| Speed reading has two facets, one of which is | | | | read them. Try moving the card down faster |
| very apparent while the other may be more | | | | than you think that you can read and do this only |
| obscure. Of course, one of these facets is the | | | | once per page. When your card reaches the |
| ability to read faster, to get through text in a | | | | bottom of the page, turn it and move on. |
| shorter period of time. The other facet, however, | | | | The Sweep |
| may not be that apparent. It involves actually | | | | When using this method you use your hand to |
| comprehending what is read. Both facets of | | | | lead your eyes across the page. Cup your right |
| speed reading must be achieved in order for the | | | | hand slightly and use a smooth, light motion to |
| act of speed reading to be accomplished. Speed | | | | sweep your fingers across the page, from left to |
| reading is completely ineffective if the material is | | | | right. In other words, your fingers will underline the |
| not comprehended and absorbed. It does no good | | | | words as you read them. Use your entire arm to |
| to skim through material at lightening speed if you | | | | move your hand across the page. Use a sweeping |
| have no idea what you have read. | | | | motion as if dusting something off of the page. |
| There are five basic methods of speed reading. | | | | Let your hand lead your eyes across the words |
| You may be surprised to learn that there is no | | | | as you sweep and read. Move quickly and train |
| great mystery or special skills required to be able | | | | your eyes to keep up. |
| to do this, but you do need to be able to read | | | | The Hop |
| well. If you already have problems with reading, | | | | This method is much like The Sweep, but instead |
| comprehension or vocabulary, you may even find | | | | of sweeping your hand across the page, you |
| that you have even more trouble if you attempt | | | | "hop" it, meaning that you actually life your fingers |
| speed reading. Speed reading is nothing more than | | | | from the page and advance it by "hopping" across |
| a few techniques that, when combined, will help | | | | the page. Cup your hand as you do with The |
| you focus your attention more effectively. The | | | | Sweep and place your fingers under the passage |
| five methods explained here are some of the | | | | that you are reading. Bounce your hand twice |
| more popular techniques. Try each of them to | | | | across the page on each line using your arm as |
| find the one that works best for you. | | | | the catalyst for motion. Do not move your wrist, |
| The Hand | | | | this motion requires the use of the entire arm. |
| With this method you put your hand on the page | | | | The reasoning behind this is to make a fixation on |
| that you are reading. If you are right handed, use | | | | sets of words, not just one word at a time. This |
| your right hand, if you are left handed, use your | | | | also helps you keep your pace steady because it |
| left hand. Now draw your "reading hand" slowly | | | | has a rhythmic motion. |
| down the page. Do not go from side to side, | | | | The Zig-Zag or Loop |
| move your hand straight down while you read. | | | | This method is not recommended for material |
| Your eyes may not be on the exact same | | | | that requires careful reading or is very involved, |
| section as your hand, but by doing this you will | | | | but it is a good method for easy reading material. |
| read faster. Keep all the movements, your hand | | | | It will help you get the general idea of lighter text. |
| and your reading, as one smooth motion. Do not | | | | The way to do this method is to use your hand |
| stop and start, make it all one continuous motion | | | | and instead of tracing it along each line, move it in |
| and run your hand down each page only once | | | | a diagonal motion about three lines, then back to |
| before moving on to the next page. | | | | the next line, creating a zig-zag motion with your |
| The Card | | | | hand. The basic idea of this method is to scan the |
| This technique may seem a little familiar, but | | | | text, not see each word, which is why it is not |
| instead of using the card or folded piece of paper | | | | advisable for text where in depth reading is |
| below the text, place it above the line of print so | | | | required. |
| that you are unable to see the words after you | | | | These methods can help you read faster, but like |
| have read them. Move the card down the page in | | | | anything else you must practice your chosen |
| a slow and even motion while trying to read the | | | | method or methods. Try each method and find |
| words before you cover them. This will help you | | | | the one that works best for you, then practice |
| break the habit of reading a passage several | | | | until you can do it effortlessly. If you are good |
| times because you are covering the words with | | | | reader, you will be able to read not only faster, |
| the card. This means that you are forced to pay | | | | but better and with better comprehension. |
| attention to the words the first time that you | | | | |