Reading is an incredibly important skill to have. Just about any form of education will involve reading, sometimes almost exclusively. You can often make yourself an expert on an intellectual subject just by reading enough in that area. But despite the incredible importance of reading, most people are wildly inefficient at it. Like a child that never goes beyond a crawl, most people have enough reading skills to move around, but they are far from running.
Over a year ago I picked up the book, Breakthrough Rapid Reading
When I did the initial test at the start of the book, I could read at 450 words per minute. A little above the average of around 300, but nothing spectacular. By using the techniques I’ll describe in this article I was able to increase that rate to around 900 words per minute in average situations, at least doubling of my reading rate.
I believe there are six major keys to improving your reading skill. Like all skills, success only comes through practice, so just reading this article won’t be enough. But if you are interested in how you might be able to make dramatic improvements in both speed and comprehension, I’ve found these six points to be the best start.
1) Remember, Reading is Not Linear
How do you read a book? Likely from start to finish, never going back and never skipping any sections. This is probably one of the most inefficient ways to read. The beauty of text is that it is non-linear. You can skip down to read only my main bullet points, or read them in practically any order. Although the pattern of start to finish might be a simple one, it isn’t always the most effective.
For most books I do read in a roughly start to finish fashion. But I frequently re-read passages that I want to get a greater understanding of and completely skim over passages that I feel are redundant or unnecessary. Good writers generally add anecdotes or metaphors to improve understanding of a concept which you can skim over top of if you already get their point. Similarly, bad writers often go short on explanation of complex details so re-reading can allow your brain the time to form the concepts.
Not only is reading non-linear but it doesn’t have a set pace. Although I read some books at about 900 words per minute, I slow down to 200 if the passage I am reading is particularly information dense or complicated. Similarly I can skim at over 1500 words per minute if I’m reading mostly fluff. Saying I can read at 900 wpm is like saying I can drive at 100 km/h. Speed reading isn’t just about faster but pacing yourself for the specific reading task you face.
Most people read a book as if it were given to them as a speech. They listen to the author and follow along with what he is saying in a purely sequential manner. In order to reach faster rates of comprehension you have to learn to abandon this tactic. You can start this by not subvocalizing.
2) Stop Subvocalizing
When you started to read you probably read out loud. Your elementary school teacher wanted you to read the book and say the words aloud. After you mastered this skill, you were told to simply say the words inside your head and read quietly. This is where most reading education and skill levels end.
To move to a new level you need to stop sounding the words inside your head or subvocalizing. Subvocalizing takes time, more time than is necessary to comprehend the words you are reading. It is almost impossible to go much beyond 400 or 500 words while subvocalizing. Instead you need to train yourself to read without hearing the words in your head.
But for most people this has become such an ingrained reading habit that they don’t realize that subvocalization is a distinct process to comprehension. If I read at around a thousand words per minute, there is no way I could hear the words in my head while trying to process them. Instead I simply see the word and my brain automatically constructs what has been written. I’ll understand a line of text that I looked over in a second, even though it may have taken at least five just to say the words in my head.
Since most people currently can’t separate the subvocalization from comprehension, they are locked in at a rate of about 400-500 words. Moving beyond that rate requires that you practice reading faster than you can actually read.
Edit: I’ve done a follow-up to explain subvocalization more as I think this post may have confused people a little. Check it out here: Speed Reading Follow-Up
3) Practice Reading
Practice reading doesn’t mean reading. Practice reading involves reading faster than you can actually read. Chances are you won’t comprehend much of what you are reading because your brain is so used to going at a slower rate and subvocalizing. The point is simply to see the text faster than you can read so you can untie the habit of sounding the words as you comprehend them.
You can start doing this by taking out a timer or a stop watch and simply viewing as much text in a book as possible in one minute. Use a book you haven’t read before to ensure your brain is actually practicing instead of relying on memory. Mark out where you started and stopped. Count the number of words per line (use a quick average) and then the number of lines you actually read in the book to compute your practice reading rate.
