Current Methods of Speed Reading Programs

Speed reading programs vary greatly in terms ofexperts disagree, saying that speed readers
what techniques they teach, what they promise,typically comprehend only 50% of what they are
and the actual outcome. This can be confusing ifreading, as opposed to as much as 75% for
you have decided to explore speed reading forregular reading.
the first time, and had always thought (like manySome other speed reading programs teach you
of us) that speed reading is just one singlehow to speed up the rate of your 'scanning' by
concept or technique that can be learnt. Actually,leading your eyes across the page using the
there are at least two major approaches tosweeping motion of a 'pacer' (which your eyes
speed reading that differ in fundamental ways.naturally follow) or by teaching you to use and
Most speed reading programs are based on oneincrease your peripheral vision while reading.
of these two major approaches to speed reading,Despite what some experts say about the low
though there are also a lot of individual variationscomprehension, there is considerable
between the many programs.documentation of the efficacy of these speed
Traditional speed reading programs are based onreading programs and some people have proven
something that we all do naturally - instead ofthat they can comprehend just as much
reading a passage in detail, there are times wheninformation as someone who read the exact
we just scan it, letting our eyes travel down thesame piece of text at normal reading speed.
page quickly. With simple scanning, most peopleSome of the newer speed reading programs
can read up to 600 or 700 wpm (words perwork on a different principle. They argue that
minute), as opposed to 200 - 400 wpm when wescanning the page in a linear manner, whether or
are reading carefully, for comprehension andnot you read every word, is completely
study. The first speed reading programs justunnecessary; in fact, they claim that it even
improve on scanning speed.wastes time. Rather, they posit that the human
Many studies corroborate the fact that there ismind is capable of mentally 'photographing' a
no need to read every single word in a passagecomplete page of words - taking in everything
of text in order to gain comprehension or anthat is on it in its entirety, in a very short period
understanding of it - the mind naturally fills in theof time. Some speed reading programs claim
gaps of what we don't actually read. And to put itincredible success rates based on this principle,
simply, the more we 'skip' while reading, thethough it remains controversial. Mainstream
faster we can read. Though this varies amongscientists are skeptical about these claims, arguing
individuals, it is generally true that a certainthat the programs just teach people to scan
amount of material can be skipped without losingreally quickly, and that the overall comprehension
very much comprehension. Of course, someis poor.