Suggestions For Improving Speed Reading And Effectiveness
detailed today, and still will be summed up tomorrow. Thus, readers tend to not read news articles as extensively as other technical materials. Using this style of reading, called the Reading News Method, to other materials is useful. It disregards redundant information to save time.
You use the Reading News Method when you’re reading from a report, newspaper, magazine, or newsletter. You skip what you already know and read only the new information you need.
Reading Newspapers Method
In reading newspaper articles, look through the headlines and first paragraphs only. Reporters present 80% of the key information of the news in the opening paragraph. The subsequent supporting text should be read only as needed. Follow these strategies:
– Ask yourself what other specific details you want.
– Skim the article for the desired details. Don’t read all the words unless you have enough time.
– When finished with an article, go on to the next. This whole process should not take more than 10-15 minutes.
Close Reading Method
Close reading is the essence of the academic learning. It aims to acquire knowledge from materials with full retention of details. It divides into a number of separate steps, each vital, but ends as a whole.
Before reading a difficult piece of writing, take a few moments to close your eyes, relax, and take 2-3 deep breaths. This way, you can get all the comfort you will need in reading. Believe that you can read with full concentration, recognize key information, and achieve high comprehension quickly to accomplish the needs. Believe you can, and you will.
This may simply sound like “positive mental attitude.” But realization of everything begins with affirmation, doesn’t it?
Exploratory Reading Method
Exploratory reading is the halfway point between skimming and close reading. It is similar to pleasure reading. You want to acquaint yourself with the subject, but you do not need complete understanding and retention. Perhaps you are reading supplementary material that you will not be held accountable for, or perhaps you only need to gain general knowledge from a text that will be available if you need to look up specific references.
Reading to Learn Method
Intensive reading or reading to learn is the style we employ when we want to gain a detailed understanding of the information contained in any reading materials, particularly educational or technical ones.
Following are some strategies on reading different academic materials that belong to this category:
1. Reading Computer Books
Spend some time reading the chapter headings and sub-headings from the index page.
Get familiar with the framework of the book – how the book is organized and broken down into its sub-components.
Skim the book: Read a sentence here, a sentence there. Look at a diagram here, a diagram there.
Look for new terminology, diagrams, and graphs that you haven’t come across before.
After skimming the book, read the entire book through superficially. During this time, only concentrate on the sections of the book that you already know or understand, and completely skip over entries in the book that you don’t.
Lastly, read the book again and this time, study the material. A lot of the content, the structure, and the feel of the book will be familiar to you. You should be able to tackle the entire book much easier.
Determine a purpose. What is it that you want to get from the printed page? Terms and definitions? Problem and solution? Research method?
Preview the printed pages to see how the ideas are organized. These include the title, the introduction, and the headings. Also, read the conclusion if there is one.
Read rapidly, only slowing down when you approach something relevant to the purpose you set.
Mark the lines or words that you want to remember. When you reach the end of the last page, quickly look back at the marked text for a rapid review. This should answer the question or purpose that you set before you started reading.
2. Reading Textbooks and Research Reports
Determine a purpose. What is it that you want to get from the printed page? Terms and definitions? Problem and solution? Research method?
Preview the printed pages to see how the ideas are organized. These include the title, the introduction, and the headings. Also, read the conclusion if there is one.
Read rapidly, only slowing down when you approach something relevant to the purpose you set.
Mark the lines or words that you want to remember. When you reach the end of the last page, quickly look back at the marked text for a rapid review. This should answer the question or purpose that you set before you started reading.
3. Reading a Novel
Read any information on the book cover