Post: #1

To all precocious readers:

What is a good way to increase reading speed? I was never a voracious reader growing up but want to cultivate a deeper interest in books; aside from continuously reading books I enjoy, are there any other ways to increase your reading rate without several years of immersion?

Post: #2

Either you have it or not.I am a fast reader.I can read a 400 pages book in 3-4 hours and remember most of it.It comes also with exercise if you read a lot you imagine what word will usually follow and you read only the first letters of it.When I want to read sth extremely fast(for example time pressing) I apply diagonal reading.I read one word from every sentence moving sight diagonally from left upper to right lower corner of page and then do the same moving from right upper corner to left lower one.In this way I get about 60-70% of the text because I fill in the gaps with likely words.
With experience you focus immediately on the important words of the text and skip the less important.You also recognize which sentences are essential for the meaning (indispensable) and which not.Of course if the article is scientific or the author too dense this is much more difficult.I am generally a speed person everything moving slowly makes me want to sleep.

Post: #3

+1 For the above. There is some more knowledge in this thread that may help - /thread-10259.html

Post: #4

For someone who reads like that you have some weird punctuation habits

Post: #5

If you're trying to read a textbook or notes what I do is read almost diagonally, just make sure you get the first few words of each sentence then, as kamaki said, you can just piece together the rest of it, but you still get the main idea.
If you want to speed through a novel, or get past some boring parts, I like to just skim through anything that isn't dialogue. (Wait till you see quotation marks)

Other than that you just have to read alot, it will improve slowly without you noticing.

Post: #6

I can read insanely fast. The problem is, if I do this, much of the meaning and essence is lost and un-purposely ignored. Which takes away the point of enjoying a good read.

So I just keep it just a little bit over moderate reading speed.


Just keep reading, if you can improve, you will. If you can't, then just enjoy what you can do.

Post: #7

Appreciate the help you guys