How do you increase reading speed?

sarahas8609 · Post by **sarahas8609** » 06 Feb 2014, 16:16

skip unnecessary words. instead of reading every word, you can get the same gist without words like "the"

pattygirl249 · Post by **pattygirl249** » 07 Feb 2014, 22:51

Years ago I learned how to speed read so I still remember the concept and use it when I read.

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 08 Feb 2014, 15:45

With text books it's learning to skim for content, particularly content you need...for simple example...
"The lakes that run through the region feed the vast assortment of familiar wildlife. The resident bears feed on both the fish in the lakes, preferring their abundance over having to hunt more difficult prey."

Bottom line that the bears are lazy and prefer fish, all those words to say that...

GabrielleAlcime · Post by **GabrielleAlcime** » 10 Feb 2014, 15:39

Practice.

RILENTLISS · Post by **RILENTLISS** » 26 Mar 2014, 11:34

You can increase reading speed by giving yourself a set time to read a chapter, then reading it no matter what, and then seeing how much of the chapter you have digested. Keep doing this process until your digestion of the material is equivalent to normal reading pace.

npandit · Post by **npandit** » 26 Mar 2014, 11:38

I think this sort of thing starts to happen automatically the more you read. I used to read quite a bit when I was younger, but I wasn't nearly as fast as I am now. I didn't notice it happening, but it just happened by itself...kind of like typing!

K_Robinson · Post by **K_Robinson** » 27 Mar 2014, 22:49

I guess I have never tried. When I read I imagine everything the writer has written for me; it's like a movie in my head. If I tried to read faster I think I would miss out on alot. Kind of like watching a movie in fastforward; it just wouldn't be as enjoyable that way! Reading, to me, isn't about how fast you can get it done, its about enjoying the content.

castor · Post by **castor** » 28 Mar 2014, 04:14

Fran wrote:But most of all it's not a competition so in my opinion it is more important to enjoy your reading than to try and reach some mythical speed.

Totally Agree

S dot Lennon · Post by **S dot Lennon** » 28 Mar 2014, 05:04

In my opinion, practice. I am by no means a speed reader but I notice I do tend to read faster than others. I don't think I'd ever want to be a speed reader. I want to enjoy and take in every moment of the book.

[RR] · Post by **[RR]** » 02 Apr 2014, 11:49

That's an interesting question. It really depends on the type of book. It's natural that a philosophy book takes longer to read than a romance. It also depends on the type of reading: do you want to read the full book or just the key elements?
Reading speed depends not only on practice but also if you're drawn to the book or not. If you're drawn to it, it's most likely that you'll read it faster. But don't worry so much about it. The important is enjoy reading, not reading fast just for the sake of it.

JenniferBoyce · Post by **JenniferBoyce** » 07 Apr 2014, 09:27

TechKnow wrote:Read three words a page...

That should do it...

I just about died laughing when I read this. But in all honestly, the only way to improve your reading speed is through practice. The more you read, the faster you will become. But it isn't a race, it's fine to be a fast reader just as long as you are able to absorb all of the information in the book.

autumnmarie · Post by **autumnmarie** » 01 Jun 2014, 17:32

Though I read pretty fast already I did try "speed reading" at one point. I did complete books faster but they were by no means as enjoyable. I don't understand the stigma with reading fast...I think people should read at whatever speed their comfortable, it's not a race!

Sott9 · Post by **Sott9** » 20 Jun 2014, 16:34

I just downloaded a free app called "Acceleread" that is supposed to help you read faster. I'm not sure who well it works, but I'm giving it a shot!

Little House · Post by **Little House** » 24 Jun 2014, 14:39

lagym888 wrote:For me the best way to increase a persons speed in reading is "reading and reading".. As they say practice makes perfect, by reading most of the time speed skills increase without notice.!

The only thing that I would add to this is to read easy books. Books that are easy for you to read will increase your fluency (and speed), and then you can work your way back up to harder books and keep the speed. I have seen it happen many times with the children I work with.

PashaRu · Post by **PashaRu** » 24 Jun 2014, 16:38

I see no reason to increase the speed at which I read. (I'm a good reader, and my reading speed is good enough for me.) Mostly, I read for pleasure. It's the journey I enjoy, not just reaching the destination. In other words, I'd rather wander slowly through the forest than run through it.