21 replies
Hey there !

Do you guys know about speed reading ? I just started to get interested to it and I think it's a great opportunity to be more productive.

It says that a speed reader can read from 800 to 2000 words a minute!

To know how many words you can read per min, check this test :

How Many Words-Per-Minute Do You Read?

Based on this test, I read 400 to 450 words per minute, it's not that bad but I would love to double this number.

Do you guys know any good programs of speed reading? Do you know what is the best way to increase your reading speed?
#reading #speed
  • Profile picture of the author J.Knight
    It all depends on how you want to read. Generally, speed readers don't read every word. They glean, and grasp the basic concepts and ideas.

    If you want to read every word and still read faster, use your finger and track the sentences. Move your finger across the page faster than you normally read, and as long as it's not too fast, your eye will track the words faster.

    The trick is to get into a rhythm, and not pause or go back to read something you think you've missed.

    JK
    Signature
    You Absolutely DO NOT Want >>> This FREE Report <<< It May Change Your Life!

    Like to chitter? Add me on Twitter!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260454].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author marcanthony
    When you learn how to properly speed read, your comprehension level will increase... speed reading compliments your short term memory quite a bit.

    I am naturally a speed reader but, I have read books in the past to improve... not sure if I will be able to find any of them now.

    It's not hard to do. It just takes practice.

    Here's a tip:

    You don't want to read one word at a time. The idea is to read 4 to 5 words at once before you move your eyes from left to right.

    However, if you are just now getting started, you may want to start out with reading 2 or 3 words at a time before you shift your eyes from left to right.

    The better you get, just increase the amount of words you read at once.

    Soon you will be able to read lines with just one shift of the eyes. In other words you will develop a pattern.

    Instead of reading one word at a time like this:

    My-Mother-Told-Me-To-Take-Out-The-The-Trash

    You should read like this:

    My Mother Told Me To---Take Out The Trash

    Another simplified explanation would be to just read in 3 to 5 word sections at a time

    After a few months of practice, you will be able to read long Internet Sales letter in a few minutes.

    p.s. skimming and speed reading is not the same thing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260468].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ben_Curtis
    Hey, JM,
    I've been considering the same thing, just because there is such an overload of info to get through! it could be the way to internet mastery-LOL Let us know if anything you try works.
    Ben Curtis
    Internet Marketing Resources - Ben's Marketing Magic
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260475].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author coco28
    I got interested in speed reading since I picked up a book called "The Mind Accelerator" (google it). The book has a section on its own type of speed reading, and while this wasn't really what I was looking for, it did make me look into more conventional speed reading techniques. As it happens I find I speed read naturally anyway - my job demands that I read stuff quickly and I guess I just got into the habit...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260633].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
    When I was a kid in high school (about a hundred years ago) one of the school's teachers became certified as an instructor for the Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics course. So the school offered it to students as an elective.

    For the tests we would be given a novel we had not read before, given a specific number of minutes to read it, then be tested on it to determine our comprehension and reading speed.

    I remember having 90% comprehension at 3200 words per minute. It really works.

    Unfortunately one must continue reading that way or one's speed will gradually slow down.

    :-Don
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260805].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Eric Transue
    I also recently became interested in speed reading. I have downloaded two trial products. One is Rocket Reader and the other is Ace Reader Pro. I found both on Google when I was looking for more speed reading info. So far I like the functionality of Ace Reader better. It has an organized course that takes you through drills. Every so often it will do a reading and comprehension test so that you can track your progress. I'll keep you posted on my experience with this program.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260864].message }}
  • In high school back in the 1970's we studied speed reading.
    The goal was to have every one finsh the year above 10,000 words a minute, and we all did. Most over 40,000 words a minute.
    So how was it done?......it's really simple, you look at full paragraphs as pictures, you learn to memorize things this way as you read.
    When you first start off you read, small groups of words and build up to full sentences. Then to paragraphs, and finally the full page.
    But I will also say this, speed reading takes the joy out of reading and thinking about a subject. It makes you more like a robot.
    Before I learned to speed read I was reading close to 900 words a minute.
    Then after a few years I decided to forget speed reading, there was no joy to it. To me it's a waste of time. But maybe to others it's what they need.

