Reading Study Skills: How to Speed Read
1. Test Your Start Time
Figure out how quickly you read now. Read a few passages about the same length and take your average time. This will be a good starting point.
2. No Distractions
Take away everything that might possibly distract you, this will make it easier to focus completely on what you are reading.
3. Light
Make sure you have plenty of good light
4. A Stand
It is easier to speed read with a book stand or prop to hold your book up.
5. Pick the Right Subjects
History is easier to speed read than some English novels. Assess your subject before hand and figure out your level of speed so you do not disappoint yourself or your student.
6. Pre-Read
Read the back of the book, the table of contents and all of the headings and subheadings before starting with actual content. This helps your speed tremendously and is quick.
7. Know Your Goal
Before speed reading, know what you are reading for. To get the main idea? For a paper? To discuss points in class? And then only read for your goal.
8. Do Not Re-Read
This takes practice, try continuing on even if you normally would go back and re-read something, often times you got it without realizing it.
9. Follow Your FInger
With your finger move quickly along each line focusing on the first and last sentence and any bold words.
10. Word Block
Focus on blocks of important words to get the main idea.
11. Practice
We have these steps in much more detail in our Study Skills Webinar.
