Speed Reading - Be an Active Reader

Before you even look at the text, scan it, and read it, ask first the question, "What am I going to learn here? What is the author's conclusion? How does the author present the topic? What are the key points to the argument?" Such questions function to engage you in the activity. If you ask a question in a lecture, you always remember the answer to the question. Similarly, if you become an 'active reader' you are much more likely to retain the information that you amass.

Answer the Questions at the End of each Chapter

Most academic textbooks that students own contain exercises or quizzes at the end of each chapter to evaluate you on how much have you learned during the whole reading activity. It would be very helpful to answer these questions. If you have come across an item in which you can’t really answer, go back and read. At least, you would know what topics have you or have you not known.

Think about the text in three ways.

1. Consider the text itself, the basic information right there on the page. (This is the level of most high school readers and many college students);
2. Next think about what is between the lines, the conclusions and inferences the author means you to draw from the text;
3. Finally, go beyond thinking about the text. What creative, new, and different thoughts occur as you combine the knowledge and experiences with the ideas in the reading?

Question While you are Surveying

• Turn the title, headings, and/or subheadings into questions;
• Read questions at the end of the chapters or after each subheading;
• Ask the question, "What did my instructor say about this chapter or subject when it was assigned?"
• Ask the question, "What do I already know about this subject?"

This variation belongs to what we called and discussed SQ3R Method.  This method has been a proven way to sharpen study skills.

Stop reading periodically to recall what you have read. Try to recall main headings, important ideas of concepts presented in bold or italicized type, and what graphs charts or illustrations indicate. Try to develop an overall concept of what you have read in other and thoughts. Try to connect things you have just read to things you already know. When you do this periodically, the chances are you will remember much more and be able to recall material for papers, essays and objective tests.

Reading Critically

If you are not satisfied with basic understanding of a text, this advice sheet will give you some ideas on how to read between the lines. In other words, you will be able to distinguish opinions from facts; and you will be able to form your own judgment on the issues raised in a text. This advice sheet will also give you advice on how to make use of text organization to understand a text.

Recite After Each Section

• Ask the questions about what you have just read and/or summarize, in other words, what you read
• Take notes from the text but write the information in other words
• Underline/highlight important points you've just read
• Use the method of recitation which best suits of the particular learning style but remember, the more senses you use the more likely you are to remember what you read - i.e.,

Remember the triple learning strength: Seeing-> saying, hearing, and writing.

Next Page Limit Points of Fixation to Speed Read