How do you increase reading speed?

vtoodler · Post by **vtoodler** » 14 Apr 2010, 13:27

I know some people on this forum who can read at a rate of 2 pages per minute. For me, although I read more than most people, I still can only read at a rate of 1 page every 1.5 minutes.

If you have drastically improved your reading speed anytime in your life, how did you do it?

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 14 Apr 2010, 15:12

I think this has come up before on the site .... my suggestion is to read aloud regularly and practise, practise, practise.

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.

TechKnow · Post by **TechKnow** » 14 Apr 2010, 15:18

Read three words a page...

That should do it...

lagym888 · Post by **lagym888** » 15 Apr 2010, 11:57

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.!

StephenKingman · Post by **StephenKingman** » 15 Apr 2010, 12:50

I never understood the desire to read faster. I can understand that at times, when you are getting too tired to commit to another chapter, or at the end of a flight, that you may 'speed read' to get the chapter out of the way until the next time. But generally i love to relax and unwind as im reading and to take in every sentence and phrase just as the author intended.

When i read fast i tend to miss some of the subtle details of the plot and i also have trouble remembering some of the characters etc when im flying through a book at breakneck speed.

TechKnow · Post by **TechKnow** » 15 Apr 2010, 22:11

Tech books can instill a stong desire to read faster... Much faster

Alex.uyi · Post by **Alex.uyi** » 16 Apr 2010, 04:21

Continuous reading, mostly in ur favorite place of reading can speedy ur rate of reading.
Most time people read faster when the book they are reading is interesting.

Ruth · Post by **Ruth** » 16 Apr 2010, 10:06

I found that my reading speed increased as I read more, without me really having to try at it.

But I wouldn't worry about the speed you read at. The most important thing is that you enjoy what you read:)

ResearchScholar · Post by **ResearchScholar** » 16 Apr 2010, 21:18

For me, if I am reading a great book I want every moment to last so that I absorb everything, kept retained in my memory indefinitely. Speed therefore is not an issue.

Writing speed only becomes essential for me when I am reading something as dry as a company annual report or other kinds of post office prose.

Kathe · Post by **Kathe** » 16 Apr 2010, 22:00

Some books are meant to be read quickly, like a suspense novel that keeps your heart pounding, wondering what will happen next.

Some books are meant to absorbed slowly, so you don't miss the nuances that should be savored, like a fine wine.

So don't worry about increasing your reading speed. Read because you want to be lost within the pages. Read at the pace that the book feels comfortable for you.

Just my two cents.

brownnataly21 · Post by **brownnataly21** » 17 Apr 2010, 01:58

I don't think that you need to increase the reading speed. What for? You will lose the quality of reading. I stick to the point that it's OK to read as it's more comfortable to you.

robinjackman · Post by **robinjackman** » 17 Apr 2010, 04:06

For that u must read books more and more so u can increase your reading speed.

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vtoodler · Post by **vtoodler** » 05 May 2010, 09:01

brownnataly21 wrote:I don't think that you need to increase the reading speed. What for? You will lose the quality of reading. I stick to the point that it's OK to read as it's more comfortable to you.

I would like to read faster because there are so many good books in the world. I would like to read more of them.

tedi055 · Post by **tedi055** » 08 May 2010, 16:03

Very simply put, speed reading programs. That would be a sure way to increase your reading speed beyond normal rates.

Shasti · Post by **Shasti** » 23 Jun 2010, 06:19

tedi055 wrote:Very simply put, speed reading programs. That would be a sure way to increase your reading speed beyond normal rates.

While I agree with the majority - reading should be a luxurious and pleasurable experience, I can also understand you wanting to get into more books. So many books - so little time!!!

Try reading more than one book at a time. Gives you the ability to swap between stories and 'refreshes' the mind when you feel you are pushing too hard.

I did an 'accelerated reading' program years ago.
A few things I learned were: use a pen, or 'pointer' to trace along the lines on the page. Your eye will move more quickly, without 'jumping' back and forth, making your progress faster.
Don't just move the pen horizontally across the lines. Starting from the first line, move the pen in a smooth "Z" across to the end, then diagonally down and across again. As you do this, your eye will pick up 'key words' in the passage, and allows the mind to tie the concept in the passage together.
While I would always recommend these techniques - and others - to people studying, I wouldn't really suggest it for pleasure reading. Although using a 'pointer' to help train your eye to move faster is always a good tool to develop.

A good book is worth savouring. A great book is worth absorbing every word, taking pleasure in the way they are put together on the page. Look at great books like you would at a wonderful meal at a fine restaurant - relish it!