Quote:
Originally Posted by faithbw
I agree that some people can read 500 wpm and enjoy a book. Reading 500 wpm isn't much faster than average of 200-400 wpm. That's not my issue. I think some people will just naturally read faster than others. My husband reads much faster than me. He retains just as much as I do but it just takes him less time to do so.
What I got from the OP is that he wanted some type of method for learning to read faster for the sake of reading words faster than he already does (maybe I misunderstood...apologies if I did). Methods for getting people to read 1000 wpm don't have any scientific support to back up claims of success and some studies have shown that people reading at that speed don't comprehend what they're reading. So yes, your eyes are going over more words but what's the point if you're not retaining what you're reading? If you're not retaining what you're reading then how can you enjoy it?
http://lifehacker.com/the-truth-abou...ing-1542508398
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/ar...ssible/284326/ |
Faster is not always better I agree. But I have found in many areas that trying to do things better or faster or more efficiently for short periods has increased both my ability and enjoyment. Or in some areas decreased my dislike of certain things.
Some things I will never do well, and many things I just don't want to do.
Probably the only way I increase my speed is by reading a fair amount (practice) but I have been doing that for about 60 years so don't see a big chance of improvement
I also do as Katsunami mentions and with fonts and line length, but this more of a comfort thing and I have no idea if it makes me read faster or slower.
I think you are right about the OP wanting to read faster, and I see no reason trying various methods would be harmful unless one became fanatical about it.
I also see no reason to worry about it or feel one should read faster except for studying perhaps and retention is even more important there.
As I mentioned there are thousands of books I would like to read, and more being written all the time. But even if I read 10 times as fast I would never get to read them all, so it is in the vague wish list category for when I finally find Aladdin's lamp, not something I even think about unless I see the topic mentioned.
Helen