How To Read Faster And Become More Productive?

#1 Read the Text Only Once

Undoubtedly, you have a lot of information to go though during academic courses. And sometimes this information seems to be too complex. Nevertheless, try to get the value from it at the first attempt. Returns (regressions) are not allowed if you do want to become a speed reader! If you do feel it is necessary, please be sure to read the text up to the very end, and only then return to the beginning. Such practice will allow you to stay focused when reading and instantly analyze the heading for a college paper.

Many people are used reading every text twice. Sometimes we just do it just for sure and “for better understanding.” Actually, the effectiveness of such a reading is very low: firstly, it is very slow; secondly, too many returns may destroy slender narrative frame, create chaos in the head, and confuse the reader.

Thus, be sure to get rid of returns. Of course, the fight against the addiction will be hard, but it’s really worth it. If you do need a return, try to return mentally to restore the missing puzzle.

After reading a paragraph, think carefully about the content, try to remember as many valuable details as you can, and only then continue reading. After a few days of such training, you’ll feel you can perceive the information from the first time.

 #2 Use an Integral Reading Algorithm to Search Faster

Don’t be confused with the phrase “an integral algorithm.” It means before opening a textbook, you must clearly decide on the information you want to get. Then the chaotic and unorganized reading becomes subjected to a single goal. For example, before start searching for portfolio templates, predefine the core values. And then, when searching, consider only the options that suit the stated criteria.

The algorithm of a speed reader typically includes 7 blocks-to-read:

1. Title
2. Author
3. Source (for example, the name and the number of a newspaper or magazine).
4. Problem
5. Facts
6. Features of the material (genre, style, information richness) and criticism (agreement/disagreement, approval/rejection).
7. The novelty of the material and the possibility of an applied use.

These are successive stages, so if the first one doesn’t suit you, you may return to the search.

In fact, every text has some redundancy, sometimes up to 75%.  In practice, only 25% of information bears the meaning for a particular reader. Although for scientific text, the % is somehow higher, the algorithm above will greatly boost your search productivity.

#3 Always Allocate the Basic Meaning of the Text

In every text, there are words that push you read further or signalize the change in meaning is not expected. As well, there are words that warn us about the changes to the plot and the concepts. By learning how to use these words-signals, you can highlight the most significant in the individual paragraphs and in the whole text.

If you have no time to read two books, you have the following choice:

1. Read one of the books from cover to cover.
2. Read the main facts of the both books.
3. Analyze the content and get what you really needs.

Obviously #3 is the most appropriate option. You have to learn to close the books that are out of the interest. Boosting the effectiveness is not about reading more, but reading more effectively!

#4 Don’t Articulate While Reading

Most of us have the habit to “pronounce” the text inwardly. The tongue and lips are seemed to be static, but it’s only at the first glance. According to research, small fluctuations occur even when we think we are absolutely static.

To learn to read silently, try this exercise:

• While reading a book, tap a rhythm with a pen clamped in three fingers against a solid surface. Try not to churn the rhythm. During a week, read simple texts on a daily basis simultaneously tapping a rhythm for at least an hour. At first, it will be difficult, but soon you realize that you are able to read and tap at the same time. After 15-20 hours of exercise, you’ll completely get rid of articulating. Then you may turn to reading any kind of literature, including scientific.

#5 Read by the Vertical Eye Movement

Speed reading implies panoramic vision. To develop it, you can use special Schulte tables. A Schulte table is a 20×20 cm square divided into 25 cells with randomly inscribed numbers from 1 to 25. There are 8 such tables. Your task is to focus the vision on the center of the table and find the numbers from 1 to 25 (the ramp-up) for no more than 25 seconds. Over time, you will be able to cover entire table, and thus an entire page of a text.

#6 Stay Focused and Train Your Memory

What’s the point to read fast and a lot if you’re unable to memorize it? Thus, you have to constantly train your memory and attention. For example, you can try these special exercises.

Better memorizing can be achieved though writing the main concepts that you’ve just read. By this, you’ll get a helpful summary and activate additional memorizing mechanisms.