners and professionals. Most users, therefore, review the program as effective, interactive and fun.
A great value is the in-depth video training featuring six globally recognized experts. The topics range from memory improvement to handling workload more efficiently to advanced quick reading techniques. The tool also comes with a built-in speed eReader.
Become a SuperLearner
Become a SuperLearner will not only increase your reading speed but also to boost your memory capabilities. The goal is to combine speed with improved abilities in memory, recalling, retention and apprehension.
SuperLearner is instructed by recognized teachers who themselves have extensive experience in the art of learning and memory improvements. Students will learn to memorize and recall large amounts of information.
Eye-Hop™ by Alchemy Training Unlimited
This is a (free) resource to practice word-group-reading either online or offline in a physical format. This tool will help develop your comprehension and overall focus as you will learn to read multiple words at once. It will assist you in becoming faster and focused.
For material please visit Ron Cole’s website. It offers four PDF files for download. Each PDF includes instructions, found at the end of the file. A tool allows you to also generate sheets with your own speed reading exercises there.
Read Faster – Complimentary Tips
1. Apply what you read
You may know how to speed read and consume many books a year. That is good. However, you will need to ingrain all those information delivered through books into your daily life. Otherwise, it becomes useless knowledge.
Take action – Books are tools, and tools are meant to improve a skill. Use skimming and scanning and other approaches to speed read a book in order to extract the core information and immediately apply those insights to your projects, ideas, habits or activities.
Review your actions – Use books to take your notes and come back for brief reviews. Apply regular feedback reviews to evaluate whether you have implemented a new skill or forgotten about it again. Keep practicing, and they turn books into action.
2. Consider a quick reading speed test
There are many online tests available and it can be very beneficial to do one before you actually start learning how to speed read. Below are the steps to rather do a manual test.
A manual test is very simple; just grab a book and a stopwatch. Start reading a paragraph and time yourself. You can follow these steps for a quick and easy result:
- Select a book of your choice.
- Choose a paragraph to read.
- Time yourself. Monitor how long it takes to read a complete paragraph.
- Count the words you have just read.
- Consider the time and words as a benchmark you can improve.
- Try to build your speed continuously. Remember to quantify your performance.
Always start at a normal speed as rushing will decrease accuracy. You may choose paragraphs on different pages to achieve a precise time measurement. You can use the results as a measure of performance and boost your speed while trying different practices.
3. Relax and train your eye muscles
Being able to speed read can be compared with physical training in a metaphorical way. Like athletes who develop physical skills to use in their sport, the speed reader needs their eye muscles to be in good condition. Just as with other muscles, the eye muscles also need care and training, which will benefit the reader in many ways.
Eyes can get exhausted very quickly, and this makes reading a challenge. A good technique is to give your eyes a rest between training or quick reading sessions. Do not strain the muscles too much because with the training, you will develop your muscles eventually.
How to Speed Read – Last but not Least
This blog post by Tim Ferris packs the whole “reading-improvement” topic into a 10-minute program, which I personally find really insightful.
Have you got any suggestions about how to speed read? I look forward to hearing from you. Feel free to share further speed reading techniques in the comments. Below is also an infographic with useful tips, and some FAQ questions summarizing key insights. Thanks a lot for reading.
Click the “Share” buttons below to add the infographic to your Pinterest board.
FAQ Questions and Answers – How To Speed Read
How to speed read? Quick Tips
- Preview and skim material. Set a reading goal.
- Ask questions Who, Where, What, When, Why and How.
- Use your finger, a pen or a mouse as a pacing tool.
- Read chunks of words. Start with 2-3 phrases then move up.
- Improve vocabulary to identify words faster.
- Improve memory skills to better remember and recall information.
- Get rid of limiting reading habits.
What is speed reading techniques?
It is a powerful asset of effective techniques to boost speed, develop better comprehension, reduce regression or preview material such as books, articles and documents quickly. The most common speed reading techniques include hand pacing, previewing and chunking.
What is the meaning of subvocalization?
Do you pronounce or subvocalize the words when you read them? Subvocalization is recognized as a bad reading habit as it will slow down readers. When learning to speed read, the goal is to eliminate subvocalization and rather visualize information.
How fast is speed reading?
To speed read material is processing written material significantly faster than the average reader. There is no specific minimum speed. However, a minimum of 350-400WPM (words per minute) is considered to be reasonable. A well-structured training program can increase average reading speeds up to 600wpm while keeping comprehension at 80-90%.
How can I increase my reading speed and comprehension?
- Improve your vocabulary. Learn common prefixes and suffixes.
- Apply visualization & memory techniques.
- Take notes and summarize. Create mind maps.
- Keep the subject matter in mind.
- Preview the text and get the author’s main idea.
- Ask relevant questions before you read.
Should I read more to read faster?
Yes, practicing is key, and you will certainly level up the more you apply the techniques to speed read. There’s an ocean of information available to you, and more are added every day. The more you read, the more you know – the more you know, the more successful you can become.
Is knowing how to speed read an essential 21st-century skill?
Self-education and self-development have proven to be two efficient methods for improving your success potential. No one was born with fully-developed qualifications; these are acquired through training. Knowing how to speed read is one such skill. By mastering this skill, you can see your knowledge database exponentially increase. Read a lot and your chances of succeeding professionally, personally, socially, and financially will instantly increase.
How to keep up concentration when I speed read?
Consequently, minimize distractions and reduce those activities that may cause disturbance or take your focus away from reading.
- Read without distraction. Turn off television, radio, email and your cell phone.
- Read while sitting in a proper posture, ideally on a chair with your feet touching the ground.
- Take breaks, i.e. speed read in 50-minute chunks with a 10-minute break in between.
Do fast readers use both sides of the brain?
Yes, the left and the right side of the brain are being used simultaneously. The left side controls numerous things including scientific ability, number skills and spoken languages. The right side controls things like creativity, visualization, memorization and imagination. People who know how to use both sides of their brain can simultaneously develop incredible reading speeds and retain information more efficiently.
4 Mind mapping principles to use with quick reading systems
- Summarize the main idea into one central image.
- Add important topics to that central idea using branches.
- Use 3-5 twigs to further diversify the topic.
- Branches and twigs form a visual structure to review key information.
Resources: Evelyn Wood – Wikipedia
Image credits:
Karim Ghantous on Unsplash | Staples eReader Department | Abhi Sharma, Books HD | Andrew Kuznetsov, Wow | Sudhamshu Hebbar, You’re it
Please share this tutorial. If you have further tips about how to speed read effectively, please share your thoughts in the comments below.