Speed Reading - Basic Conditions for Increased Reading Rate

Your program for maximum reading speed increase should establish 4 basic conditions. These include:

1. Have your eyes checked. Reading uses the eyes as the most basic and essential tool. So before getting on a speed reading program, make sure to have your eyes examine by eye doctors for any correctable eye defects you may have. Often, very slow reading is related to uncorrected eye defects. Taking care of the eyes is also as important.

2. Eliminate the habit of pronouncing words as you read. Reading silently is 2-3 times faster than reading aloud because sounding out words in the throat takes a lot more time. If you are aware of sounding or "hearing" words as you read, try to concentrate on key words and meaningful ideas as you force yourself to read faster.

3. Avoid regressing (rereading). The average student reading rate of 250 wpm regresses about 20 times per page. Rereading words and phrases is a habit which will slow your reading speed down to a snail's pace. Usually, regressing is not necessary anymore since the ideas you want will still be explained and elaborated more fully in later contexts. Furthermore, the slowest reader usually regresses most frequently. Because he reads slowly, his mind has time to wander and his rereading reflects both his inability to concentrate and his lack of confidence in his comprehension skills.

4. Develop a wider eye-span. This will help you read more at each glance and will let you learn read by phrases or thought units, instead of word-by-word.

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