Once you get used to practice reading at a high rate that you can’t comprehend, you should slowly be able to actually comprehend at a slightly slower rate but still faster than if you subvocalized. I would often practice read at between 1500 and 1800 words per minute, and although I lacked comprehension skill, I could maintain it at about 900-1000, over double what I had done when I subvocalized.
But how can you practice read faster than you can read? How do you follow the text but still go faster than you can read? The answer is another of speed reading tricks, using a pointer.
4) Use a Pointer
Your eyes don’t stay fixed in one spot when reading. Eye tracking movements have shown that your eyes actually quiver and move around considerably. And every movement away from your position in text requires a few milliseconds to readjust. These little readjustments in locating your place in a book add up to be very costly if you want to go faster.
Use your index finger to mark where you are on the page at all times. It should follow along with the word you are currently reading, slowly scrolling across each line and then back down one. It may feel awkward at first and it may even temporarily slow your reading rate as you adjust, but using a pointer is critical if you want to improve your reading skill.
Using a pointer is also crucial if you want to practice read. By moving your finger faster than you can actually read, your eyes get used to viewing text faster than your brain can process what is written down. This will break your subvocalization attachment and can easily let you double your reading rate with sufficient practice.
You should use your finger as a pointer all the time. When I first started with the habit I found it annoying to hold the book in a funny position so I could use my right hand to scroll the page. I thought it was silly and maybe even a waste of time. But now I find it hard to read without a pointer. Noticing how much it has helped me focus my reading efforts it is a priceless tool in reading.
5) Eliminate Distractions
As a university student living on campus I’ve noticed a few of my friends who “study” while watching television. Not surprisingly, these tend to be the same people who complain about how much studying they have to do. Reading can’t happen in an environment where external distractions are overwhelming.
If you need a break, take a break. Taking a few minutes to watch a television show, listen to some music or just close your eyes can often improve your focus. But don’t multitask with your reading or you’ll lose any benefits speed reading can offer. Worse, because you have stopped subvocalizing, you might even skim through several pages before you realize you haven’t comprehended anything that was written.
Distractions will hamper regular reading but they will make speed reading impossible. Subvocalization creates enough mental noise that it can hold your attention, but without that it can often be difficult to stick with what you are reading.
External distractions may be a problem, but internal distractions are just as bad. They occur when in the midst of reading you start pondering that conversation you just had with a friend, the movie you want to see or whether you should do your laundry. The way to remove internal distractions comes from clearly identifying a purpose and a motivation.
6) Find Your Motivation
If there was one piece of advice I would offer to improve your reading rate it would be simply to engross yourself in the material you are studying. If you can connect what you are reading to a deeply held motivation, and determine your specific purpose for reading you can maintain a very alert and focused state.
Most people don’t do this. Instead they force themselves to study the book they know they should and end up having to refocus themselves every thirty seconds when their mind decides that this book is boring and would like to be somewhere else.
First, find a general motivation. This is how what you are reading relates to your truly motivating goals and passions in life. When I read my psychology textbook I focus on the fact that many personal development principles come from an understanding of human psychology and that I may discover new ideas if I look carefully. When studying ancient Asian history I focused on the fact that studying a completely different culture could offer insights into how Western and Eastern value systems differed, giving me new thoughts on whether my values are as absolute as I once thought. I also focused on the fact that many great philosophers such as Buddha and Confucius lived during these times with a profound influence on the ideas of these nations.
The general motivation should make you want to read the book. If you don’t genuinely want to read the book, come up with more reasons it is attached to your deepest interests or it is going to be a struggle to move through. You can find a general motivation for reading any book if you are creative enough, so don’t tell me you can’t figure out one.
The second portion is to determine your specific motivation for reading. What are you specifically looking for when reading the book. New ideas? A practical solution to a problem? An understanding of a concept? A chance to flex your mental muscles? Figure out what you want to get out of each reading session so your mind is primed to intake that knowledge.
If you are interested in improving your speed reading, I strongly suggest Breakthrough Rapid Reading
I'm a speed-reading, vegetarian, holistic learning, productivity hacking recent university graduate. And, for the last five years I've been experimenting to find out how to get more from life.
wow that was useful. I feel like just by reading that article I can now speed read… just by knowing how and bothering to try.
