Sunday, March 24, 2013

Increase Reading Speed Effectively

By Zoe Smith


Some people think that speed reading is only useful when you're in school, perhaps cramming for that all important exam you forgot to study for because you were up all night with friends. Well, that may be true, but speed reading is so much more than that. It is a skill that allows you to obtain and retain a larger capacity for information-making you a valuable asset in any professional environment you decide to be in. Learn how to increase reading speed with these easy tips anyone can use.

Before starting, gather all the books and literature you need and determine what exactly you need to extract from it. What does this mean? Do you need a general overview or a more detailed review of what you're reading? If you only need an outline then you can skim over details and take only what you need. Understand the material you have. Magazines, newspapers and novels can be easily read; while poetry, technical manuals and legal documents should be examined more thoroughly.

Many people find that they can accomplish more when they read early in the day. Of course this may not apply to everybody-but for the most part, you will have greater concentration and better comprehension during the day than at night. If you read when your concentration is at its peak, then you will not have to go over some things you may not have understood, resulting in further delay.

A conducive environment is another excellent method on learning how to increase reading speed. You do this by sequestering yourself to a quiet spot that does not have any distracting influence (televisions, computers, unnecessary calls, etc.). Plan a time and place for studying and don't let yourself be distracted with other tasks. Sit down and read with the book angled at 45 degrees for maximum efficacy.

Preview the material that you need to read. If you're reading a more educational book, read the table of contents and chapter summaries to get an idea of the gist of what you're studying. Zero in on the important parts of the text and skim over superfluous details. The essential technique in speed reading is learning how to take in the meat of the content and scan through the elements you don't really need for your specific purpose.

Adults usually read not word by word-we read by reading blocks of words at a time. People serious about enhancing this skill can avail of a speed reading software that has been known to help many professionals in achieving more at work. A speed reading software is an effective tool in increasing the number of words you can read in a block, as well as decrease the time you spend pondering over these blocks.

When you successfully learn the basics of speed reading and begin to use it, you will be better adept in discriminating for essential information, thereby improving your over-all performance at work. It is an underestimated and invaluable tool that is worth investing your time and effort in today.




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