    I wish anyone trying speed reading all the best.
    Oh by the way, I read once over 40,000 at 95 % comp.
    So it does work, but you are limited to how many pages you can take in at that rate. And like I said it's like veiwing a picture and memorzing it....well good luck.
    Signature
    Rock,Blues Guitarist GW Williams - Free Internet Guitar information on new guitars,top brand strings,Guitar Lessons,tab,chords,lead guitar,hot licks,lead scales,guitar tips,and techniques all Free

    Online Christian Blog Living For God Online
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[260937].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author EcoverGuru
    Hehe..this is cool. I tried the speed reading test and it falls to 200-250 in 1 minute, which is the average =p So i guess my speed reading is not really "speed", just regular one. Try it the second time, a bit better, although i found it that i have to be really really focus when i try the speed reading. If there is like 1 second distraction in my mind...its all fall apart, still able to read fast but without really grasping the meaning.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[261261].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author entrepenerd
    You might want to check out this link.

    ZAP Reader

    I got it on recommendation from Jason Moffatt, so give him credit if you like it. If not, I guess I'll still take the blame
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[261319].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Gaby10
      Interesting replies...

      From what I know, speed reading performance may be positively affected if:

      • You do a previous study/research of unknown terminology/words.
      • If you use the right typography.
      • If you use the right contrast.
      • You take deep breathes when you are reading.
      • Also, you can use binaural beats as a tool, at the right frequency.
      • "Fast" rhythmic music will certainly help you too (if they are above 140 bpm).
      • Do not use your mouth to "say" the words you are reading.
      • Find the right place to focus, focus, and focus.
      • If you wake up at 7AM, then 8-9AM is a GREAT moment to read.
      • Eat 1 hour before you read, the adrenaline may affect your performance.
      And many other tips...

      HTH,
      Gaby
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[261357].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ptone
      Originally Posted by entrepenerd View Post

      You might want to check out this link.

      ZAP Reader

      I got it on recommendation from Jason Moffatt, so give him credit if you like it. If not, I guess I'll still take the blame
      Thank you for sharing this...ZAP Reader is way cool
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[261758].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author allb450
      Originally Posted by entrepenerd View Post

      You might want to check out this link.

      ZAP Reader

      I got it on recommendation from Jason Moffatt, so give him credit if you like it. If not, I guess I'll still take the blame
      Very cool tool. Would you know, is this actually training you so that you can eventually speed read without Zapper?

      Thanks Again!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[261887].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author allb450
    I have also heard of people who not only speed read but also increase the speed of their audio during play back to listen at a faster rate. Supposively, we can comprehend at a much faster rate than the normal play back speed of an audio.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[261899].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Nick Doyle
    Haha, great test ... I guess I have to work on my "speed reading" a bit to help me wade through the financial times every morning
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[262085].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ArTsYwRiTeR
    cool I think that is a great idea "speed reading" so that I can read lots of interesting blogs. lol
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[262145].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hittjw
    I've used the Evelyn Wood program, you can go down to your local library and find all kinds of books. Speed reading on the screen is a little different, the key is not to say the words in your head.

    Another thing I found that worked well is to build vocabulary, understand English sentence structure, and work on other relevant communications skills. This all helps improve your comprehension as you move through documents.

    Speed reading is definitely worth the investment.

    Best,

    Justin
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[262278].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MeTellYou
    Have you guys heard of photo reading before? I haven't actually taken the course but I hear it's pretty amazing... You can read almost as fast as you can flip the pages
    Signature
    [UPDATED] FREE 1-ON-1 MENTORSHIP: Student Makes $12,000 His First Week Of Running Ads
    Skype Me! Skype: yourebookwriter
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[262417].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author J.Knight
      Originally Posted by MeTellYou View Post

      Have you guys heard of photo reading before? I haven't actually taken the course but I hear it's pretty amazing... You can read almost as fast as you can flip the pages
      Yeah, I've heard of it before.

      There's a YouTube video of a clip taken from a Derren Brown (I think that's his name) show, where he has memorized the Oxford Dictionary by Photo Reading.

      I'm a bit skeptical of him, but I think Photo Reading is interesting nonetheless. There are definitely people who can do it, it seems.

      JK
      Signature
      You Absolutely DO NOT Want >>> This FREE Report <<< It May Change Your Life!

      Like to chitter? Add me on Twitter!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[262740].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author EcoverGuru
      Originally Posted by MeTellYou View Post

      Have you guys heard of photo reading before? I haven't actually taken the course but I hear it's pretty amazing... You can read almost as fast as you can flip the pages
      Photo reading?? hmm..interesting..never heard of it though. How does it work actually?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[262861].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JMLebeau
    Hey Zap Reader is pretty interesting, I'm actually reading some articles on photo reading : Wow! A lot of options but no perfect method, anyone?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[263088].message }}

Trending Topics