I just went to test my own reading speed at a website. I had to read an extract from “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and see how long it took me. The text was written in a vernacular style with words distorted to mimic regional accents. Such a text almost forced me to sub-vocalize and it took a *long* time.

Of course, writings in which the authors have focussed on the poetry of their writing deserve to be read a little slower. But if one is still pressed for time a mixture of skimming and slow reading would be a good combination. There’s no point reading a literary classic to get a plot overview; people have already written those. However, if you skim the boring/straightforward bits and occasional drink in the deep poetical style and take some time to picture the scenes that are being woven, then you are truly experiencing the book.

I took a speed reading course in grad school that showed me that I was dyslexic. Now that I healed much of my dyslexia I can do what you suggest.

I’m inclined to agree with you. In my more recent articles on speed reading I don’t talk about subvocalization because I agree it tends to naturally disappear when you start reading faster. That said, I don’t go back and rewrite all my old articles whenever I have a change of opinion.

-Scott

Nice article! Just recently started reading “Breakthrough of rapid reading” I’m now in the chapter about using your finger as a pointer when reading to help you read faster. Question though, would you recommend doing that when reading from a computer? most of my reading materials are in PDF’s, when I try to do the finger pointer technique on a computer, my hand gets tired moving around since your trying to move your finger on a computer monitor, what do you suggest should I do? should I skip the finger pointer technique if reading on a computer?

Thank you in advance!

- Carlo