Reading speed

[Lionheart]

Hi. I'm new to the forum, and this is my first post.

I have decided that I do no read fast enough and would like to improve my reading speed while being able to retain most of what I've read. I have noticed that many of you are quite well-read and perhaps have confronted this problem before and know how to overcome it. If you do, I would be glad to receive your advice.

[jcs]

I believe it was Derrida who said that, of all the books he owned, he had only really read a handful of them.
Anything worth reading should be read slowly, and multiple times.

[Lionheart]

I believe it was Derrida who said that, of all the books he owned, he had only really read a handful of them.
Anything worth reading should be read slowly, and multiple times.
I agree with this notion; there are a handful of books that I have read many times and have truly captured. Like a fine piece of music, they are just as rewarding each time you experience their grandeur. However, I still think I would benefit from being able to read faster--if only to make free up more time from schoolwork.

[Excorcism]

I believe it was Derrida who said that, of all the books he owned, he had only really read a handful of them.
Anything worth reading should be read slowly, and multiple times.

I completely agree with that notion.

[Ahknaton]

When I was studying, I found the following helpful for improving my reading speed & comprehension:

- Sitting in a comfortable chair. I can never read more than a few pages of a book at a time in bed.
- Reading in silence. Some people say that listening to classical music while studying helps. Whatever works for you I guess, but I'd definitely say don't listen to anything with lyrics, as they will distract you.
- Avoiding coffee and other stimulants. I find that coffee makes my mind wander more easily, and I get distracted by things and can't concentrate.
- Going for a run every morning. Getting exercise first thing is a better way to wake yourself up than a cup of coffee. Healthy body healthy mind etc.

I didn't really practise "speed reading" unless I was revising course notes or reading secondary material (e.g. critiques of major works). However one technique that I have read about and found useful through experience is to try and avoid vocalising the words in your mind as you read them (subvocalisation). Once reading becomes a purely visual recognition process it speeds up drastically.

Hope this helps!

[Ahknaton]

P.S. Welcome to the phorum!

[Ambrosio Spinola]

Welcome Lionheart. I notice you had a previous account with us, why not use that one instead of a new one?

[Hakluyt]

However one technique that I have read about and found useful through experience is to try and avoid vocalising the words in your mind as you read them (subvocalisation). Once reading becomes a purely visual recognition process it speeds up drastically.
I've always found this to be a problem. Sometimes I'll go for periods of days or weeks without vocalising, but the next I'll start again be unable to stop so long as I'm thinking about it, and this does slow me down significantly. Definitely key for increasing reading speeds, at any rate - I understand most people tend to vocalise by default without thinking about it.

[Helios Panoptes]

- Avoiding coffee and other stimulants. I find that coffee makes my mind wander more easily, and I get distracted by things and can't concentrate.

Hmm, at a low dose, stimulants should increase one's concentration.

[Ahknaton]

Hmm, at a low dose, stimulants should increase one's concentration.
I guess it depends on the amount, and the individual. Personally I find that other methods of increasing concentration such as exercise and meditation work better. Coffee tends to make me restless and agitated.

[sugartits]

I think reading without sub-vocalising is "skimming".

I agree that to really read something it should be read slowly and more than once. Otherwise you can only say that you physically read it. It's like owning a book just to display it on your shelf.

[Lionheart]

I've noticed that coffee does help my concentration somewhat, and especially if I'm reading something terribly boring. But I do have a problem with vocalizing words in my mind. I've practiced reading without vocalizing before, but most of the time--unless what I'm reading is rather gripping--I lose focus and at worst don't remember what the previous paragraph even said! I will, however, try going for a quick jog tommorow morning and see if that helps.