Speed reading

[Running Bing]

I find Im very pressed for time lately and its taking me ages to get through books. It seems there is so much I want to read but so little time to do it.

With this in mind Ive been thinking about ways of making more of the time I spend reading. I came across some pages on the web devoted to "speed reading".

I was just wondering if anybody does this or if there are any courses offered on it in Ireland?

I would'nt really be into it for reading proper literature that way but it would be invaluable for reading factual stuff like biographies.

So any thoughts on it or does anybody have any tips for getting through the pile of unread books sitting on my self?

[FruitLover]

I took it up a few years ago, and have found it useful, particularly as I read a lot of dry technical documentation. Having said that, I don't really use it for novels etc (although my 'casual' reading speed has increased as well).

You don't need to take a course; all the info you need can be found on the internet for free. Use google to find out how the technique works and how to practice it. IMO it's one of many facets of modern learning that should be taught at school level.

[Honey-ec]

Meh, I'd have my reservations about the true usefulness of speed reading, particularly when reading for pleasure - surely it kind of defeats the purpose?

Very interesting article on speed reading here:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...ng-really-work

[Wilbur01]

Doing speed reading exercises regularly is the only way you can increase your word-per-minute rate and improve your overall reading speed.

[oxygen]

Ive never really understood speed reading. If its reading for pleasure, it would be very unrelaxing to sit down and speed read a book, I know its something I wouldnt look forward to. And if its reading for purpose, surely when spedreading a book or technical manual say, there is alot not taken it, as I have way to much experience with from college.

The only time I think speed reading would come in usefull is when you have to review a book maybe, even then your giving your review of a book that you didnt even read properly. Ive often thought publishers should provide book reviewers with books several weeks before a novel is released.

[henryporter]

Apparently Tony Buzan the mind-maps chappie has a book out on training your mind to read faster without the loss of information. don't know of any courses in Ireland doing the same thing.

Btw I think one of the reasons publishers don't hand out books for reviews early is the proliferation of literary bootlegging.

[FruitLover]

Originally Posted by Honey-ec

particularly when reading for pleasure - surely it kind of defeats the purpose?

Your 'relaxed' reading rate naturally increases if you learn to speed read. When I read something casually, I don't consciously use speed-reading techniques, but my reading rate is definitely quicker than it was before I learned to speed-read. I suppose some of the techniques are being employed subconsciously.

By the way, your link is indeed interesting, but bear in mind that the tests mentioned are contrived and consequently unrealistic.

Originally Posted by oxygen

surely when spedreading a book or technical manual say, there is alot not taken it

Incorrect. If anything, speed-reading is a better way to read technical documentation, as people tend to have a limited attention span. Some people's minds start to drift before they've finished a paragraph, never mind a chapter! You can pack more useful information into a small amount of reading time, and attain better coherence between sections of text through speed-reading. The 'normal' method of reading is extremely inefficient. Your mind is capable of processing information at a far greater rate than most people can read at. There are a lot of misunderstandings regarding speed-reading, the biggest being that there is a compromise between reading speed and information uptake. When done correctly, this is not the case.

[cyning]

As someone who's "normal" reading speed is naturally extremely fast speed reading totally overrated. I read normally at the speed most people would speed read: if you need to read something URGENTLY try finding a synoposis on the net: otherwise relax and enjoy...

[doonothing]

I don't really get how speed reading would detract from the enjoyment of reading a book.. Surely if you're just changing the pace you're reading at, rather than rushing it, it won't make a difference? Does reading a book too slow detract from its pleasure?

[cyning]

Trust me it does: I start an average paperback book: its finished before I've finished watching a film for example: no suspense, no savouring it. I'm sure reading too slow is equally frustrating, all I was saying is for me I would LOVE to be able to read at a normal speed.

[doonothing]

Why don't you just read slower? How is the speed you read out of your control? I'm at a loss as to what you're on about now!

[oxygen]

Yea cyning, you making no sense at all.

Originally Posted by cyning

As someone who's "normal" reading speed is naturally extremely fast speed reading totally overrated. I read normally at the speed most people would speed read

Wha?, you do or dont speed read, and speed reading is intentional. Its like running, you dont naturally run, you decide to run, so you go a little faster.

Originally Posted by cyning

all I was saying is for me I would LOVE to be able to read at a normal speed.

Just read at normal speed then for gods sake.
What are you on about.

[Zippitydoo]

I know exactly what Cyning is talking about- I read extremely quickly myself and if I analyse my own reading I notice I skip many unimportant words. I guess this could be considered speed reading to an extent. I go through 500-600 page books in a day sometimes.
It's not as simple as it sounds just to read slower- it would be like asking a slow reader to read faster. I get muddled and confused if I try read to slow- and my concentration goes.
I don't wish I read slower though- I find it quite useful and still enjoy the books I read.

[doonothing]

Originally Posted by Zippitydoo

I know exactly what Cyning is talking about- I read extremely quickly myself and if I analyse my own reading I notice I skip many unimportant words. I guess this could be considered speed reading to an extent. I go through 500-600 page books in a day sometimes.
It's not as simple as it sounds just to read slower- it would be like asking a slow reader to read faster. I get muddled and confused if I try read to slow- and my concentration goes.
I don't wish I read slower though- I find it quite useful and still enjoy the books I read.

Is that not the key here though? Reading too fast and skipping parts, even if they're only unimportant words? I'll openly admit I can't really know what you mean without being in your shoes on this, but it just sounds a lot like "browsing" more than reading in a way, if you get me.. Not to offend you or doubt you or anything, it just comes across that way I guess.

It'd be so much harder for someone to read faster than their natural speed than slower surely? Can you not sit down and read a page or chapter making sure you read at a slower pace, paying attention to the words you'd normally gloss over?

[Running Bing]

Originally Posted by doonothing

Is that not the key here though? Reading too fast and skipping parts, even if they're only unimportant words? I'll openly admit I can't really know what you mean without being in your shoes on this, but it just sounds a lot like "browsing" more than reading in a way, if you get me.. Not to offend you or doubt you or anything, it just comes across that way I guess.

It'd be so much harder for someone to read faster than their natural speed than slower surely? Can you not sit down and read a page or chapter making sure you read at a slower pace, paying attention to the words you'd normally gloss over?

Surely to read slower all you have to do is sub-vocalize (i.e. say the words in your head as your reading them) at your normal conversational speed?

Surely you dont speak that fast all the time.