I used to practice meditation, and in meditation I would try not to vocalize thoughts. I think it’s sort of a similar idea in a sense… just the idea that you don’t have to tie the information being conveyed to the way specific words are pronounced.
and now I’m in China, studying Chinese. Chinese writing doesn’t convey much phonetic information, and often enough I couldn’t pronounce the chinese words I’m reading even though I know what they mean.
This is making me wonder that much more about inherent differences in the way native literate Chinese speakers process information as opposed to us users of phonetically written languages.
One study I read recently, http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/dn9422-mother-tongue-may-determine-maths-skills.html
suggests that Chinese speakers fundamentally process mathematical problems differently, using different areas of the brain.
-brian
I don’t like using a pointer, as I’m reading faster than being able to move the pointer in a usefull manner. But for not so interesting texts a pointer helps me to concentrate on reading.
Read through the articles, but not all the comments. Very helpful! After reading about the pointer and subvocalization, I tried speed-reading the rest, and it worked fairly well (using pen or finger as pointer). I didn’t get every word, but I got the gist of it.
I’ve taken a huge interest in personal development and blogs lately, meaning lots of articles, so this was amazingly helpful. Thanks!
Scott,
I found the part on finding motivation very informative and interesting. I read pretty fast already, but I found speed reading a bit difficult. I guess the results vary from person to person. I’ll try practicing, though.
Referring to the pointer thing- I find it distracting. I mean, it’s hard to focus my attention on the words when there’s something moving over the paper.
Secondly, I’m very easily distracted by other things while reading. There used to be a time when I could read effectively anywhere and everywhere (even on a train station), but now even a tiny sound sends me off the track.
Okay, I know I’m just rattling off my own difficulties in reading, but do you have any solutions?
Thanks!
Amna,
Try committing to the pointer suggestion for a week of reading. I also found it distracting initially. But now I can’t read without it. The control it gives in reading is remarkable.
-Scott
I’m not sure about the recommendation of a pointer. I’ve done that for years, but not read long prose for a long while — focusing on technical texts. Now that I’m reading prose again, I find that I’ve lost the discipline to read left to right and *need* a pointer or my eyes track wildly off point. I don’t always want or have the freedom to use a pointer. I think using a pointer has reduced my ability to read text on the web comfortably. I’m glum about the whole thing.
I got that book a few years ago, and I haven’t really been able to finish it, but I’m not quite into the pointer thing. I can control my eyes OK without it, but it’s worth a try. It helps when you are first trying to learn some of the techniques that require to make a bunch of loops with more than one finger. I think the pointer should be used until control is gained, and then you may discard or keep using.
[...] is helpful and a short read, since we’re assuming you don’t read fast to begin with. Scott H Young’s Blog This one is a bit more intesive, taking ideas from the book, Breakthrough Rapid Reading by Peter [...]
Great post Scott. I especially agree with the whole motivation thing–it’s amazing how fast and with how much comprehension you can read a book if you are very interested in the subject. I have had times where I end up basically reading through a book while standing in a bookstore just because I’mso interested in the subject. I use a pointer in a “Z” pattern, which was a concept in a speed-reading book I read a long time ago. I usually focus on the spaces between the text and try to essentially read 3 lines at a time. Something about the pointer motion is very helpful. On a computer monitor I just move my cursor in small movements back and forth, which seems to do the job. Excellent post. I look forward to reading more on your blog.
Great work! I agree with the idea to take a break, if you need to, to relax and refresh your brain for a bit. I usually take a 15-minute-break for every 2 hours reading.
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I was wondering recently how come sometimes it seems I read slower than other people…and after reading this page I just found out the main reason: subvocalization!! Truth is I didnt think of this before, but I tried it and it really works, just needs a little bit of practice and focus at start. Thanks for all yous ideas!
Scott, the information really was great help to me.. thx!!
Just a question, do you know anything about a different hardcover version of the book? http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-Rapid-Reading-Secrets-Speed/dp/B000OSQ7IM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204923817&sr=1-3
And do you know if the older hardcover version is anything different than the newer paperback version?
