| In the time crunched world that we are living in | | | | 4. Highlight the text that you are reading. Using a |
| speed reading can come as a boon to many who | | | | highlighter may not be a good idea but you can |
| are struggling with large volumes of reading | | | | use your finger or a book mark to highlight the |
| material. Whatever be your background -student, | | | | text. Highlighting the text in some way helps you |
| lawyer, doctor or a company executive-all can be | | | | focus on the words that you are reading. |
| benefited in some way or the other by speed | | | | 5. When you know what information you need, |
| reading techniques. | | | | keep asking questions when you read heading and |
| People shy away from adopting speed reading | | | | sub headings. The questions you frame will fine |
| mainly because they feel it can be taught only in a | | | | tune the information requirement as well as help |
| classroom. Though classroom courses are | | | | you locate the information faster. |
| beneficial, you can start improving your reading | | | | 6. Your eyes are doing an exercise while reading. |
| speed by adopting and practicing a few simple | | | | Do not exhaust them. The moment you feel your |
| steps. | | | | eyes are being strained, stop reading and take a |
| | | | break. Also get your eyesight checked periodically. |
| 1. You need to identify a need to improve your | | | | Poor vision can slow down the reading speed. |
| reading speed. If you are a student, all the lessons | | | | 7. Learn to prioritize what you are reading. When |
| that you need to finish in one course time is a | | | | you are reading a textbook, not all chapters are |
| good enough reason to improve your reading | | | | equally important to you. Rank the chapters and |
| speed. The identification of need is important since | | | | read them in the order of their rank. |
| that is what will keep you focused. | | | | 8. If you are someone who gets distracted easily, |
| 2. Do not try to read all reading material at the | | | | find a solitary place. Even without adopting any |
| same speed. This can lead to frustration and | | | | other technique you will be able to read faster if |
| ultimately make you give up on the practice. | | | | you are not distracted. Concentration is a key |
| Serious reading material like a business or medical | | | | parameter contributing to speed reading. |
| report can be read at a slower pace. Lighter | | | | 9. Avoid rereading texts even if you do not |
| material like a newspaper or magazine can be | | | | understand the meaning. You can read the entire |
| read at a considerably faster pace. | | | | material again to gain the information. Rereading |
| 3. Reading the table of contents or an abstract | | | | over a period of time becomes a habit and slows |
| when available, can save considerable time. this is | | | | down the reading speed. |
| due to the fact that one you know what you are | | | | 10. Eliminate the habit of sub-vocalization or |
| reading you are in a better position to look for | | | | reading aloud. Reading speed is limited when you |
| what you want. You do not waste time looking | | | | want to hear the words and not read words by |
| for searching for information but only spend time | | | | seeing. |
| in reading. | | | | |