Quote:
Originally Posted by brecklundin
Interesting 'tests' did the first at 780wpm @ 100%. But those were not tests of comprehension.
So called "comprehension" is a misnomer on these tests. Comprehension, to my thinking, implies a deeper understanding of topics and concepts. These tests measure memorization and regurgitation. Better to read slowly and once then to read fast, memorize, as say for a test in skool, then never actually know what the stuff you memorized really means.
|
Better to read quickly, and then read quickly again to give your brain more chances to memorize things. Given a strict choice I would of course prefer to read through something slowly once than quickly once.
It depends of course on the material. I would rather spend more time on a concept based text and actually understand those concepts. But if it's a novel which I will be tested on I would prefer to read through the novel quickly a few times than slowly once, I find I retain much more that way for the same amount of time invested.
For recreational reading I prefer to read through things quickly simply because I develop a picture in my head of everything happening anyway at this point. Reading slowly instead of speed reading just feels, well, slow.
Actually after spending some time with this speed reading stuff I find I actually write more quickly too because I'm no longer vocalizing everything I'm typing out. If it's something where accuracy is critical then I will read over it once I'm done (which I used to do anyway), but for forum posts and most emails this isn't necessary. The things which slows me down the most is spell check, which is now seems to have been added to every browser and instant messaging client out there.