Thanks again for the post!!
[...] productivity and goal setting. Some of Scott’s popular articles include: Habitual Mastery, Double Your Reading Rate and How to Ace Your Finals Without Studying. You can get his free e-book on Holistic Learning here [...]
I honestly didn’t realize that most people routinely subvocalize until I read this article. I can only barely remember doing such a thing; I think maybe reading Lord of the Rings at age 10 broke me of it, since I didn’t know how to pronounce a lot of the words which I nevertheless figured out from context.
Regardless, though, I disagree with the pointer method. It seems like another limitation to be disregarded, like subvocalization, once you can get by without it. I read faster than my finger can move, and often employ a holistic approach to each sentence, in that I comprehend the entire sentence without focusing on any of the individual words.
Taylor,
The reasoning behind using a pointer is that it keeps your eyes focused on one part of the page. Your eyes don’t actually stay fixed, but make tiny twitches while you’re reading. A pointer allows them to quickly fixate back on to the location you were reading, saving time.
-Scott
[...] my article on speed reading, it seems that my article on holistic learning has brought a fair bit of confusion and controversy [...]
[...] know that some articles I write will just take off. A couple posts here including Habitual Mastery, Double Your Reading Rate and How to Ace Your Finals Without Studying, became huge hits. When Habitual Mastery got picked up [...]
I have always been parnoid about my reading abilitys until I came across this web page. I read slow, and I mean slow. I find it very difficult to read out load and can just about manage reading in my head. I find it difficult to define most of the words I read, probably because of the deep and broad subjects im in to, and it would take me ages to get to the point about something interesting ive just read.
After reading all of these comments, before trying or learning the skill, I think it will not work for me,yet! my vocabulary is small. I will try to learn the skill but this skill can only come with skilled readers who have a wealth words and definitions stored in there long term memory, you wont need to say the words in your head, just look at them, your subconciuos mind will do the rest, build the picture without you knowing.
I think that some readers will mistake speed reading as solution to there slow reading/dedication towards there rather thick new book. 1000 words per minute sounds impossible to me, but reading alone seemed impossible when I was at school…. my new car has 225bhp, i use it when I need it, not when taking my family out, or tring to find a parking space. You get me?
What is the specification of a human mind? I mean, whats its limits?
It reaches its limit when there is doubt, limited by narrow minds who cannot see what you achive simply by having faith in yourself, as the mind is not phisical, imagination cant grasp it.
The above frame of mind has gaind me knowledge in many subjects I never heard of, and can now score around 114 in iq tests. not bad to say its almost doubled since positive thinking and going to “thick school” not my words, bullys words.
Anything has the potential, its down to belief that its possible. Tried and tested and trying this exciting skill with the same attitude.
Thank you for inspiration, and rare being that likes to help.
gamer,
Actually in the book, Breakthrough Rapid Reading, it suggests that you don’t go ahead with speed reading until your comprehension and reading level is at least 200 wpm. Speed reading is less effective if you still need to work on your vocabulary. Thanks for the comment.
-Scott
Dear Mr. Scott:
What interest me the most about your article is
the motivational aspect. I am a 52 year old adult who wants to motivate myself to be an avid reader.
Are there any tools (tapes, books or anything)
that will help motivate me to read.
I notice you mentioned the book “Breakthrough
Rapid Reading” by Peter Kump, will this book mo-
tivate me to be an avid reader? In other words will
it put me on the right track? Please respond quickly!! Thank You
Sincerely,
B L. Bennett
Lavern,
I don’t think it can provide the motivation to learn more, but it provides you the tools to do so. Read my article, “The Goal of Learning Everything” if you want some ideas on my motivation to read a lot of books.
-Scott
Scott,
To use a pointer when reading on the computer screen I use “stickies”
This is an application comes bundled with all macintosh computers.
Here is a screenshot of how it looks when reading,
view at Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/andresito10/2627379368/
I suppose you can use a small window for example in computers with windows OS.
