Does speed reading take the joy out of reading?

By Melvin Ng

A common enough remark is that speed reading takes the joy out
of reading. However, is this entirely fair? Would it not be
fairer to say that being able to speed read actually increases
the joy of reading? To answer this, we need to look at some of
the reasons why we are speed reading in the first place!

It should always be in the forefront of your mind that speed
reading is a skill. It is adopted when certain circumstances
arise and it is not always necessarily a skill you need to
invoke each and every time you read something.

An example, if you are curled up in bed reading the latest
thriller novel, it is unlikely you are going to want to be speed
reading. The reason: first, because you have spent a lot of
money on the novel and so want to make it last; second because
part of the atmosphere that you have set in which to read is one
of relaxation and taking things easy.

If we now transfer the scene to one where we are reading the
latest financial report from ABC Company Limited, even if we are
doing this in bed, the environment in which we are reading has
dramatically changed.

The need and reason why we read the text in these two scenarios
is not the same. In the former we are at leisure. In the later
we are in professional mode. Clearly in the later, where we want
to be done with the reading and off to sleep, we can adapt out
speed reading skills and in the former we may choose not to.

In other words, speeding reading skills are a "horses for
courses" skill. Invoke them at times when you need to read
something really fast, but not when you don't need to.

Furthermore, as your retention rates are usually better with
speed reading, it is often a good idea that you speed read at
times when you have a special need to comprehend and retain the
information you are reading. If we go back to the financial
report/thriller novel example above, it is far more likely that
comprehending and retaining the information in the financial
report is going to be more beneficial to you, so utilize your
speed reading skills at this time so that you can enhance your
chances of comprehending and retaining the text.

Finally, speed reading does not have to be a cumbersome,
professional, skill. It is quite possible to enjoy your time
speed reading something, in much the same way as you would when
reading a novel. To do this all you need do is create the
correct atmosphere in which to speed read. Eliminate all
distractions, such as music and chat. Do a pre-read of the
materials: read the index, headings and sub headings. Then speed read the text. Retain the information. Utilize that
information.

As you can see then, having the ability to be able to speed read
will allow you the choice of reading faster, or slower. It's
about having choices.