19 Speed Reading Strategies To Get You Though Big Books Fast!

Speed reading is often though of as a magical ability that some people were lucky enough to be born with. Let’s face it. Those who know read fast, and retain what they read, excel in both work and school. You can have that skill and so can your friends, associates, and children. If you implement the following tips, you will instantly read faster than you ever thought was possible and you’ll even get through the “big books” fast.

* Once you start reading, don't stop! Read the text straight through. If you have any question after you have completed reading the material, go back and reread the relevant sections.

* Reread the marked sections of the text (the items you indicated that you didn’t quite understand).

* Write a small summary at the beginning of the chapter – consisting about 3-4 sentences. If you ever need to return to the text, the information is much more easily found with summary markings.

* Read once. You can't read everything all at once (and wouldn't want to). If it's important, read it now. If it's not, let it wait.

* Read the title and the first paragraph more carefully than the other parts of the section.

* If there is a summary at the end of a chapter, read it.

* Get a grasp of how the material is organized.

* If you need more background, seek another source.

* A paper and a pen at hand while reading are helpful. Make sure to have both beside you before beginning to read.

* Use the cursor on computer as a pointer when you read text on the screen. The cursor will then act as a finger, and your eyes will most likely follow for moving object.

* Use a guide (pencil, finger, ruler, etc.) to stop regression.

* Train yourself to bypass your automatic response to mentally speak each word. Instead, read words and phrases at a time, using only the peripheral vision.

* When you are reading, it is often useful to highlight, underline, and annotate the text as you go on. This emphasizes information in the mind, and helps you to recall important details after reading the material.

* Underline relevant information in a section as if you were preparing brief notes from which you could study.

* Underline all definitions of terminology.

* Mark or label examples that represent main ideas.

* Circle and box special vocabulary words and transitional words and phrases.

* Number important or sequential ideas.

* Jot down paraphrases, questions, and summaries in available spaces within the text.

It may seem overwhelming to implement all of these strategies at once. Pick one, and master it. Then, choose another one. Immediately, you’ll notice a change in your reading and comprehension abilities; and before you know it, you’ll have an arsenal of speed reading strategies to get you through any book fast.

By: Stanford Brown

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Lava Rock Publishing is dedicated to providing superior electronic educational materials. This article includes excerpts from the digital book The Speed Reading Monster Course. Instantly download your copy of this course in its entirety at www.lavarockpublishing.com/digitalebooks/speedreadingmonstercourse and you will START SPEED READING INSTANTLY!