| "body"> | | | | general ideal of what the text is about; |
| A cornerstone of the ability to speed read is the | | | | * read the introduction paragraph of the text; |
| ability to skim. | | | | * read each heading in the text; |
| However, many argue that skimming is in fact | | | | * read each subheading in the text; |
| cheating - i.e. you're not really reading at all! The | | | | * read the first paragraph under each heading and |
| following is a brief outline argument in favor of | | | | subheading of the text; |
| why skimming will improve your reading speed | | | | * (if you have time) read the first and last line of |
| (and ability). | | | | the first and last paragraph of each page; |
| Basically, skimming is the most rudimentary form | | | | * (if you have time) read the first and last line of |
| of reading. The object of skim reading is not to | | | | each independent paragraph; |
| necessarily comprehend all that is being read, but | | | | * read the last paragraph of the text - again, this |
| rather to familiarize yourself, as quickly as | | | | is very important as it is usually in this section |
| possible, with the text being read. In this regard, | | | | that you'll find all of the main concepts of the text |
| skimming materials, by reading the index, subject | | | | being summarized and concluded. |
| headings and sub-headings, allows you to prepare | | | | Moreover, when skimming, try using your |
| yourself so that when the time comes, you can | | | | peripheral eye vision to identify the main idea of |
| race ahead and speed read at pace - as you are | | | | the text, the main dates in the text (especially if |
| already familiar with the text. Consequently, your | | | | the text relates to historical issues), and any |
| overall reading speed will be vastly improved. | | | | illustrations/diagrams/graphs. |
| In addition, skimming allows your subconscious the | | | | Finally, when you are skimming, start at the |
| chance to absorb the main ideas of a text. These | | | | beginning and read straight through to the end. Do |
| are later cemented by your speed reading of the | | | | not go back over what you have already read |
| contents. The combination of these two methods | | | | before you have completed the whole text as |
| allows you greater comprehension of what you | | | | this will defeat the purpose of your skim reading: |
| are reading. | | | | in any event, you are going to speed read the |
| Conversely, if you are reading from cold, there is | | | | text once more after you have completed your |
| more chance you'll miss certain points or issues. If | | | | skim read! |
| you want, think of it as if you are watching a | | | | Remember, skim reading is not intended to |
| movie for the second time: don't you always see | | | | replace any reading of the material. Its intention is |
| parts of the movie the second time that you | | | | to familiarize yourself with the text so that you |
| didn't see the first, which makes the second | | | | can be fully prepared to review it once again at a |
| viewing all the more relaxing and pleasurable? | | | | later time. In the event that you find yourself |
| How to Skim Read | | | | with insufficient time to both speed read and skim |
| Having ascertained that skimming will increase our | | | | read a text, you should not confine your reading |
| reading speed, we now need to know how to | | | | to a mere skim read as you may find that you |
| skim read. Whilst there are many different | | | | miss out on vital pieces of data. Besides this, |
| methods adopted to skim reading, the following | | | | enjoy your skim reading in the comfort of |
| are the essential elements: | | | | knowing it will enable you to increase your overall |
| * read the index of a text - note that it is | | | | reading speed! |
| essential that you do this so that you get the | | | | |