Fast readers have an advantage over slow ones. They get through their work faster and in many cases can understand and appreciate more of what they read.

Some people are slow readers just out of habit. If you are one of these, try for a while to make yourself read faster. This alone may increase your speed, and after you get used to it, you will not have to force yourself.

Remember, though, that the speed is not the most important thing in reading. Comprehension and appreciation are. It will be harmful to level up your reading if the result is failure to understand and enjoy. Also, there are many kinds of reading that should never be done fast – poetry, mathematics problems, legal documents, directions, and many works of literature.

It is the casual reading which you should learn to do rapidly – the newspapers, the magazines, and many novels. Many people enjoy reading on the floor, slouched in chair, or in bed. However, if you have trouble concentrating or are trying to increase your speed, you may do better by following the guides.

Guides for Efficient Reading

1. Read in a good light; have another lamp on in the same room; avoid glare from the page.

2. Sit in a firm, upright chair if you tend to get sleepy.

3. Try to hold your book so that the top and the bottom of the page are about the same distance from your eyes, otherwise the constant change of focus will tire them.

4. Rest your eyes every fifteen minutes or so. Close then for a few seconds or look at t distant object.

5. Concentrate completely. Remove or learn to ignore distractions. If possible, settle      pressing problems ahead of time and read in a quiet place.

 

By: Victoria D. Ramos | T-II | A.G. Llamas Elementary School