Strategy Basis - Speed Reading

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Strategy Basis

Speed reading is an approach that allows readers to absorb large amounts of information in a short amount of time. It is used to increase reading efficiency, speed, and comprehension. This is not accomplished by simply forcing oneself to read as fast as possible, as doing so will meet with only limited success. Speed reading involves a complete transformation of how one reads, or at least how a person takes in information. From childhood most people are taught to read out loud, and then to read the same way, but silently (Cutler, 2002). The problem with this is that readers are limited to reading speeds comparable to their vocalization speeds. Subsequently, most readers will never achieve a higher reading rate than 150-250 words per minute (Culter, 2002).

Speed reading is a complete change of technique and input, and it requires some discipline to learn. The primary goal of a speed reader is to switch from using the auditory memory to visual memory(Cutler, 2002). In other words, speed readers do not read individual words, but instead see groups of words the same way a normal person would see a picture (Cutler, 2002). It is necessary to practice drills in order to expand peripheral vision, control eye fixation, strengthen eye muscles, and learn to read without subvocalizing.

Subvocalization (silently vocalizing words), vocalization (actually reading words out loud), poor eye movement, and poor vision span are the major hindrances to speed reading (Cutler, 2002). While there are other weaknesses, these are primary hindrances for speed readers. These can be overcome with work, but they must be overcome before serious progress can be made. One of the drills that can help readers both overcome subvocalizati...

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...gh it may be less measureable, the student himself will notice a change. Progress will be evident in that he or she will complete reading assignments in less time, and find more free time has become available. To the average student, this is probably the most pragmatic reason to learn how to speed read.

References

Amoriggi, H., & Shaw, K. (2006). Can SpeedReading/eSpeedReading Skills Training Enhance

the Overall Learning/eLearning Productivity of 21st Century Medical Students and

Surgical Residents?. International Journal of Learning, 12(12), 157-170. Retrieved from

Education Research Complete database.

Cutler, W. E. (2002). Triple Your Reading Speed, Fourth Edition (4 ed.). New York: Pocket.

Ding, J. (2008). Fast reading: Significance and skills. Sino-US English Teaching, 5(8), 24-28.

Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.

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