How To Read Really Fast

This article discusses the advantages of mastering the skill of speed reading and provides five effective tips to increase reading speed. While reading is often a leisurely activity meant to be enjoyed, there are times when it can be advantageous to read more quickly. The tips include minimizing subvocalization, focusing on the middle of the page, using your finger as a guide, gamifying the experience, and summarizing the content. These tips are practical and can enhance your reading experience while maintaining comprehension.

Efficient reading is a crucial skill that can be beneficial in many situations. Although reading is often a leisurely activity meant to be savoured, there are instances where reading faster can be advantageous. For instance, if a book has one central idea that can be understood in the first few pages, the remaining content may consist of examples to reinforce that idea. In this case, it may be more efficient to read quickly to reach the main point. By learning how to read faster, you can improve your default reading speed without sacrificing comprehension. Additionally, being able to read quickly can save time and allow you to read more books.

Five tips to increase your reading speed

Now let’s explore five tips that have been helpful in increasing my reading speed.

1. Reduce subvocalisation

Subvocalisation is the process of hearing a voice in your head as you read. Many people believe that sub-vocalisation is necessary for reading. However, it is possible to reduce the voice in your head to the point where you simply see the words without sounding them out. Studies have shown that fast readers have less activation in the speech area of their brain, which supports the idea that reducing subvocalization is possibly the best way to increase reading speed. Although it may feel uncomfortable at first, with practice, it can become second nature.

2. Read the middle

Many speed readers around the world swear by the technique of “reading the middle”. While we typically focus on the very first word of a line, doing so is unnecessary as our peripheral vision will still pick it up. Instead, you can simply focus on the middle six or eight words of a line, and your peripheral vision will still register the words on the edge. With practice and intention, this technique can significantly increase reading speed.

3. Use your pointer

One effective technique for increasing reading speed is to use your index finger as a guide while scanning the page. Our eyes move in small, separate movements called saccades, which can waste time as they jump back and forth. However, using your finger to track along the page can ensure that your eyes move smoothly, resulting in a faster reading speed. According to Howard Berg, the world record holder for speed reading, using this technique can increase your reading speed by 10% to 20%.

4. Gamifying the experience

When reading for enjoyment, it is recommended to take your time. However, if you want to increase your reading speed, treating it as a game can be motivating. This approach can make learning new information more engaging and enjoyable.

To gamify the experience of speed reading, one can set a goal to read a certain number of pages or chapters within a specific amount of time, or try to beat their previous reading speed record. This approach can help make speed reading more engaging and enjoyable by turning it into a challenge or game.

5. Write a summary

One effective way to retain information while reading faster is to take notes or write a summary of the material. This technique can be useful for any material that you read. Taking notes or writing a summary does not necessarily mean that you will read slower, but it can help you engage with the content more effectively.

A basic summary can include three bullet points summarizing the book, an explanation of how the book changed your perspective, and your top three quotes. This exercise forces you to really understand what the book is about.

To read faster, it is recommended that you take notes after you have finished reading. This way, you can test yourself using active recall and spaced repetition to cement the information into your memory.