Hi Scott,
I am someone who wants to do a lot of functional reading, I buy books like anything. I have a lot of book around me most of the time. Sometimes for references, sometimes for reading, sometimes the piles that I have not been able to finish because while reading one of those books I came across another book mentioned, I went and bought that book and then this continues.
I believe I have not been managing my book reading. That is just one point. However, the important point that I want to make here is that, according to my research, different books should have different strategy to be used. As most books are not the same, the purpose too might be different for reading. Also, at times you are reading a book on a subject that you have already read once, here you find lot of stuff that is already known to you.
So, based on the types of book we can create different strategy, this is what I do. I have been watching a lot of stuff on YouTube about reading. I came across Marshal’s reading methods. I implement that in some of my readings, the techniques you mentioned here are used for most of the serious reading.
At times, I get down to create mindmaps and even write the points about the books so that to establish the relationship of conscious with sub-conscious.
Came across a RapidReader software, downloaded the Trial Version and read some of my books. I was surprized to find out what is really needed to read something. Just a glance at words is more than enough. Though I didn’t by the software but thankfully I came across some basic things required.
Your articles on reading were the onces from where my journey started. I have more than doubled my speed. Though still on an average side. But thanks to you.
Cheers,
Chandan
That’s great, Chandran.
-Scott
Great post! I found a website that has some speed reading classes you can watch online for free: http://www.irisreading.com/speedreadingwebinars
[...] Scott H Young’s Personal Development Blog. Focused on achievement and goals. Some of my favorite posts are Habitual Mastery and Double Your Reading Rate [...]
Great information Scott. Thanks for posting it.
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Was googling for how to read faster and this was a good find. I find it easier to break subvocalizing by murmuring when I’m reading (I never realized what subvocalizing was until I read this article). You were first trained to sound it out so maybe going back and not sounding it out (really) can help.
Thanks Scott, a great article. I did one article about this subject myself and was looking for other articles on the same subject. I will try some of the tips you mentioned.
Nice piece!!! I am so glad that I saw your article.
I am a non-native English speaker. When I read, I need to subvocalize every word, even those functional words (e.g. of, in, at, with…), to comprehend the content. But this reading habit has made me feel frustrated in class. In one o my classes, the professor sometimes distributes case study aritles for us to read in class and then discuss. Whenever my American classmates get ready to talk about it, I still have a couple pages to go. Worse, under this circumstance, I am always too nervous to really comprehend the pages I have read, so I usually end up saying nothing. : (
Anyway, I’m gonna try the ways you suggest and let you know if it works for non-native speakers. : )
Hi,
when I search the web I have got two entries for Breakthrough Rapid reading.
1. published by prentice hall
2) published by Penquin Books (2nd edition).
Let me know whether I can go for the 2nd option. but it is not available in amazon.com.
If you’re looking to get the book, I’d just follow the link I have up at the top of the post.
-Scott
[...] process, as the effectiveness of any method is certainly not universal, and there are a lot of methods out there. Today, I’m going to develop my requirements for a reading system as an [...]
“Good writers generally add anecdotes or metaphors to improve understanding of a concept which you can skim over top of if you already get their point. Similarly, bad writers often go short on explanation of complex details so re-reading can allow your brain the time to form the concepts.”
That’s right!
Thanks, my rate tripled just from contemplating upon ‘Stop Sub-Vocalizing’.
Hi Scott – great post. You’re in a great place looking into this kind of stuff whilst at uni. I only learned about spead reading AFTER uni. Crazy. I’ve been heavily influenced by Tony Buzan, who talks about a lot of the things you do above – but you’ve added your own tips, too.
I have a short blog (don’t wanna waste too much of your time) about reading and digesting books – http://visionadvancement.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/how-to-devour-and-digest-books/
The biggest challenge in speed reading is to be able to read fast and comprehend at least 60% of what’s being read (non-vocalized), I have tried and have been unsuccessful in able to comprehend anything without vocalizing. If I don’t , I don’t comprehend anything. Do you have an article that gives you step by step guideline move away from vocalizing ?
i read this page in 9seconds!!! tytytytytytytytytytytyttytytyty for helping me read faster!!!!!!
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