Reading is considered a complex cognitive process during which symbols are decoded to extract the meaning that the author attempted to portray. A certain mastery of the cognitive processes is required in order for the decoding procedure to become automatic, so that the attention can be focused on understanding the concepts being discussed.
The physical process of reading involves a series of eye fixations which can focus either on individual words or groups of words. Research has shown that fast readers tend to have less fixations but that each fixation encompasses a larger proportion of the text.
A very early discovery made by the US Air force showed that with training, flashing 4 words on a screen at a rate of 2 milliseconds between each group of 4 words was fully recognised by the practitioner. The term for the technique was called Rapid Serial Visual Presentation and in the 1940s it formed the main approach to improving reading speeds.
Early research that followed suggested that speed reading was only a skimming tool allowing the reader to gleam key points from the material being read, though later studies indicated that even as reading speed increased comprehension also improved (see Cranney, Brown, Hansen, and Inouye 1982).
More recent research into the latest brand of speed reading, the subconscious type of reading (e.g. Photoreading), suggest that the reading speeds attained by practitioners are far lower than the claims marketed and appear to actually be close to normal reading speeds (see McNamara D.S. “Preliminary analysis of photoreading” which was prepared for NASA).
Technique
It is important to view speed reading as just a technique- focusing very little attention on the method and more attention on the reading.
It is common for practitioners to get obsessed about their progress and whether their technique is correct, which often causes poor performance.
The concepts are simple; the reader is advised not to try and extract hidden ideas or deeper meaning (since there are none) but to just follow the procedure as instructed, focusing mainly on the reading.
The crux of the method is by performing the drills daily without fail-measurable progress will then indicate whether the technique is having an effect.
The key ingredients to the system are as follows:
1. Concentration on the reading and blocking out distractions.
2. Avoiding regressions.
3. Reducing sub-vocalisation.
4. Capturing more words with each fixation.
5. Using layered reading.
6. Using subconscious reading for increased familiarity with a topic.
It is important to develop the habit to include all the above concepts whenever you are reading- irrespective of the subject matter.
Concentration
This topic was covered in depth in the first chapter since it is a crucial ingredient for any learning experience. Since reading is perhaps the ultimate learning tool, concentration is thus a key ingredient. Having the mind wander when one is reading causes frustration (due to having to repeatedly read the same sentence or page) and makes the whole process less efficient as well as far less pleasurable.
Practising the concentration techniques introduced earlier are crucial
for the implementation of the reading technique presented below.
Every reading session should start with a brief 5 minutes concentration exercise that acts as a centring mechanism for the learning experience which will follow.
Regressions
Regression is the term used to describe when a reader has to stop the flow of reading and repeat a sentence or a paragraph that has just been read- this is usually due to either a lapse in concentration or the complexity of the topic.
In order to avoid regressions, there are two key tools: the first is to improve concentration whilst the second is to use a “guide”. Since the concentration was already covered in great detail, this section will focus on the second tool- the “guide”.
Using a “guide” refers to employing an aid that would lead the reader through the passage without having to stop or repeat any of the material. The aid is there to provide rhythm and pace the reading according to the practitioner’s skill. Most traditional reading techniques put great emphasis on using the hands as a guide and generally introduce several hand motions that the user should use through different reading material. The author’s experience suggests that focusing on different hand motions again puts too much focus on the technique and less focus on the reading. Therefore, the system below uses only 2 simple hand motions, one for skimming and the other for reading.
The keys to using the hand as a “guide” are as follows:
1 . Keep the hand moving in a rhythmic pace that is manageable given your current reading abilities-skimming should be fast and the aim should be to get the general content of the topic being read, whilst the main reading motion should be slower and focus on higher comprehension.
2. Follow the hand, never fall behind it and never go back (regress) - if something has been missed it can be pencilled
(regress) - if something has been missed it can be pencilled on the margin with a question mark and can be re-read once the full read through the material has been completed.
This is a much better way to learn- the simple concepts and the basics get captured in the first read through, whilst more complex details and subtleties get added on subsequent reading, and thus building a much better structural understanding of the topic.
3. Do not focus on the hand nor pay too much attention to the motion- the key is to move rhythmically through the text focusing only on the reading and avoiding regressions.
Hand motions
1. Skimming: use an S-shaped motion through the page a. Perform an S-type motion with the hand flat on the page
and the tip of the middle finger drawing the shape as presented below.
b. Start and end each motion about one third away from either side of the text.
c . Keep up with the hand, do not regress; if you miss something it is not important, you will get to it the in the next phase of the reading process.
d . Do not focus much on the hand movement- all the attention should be on the reading; the hand is only used to guide you rhythmically and to ensure no regression is taking place.
e . This hand motion is for fast reading- mainly used in skimming through the material.
f. The diagram below illustrates the hand motion.
2. Reading: vertical line
a . The hand motion used for reading is simply a vertical line that runs down the middle of the text.
b. Perform the motion with the hand flat on the page and the tip of the middle finger drawing the shape presented below.
c . Keep up with the hand, do not regress; if you miss something it is not important, you will get to it the in the next phase of the reading process.
d . Do not focus much on the hand movement- all the attention should be on the reading; the hand is only used to guide you rhythmically and to ensure no regression is taking place.
e. This hand motion is used for all reading purposes except skimming.
f. The diagram below illustrates the hand motion.
The key point about regressions is to keep going through the material without stopping for anything; it is important to annotate portions that have not been understood for further focus in later reading, but aim to keep the pace of reading undisturbed-come back to any difficult points (as annotated) after finishing a full read through the material. This requires discipline and confidence in the technique- both should develop with practise.
The idea of no-stopping obviously extends to flipping pages- make it quick and efficient- have the hand that is not being used as a guide ready to flip the page as you near its bottom.