Speed Reading Tactics

Recently, there was a visitor to my site who had left me an interesting question. He wanted to know how could I actually move from saying the words and identify the symbols. This is actually one of the most difficult habits to overcome in developing the skill of speed reading. This question I was asked demonstrates towards the method of sub-vocalization. For your knowledge sub-vocalization is referred to the act of seeing the words or phrases and saying them in your mind, and hear the words in your voice and lastly understanding their meanings. This process, as I have told you consists of four steps. In the context of this process, reading is referred to getting the meanings from the written content which is seeing them and getting the idea of the printed material. In theoretical terms, reading should consist of just two steps. In my discussion below I will tell you about the seven tips you may use to overcome sub-vocalization.

Tip One – The first tip is concerned with the moving of eyes. The eyes need to move fluidly and rapidly to go through the content. Usually the training programs for speed reading begin with physical training of eye. This is a reason why speed reading is often criticized by many. But it is in fact, very important to begin with as the eyes are mechanics in reading. This training of eyes is to make them move fluidly and not stuck on a single phrase or word to be able to go through the print faster. In the beginning, seeing the words faster can be very uncomfortable. But it should be realized that you are going to bring major changes in your process of perceiving the material while staying much focused.

Tip Two: You must work on increasing your speed rate of reading higher than 600 words per minute because sub-vocalization is likely to appear in a word count below this figure. The nervous system of brain can be stimulated easily by breaking the habit of sub-vocalization. However, it requires fast practice and brings a little un-comfort in the beginning. It is similar to the example of driving a car. You start off with a lower speed say that of 30 km/h and then you start getting control over the speed of the car and push the race to accelerate further and go up to 80km/h. Training of brain and eyes to be able to understand at different speed rates is an important factor of speed reading.

Tip Three: While you are reading you must try to focus on the content and know what it is about. You should not just focus on avoiding sub-vocalization. Thinking about the print infront of you will make you read the material better.

Tip Four: Seeing content quickly a number of times makes enough understanding and also will make you recognize what you have read before. This way you will be able to come up with a comprehension on your own, thus better understanding by using multiple rapid exposures.

Tip Five: You will be benefited if you ask yourself questions about the material you are passing over as questions have a powerful impact on one’s mind.
Tip Six: Consider monitoring your thinking if you can’t think straight about the material you are reading. If you can’t respond to what you are reading then observe what else are you thinking and ask yourself what is it about?

Tip Seven: There is no alternative for practicing these tips. The more you practice the quicker you proceed to becoming the master of speed reading.