| A number of faster reading techniques can be | | | | a vertical or horizontal pattern. A person that can |
| learned and applied to effectively increase the | | | | incorporate both patterns into his method will be |
| reader's speed. Although it is useful to understand | | | | able to achieve a greater speed and more words |
| all the techniques involved, a speed reader may | | | | will be read at the same time. For each pattern of |
| just settle on one or two of them that will help | | | | reading, different eye movements are required. |
| him achieve his or her speed goals. Faster reading | | | | There are two vertical patterns, the first being |
| techniques, not only allow you to quickly read | | | | our usual word-for-word style of reading. The |
| vast amounts of information, but have a dramatic | | | | second is also left to right, but focusing on larger |
| improvement on your general level of | | | | groups of words simultaneously. |
| comprehension. | | | | Horizontal movement means that the eyes will |
| The main idea behind the skill of increasing speed | | | | move down the page in a zigzag pattern, focusing |
| is having the ability to read groups of words. This | | | | on the main key words. This faster reading |
| faster reading technique allows the brain to see a | | | | technique allows the reader to ignore unimportant |
| group of words as one big, meaningful word. As | | | | words that simply make up the structure of the |
| you can imagine, this would drastically increase the | | | | sentence. The speed reader will automatically |
| rate of reading. To be efficient with this technique, | | | | focus on the information that is relevant to the |
| one must first have an open mind to the | | | | purpose of his reading. |
| possibility. This requires reading in a whole | | | | To read more quickly will improve the reader's |
| different way than which we are familiar with. | | | | comprehension. Taking in larger groups of words |
| Accept the possibility that not every word needs | | | | enable the brain to more easily process and |
| to be read and that reading does not have to be | | | | understand what is being read. In using the |
| from left to right only. | | | | horizontal eye movements, the reader will not be |
| Research shows that our eyes only absorb | | | | missing out on information, he simply knows what |
| information when they are stopped. To us, while | | | | to focus on and what to overlook. |
| we read, it may seem like a continuous motion, | | | | The reader must learn to 'trust his eyes'. Try to |
| but during the process we actually take many | | | | allow your eyes and mind to absorb the words, |
| pauses. The process goes more like | | | | rather than sounding out each one. |
| 'move-stop-read-move-stop-read', than a | | | | An efficient reader will adapt his eye movements |
| continuous movement. We don't notice this when | | | | and faster reading techniques for each type of |
| we read ourselves, but try watching someone | | | | material he comes across. Reading more slowly |
| else's eyes as they read, and this process will be | | | | over important or difficult parts and scanning |
| obvious. For this reason, reading larger groups of | | | | quickly over easy or unnecessary information. |
| words is a faster reading technique, as less stops | | | | With a bit of practice, faster reading techniques |
| are required. | | | | can be achieved by anyone. |
| When we read, the process can be carried out in | | | | |