Speed Reading and Skimming - will it improve your reading speed?
By Melvin Ng
A cornerstone of the ability to speed read is the ability to
skim. However, many argue that skimming is in fact cheating -
i.e. you're not really reading at all! The following is a brief
outline argument in favor of why skimming will improve your
reading speed (and ability).
Basically, skimming is the most rudimentary form of reading. The
object of skim reading is not to necessarily comprehend all that
is being read, but rather to familiarize yourself, as quickly as
possible, with the text being read. In this regard, skimming
materials, by reading the index, subject headings and
sub-headings, allows you to prepare yourself so that when the
time comes, you can race ahead and speed read at pace - as you
are already familiar with the text. Consequently, your overall
reading speed will be vastly improved.
In addition, skimming allows your subconscious the chance to
absorb the main ideas of a text. These are later cemented by
your speed reading of the contents. The combination of these two
methods allows you greater comprehension of what you are reading.
Conversely, if you are reading from cold, there is more chance
you'll miss certain points or issues. If you want, think of it
as if you are watching a movie for the second time: don't you
always see parts of the movie the second time that you didn't
see the first, which makes the second viewing all the more
relaxing and pleasurable?
How to Skim Read
Having ascertained that skimming will increase our reading
speed, we now need to know how to skim read. Whilst there are
many different methods adopted to skim reading, the following
are the essential elements:
* read the index of a text - note that it is essential that you
do this so that you get the general ideal of what the text is
about;
* read the introduction paragraph of the text;
* read each heading in the text;
* read each sub heading in the text;
* read the first paragraph under each heading and subheading
of the text;
* (if you have time) read the first and last line of the first
and last paragraph of each page;
* (if you have time) read the first and last line of each
independent paragraph;
* read the last paragraph of the text - again, this is very
important as it is usually in this section that you'll find all
of the main concepts of the text being summarized and concluded.
Moreover, when skimming, try using your peripheral eye vision to
identify the main idea of the text, the main dates in the text
(especially if the text relates to historical issues), and any
illustrations/diagrams/graphs. Finally, when you are skimming,
start at the beginning and read straight through to the end. Do
not go back over what you have already read before you have
completed the whole text as this will defeat the purpose of your
skim reading: in any event, you are going to speed read the text
once more after you have completed your skim read!
Remember, skim reading is not intended to replace any reading of
the material. Its intention is to familiarize yourself with the
text so that you can be fully prepared to review it once again
at a later time.
In the event that you find yourself with insufficient time to
both speed read and skim read a text, you should not confine
your reading to a mere skim read as you may find that you miss
out on vital pieces of data. Besides this, enjoy your skim
reading in the comfort of knowing it will enable you to increase
your overall reading speed!
Melvin Ng teaches speed reading through his 16-Minute Speed
Reading Audio Program. This breakthrough technique Guarantees to
Double your reading speed in just 16 minutes!
http://www.best-speed-reading-course.com
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