Picture this. You have to finish writing a comprehensive business report in two days, which requires you to do extensive research within a short period. It means you have to do a lot of reading within the time frame. Asking for a deadline extension is not an option and the clock is ticking. You try your best to finish the report within the allotted time but couldn’t. This leads to stress and frustration, which eventually hampers your productivity.
Whether it is for work or personal interest, finding enough time to read a vast amount of information daily is becoming increasingly difficult due to our packed schedules. The average reading speed in adults has been estimated to be around 300 words per minute (WPM). You can save a lot more time and gain more information in a short span if you can unlock the potential to enhance your reading speed. This is where speed reading techniques can come in handy.
The idea of speed reading is said to have been invented by American educator Evelyn Wood in the 1950s. She developed techniques to bolster the reading speed of slow readers. According to Britannica, by 1958 she was teaching students at the University of Utah to “read at speeds of several thousand words per minute.” Over the years, speed reading has gained popularity and many speed reading techniques have emerged that can help readers increase their speed.
If you or someone your know wants to increase their reading speed, here are a few ways to read more in less time.
Use pacers
A pacer is a visual guide that can help readers boost their reading speed by forcing their eyes to focus on the text. While reading a book, you can use your fingers or a pen as a pacer. This reading technique can help you maintain focus while making it easier to move quickly from one sentence to the other. This, in turn, helps boost your reading speed. If you are reading a text online, a PDF, or a Word document, you can use the highlight tool as your pacer. Once you develop a habit of using a pacer, you can gradually increase the speed at which you move it. The key is to stay alert and focussed while using a pacer, which will help you read faster.
Minimise subvocalisation
When you began reading at school, you were probably told to read each word aloud to improve your fluency and pronunciation. After that, you may have been instructed to read the words in your head. This is called subvocalisation. Try to minimise subvocalisation to increase your reading speed. While it is not possible to turn off the internal speech while reading, with practice, you can reduce it to just a few words per sentence. Use hacks such as distracting the internal speech by focussing on a different activity, such as humming a tune or training yourself to visualise the text instead of repeating words in your mind.
Improve your concentration
Chatting with others or checking social media feeds while reading can significantly hamper your ability to focus. If you are working from home and have to read and review lengthy reports, find a quiet place where you won’t get distracted by external sounds. Clear your mind before you begin to read a text. If your mind is cluttered with too many thoughts, that would also stifle your ability to read. You may try mindfulness meditation to calm the chaotic mind and regain focus. Once you develop stillness, it becomes easier to concentrate on the text.
Using pacers, can guide your eyes along the text and help increase reading speed. This technique allows you to process information more efficiently and comprehend the material better.
Subvocalization is the habit of silently pronouncing each word as you read, which can slow down your reading pace.
Enhancing your concentration while reading involves minimizing distractions and creating a focused environment. With improved concentration, you can maintain your reading flow, absorb information more effectively.
Setting a timer helps improve your speed over time and motivates you to stay focused and complete your reading material efficiently.
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