10 Days to Faster Reading

10 Days to Faster Reading Plot Summary

Introduction

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the mountain of reading material piling up on your desk? Or perhaps you've experienced that familiar pang of guilt when you glance at the unread books on your shelf? In today's information-rich world, the ability to read quickly and effectively isn't just a nice skill to have—it's essential for success and personal growth. The truth is, most of us were never properly taught how to read efficiently after elementary school. We've been using the same reading techniques we learned as children, even though our adult needs are vastly different. But imagine being able to double or even triple your reading speed while maintaining or improving comprehension. Think about what you could accomplish with that extra time and knowledge. The good news is that speed reading isn't a magical talent reserved for a gifted few—it's a learnable skill that anyone can master with the right techniques and consistent practice.

Chapter 1: Identify Your Current Reading Patterns

Speed reading begins with understanding where you are now. Most adults read at about 200-300 words per minute, but with proper techniques, you can dramatically increase this rate. The first step is recognizing your current habits, particularly the three most common barriers to faster reading: subvocalization, regression, and limited visual span. Subvocalization is that inner voice that pronounces each word as you read. While we all do this to some extent, excessive subvocalization limits your reading speed to your speaking rate—about 150 words per minute. Abby Marks Beale, a reading efficiency expert, explains that subvocalization is a remnant from our early reading education when we were taught to sound out words. This habit, though helpful for beginning readers, becomes a significant limitation for adults who need to process large volumes of information quickly. Consider the experience of a lawyer Beale worked with who, despite years of education and professional success, struggled with reading efficiency. He confessed that he would often read the same paragraph multiple times because he didn't understand it the first time. This regression—going back to reread material—is another major speed inhibitor. The lawyer had managed his career despite these inefficiencies but finally reached a breaking point with his reading workload. To identify your patterns, try timing yourself reading a page of text and calculate your words per minute. Notice if your lips move as you read or if you hear every word in your head. Pay attention to how often you go back to reread sentences. These observations provide valuable data about your current reading style and highlight specific areas for improvement. The good news is that simple techniques can help overcome these patterns. For instance, using a pacer—your finger, a pen, or a card—to guide your eyes down the page can reduce regression and increase speed. The key is to move the pacer downward rather than across the page, and never stop or go back. This technique alone can significantly boost your reading efficiency. Remember that becoming aware of your reading patterns isn't about judgment—it's about creating a starting point for improvement. Everyone begins somewhere, and recognizing your current habits is the first step toward transforming your reading experience.

Chapter 2: Eliminate Subvocalization Habits

Subvocalization—that inner voice pronouncing each word as you read—is perhaps the most significant barrier to faster reading. When you "talk" while reading, you limit yourself to approximately 150 words per minute, which is average speaking speed. Breaking this habit can dramatically increase your reading rate without sacrificing comprehension. Beale shares a personal story about how she discovered the impact of subvocalization. As a student, she struggled with reading assignments and rarely read for pleasure. She couldn't understand why anyone would want to read a newspaper every day! It wasn't until she learned to reduce her inner voice that reading became more efficient and enjoyable. She emphasizes that you cannot completely eliminate subvocalization—nor should you try to—but you can significantly reduce it. There are specific situations where subvocalization is actually beneficial. When reading poetry, dialogue from plays, or complex legal documents, hearing the rhythm and intonation helps appreciation and understanding. Students studying for exams often benefit from hearing information repeated. However, for most everyday reading—emails, reports, articles, and non-fiction books—excessive subvocalization simply slows you down. To reduce subvocalization, try these practical techniques: First, simply read faster! This naturally reduces the inner voice because you simply cannot pronounce every word when moving quickly through text. Second, focus on key words—the longer, more meaningful words in sentences—rather than every small connecting word. Third, use a pacer like your finger or a card to pull your eyes down the page at a faster rate than your inner voice can keep up with. For more stubborn cases of subvocalization, try these creative approaches: press your index finger to your lips as if telling yourself to be quiet; chew three or more pieces of gum while reading; or hum a tune to yourself. These techniques occupy the speech mechanisms that contribute to subvocalization, freeing your mind to process text more quickly. With practice, you'll notice that reducing subvocalization not only increases your reading speed but also improves concentration. When your mind isn't busy pronouncing every word, it can focus more fully on understanding and connecting with the material.

Chapter 3: Expand Your Eye Span Systematically

The average reader's eyes make small, jerky movements across a line of text, stopping about four times per second. During these stops, called fixations, the eyes take in information. The amount of text you can see in one fixation is your eye span. Expanding this span is crucial for faster reading because it allows you to take in more words with each eye stop. Dr. Emile Javal, a French ophthalmologist, discovered in 1878 that our field of focus is wider than previously thought. This groundbreaking finding laid the foundation for modern speed reading. Beale explains that untrained readers typically see only one word at a time, while efficient readers can perceive phrases or thought groups in a single fixation. The difference in reading speed between these two approaches is dramatic. One participant in Beale's workshop, a middle manager named Michael, was skeptical that he could train his eyes to see more at once. During an eye span exercise where participants focus on a central number while trying to perceive numbers on either side, Michael initially struggled. However, after consistent practice with the eye span pyramid exercise, he began to notice improvement. Within a week, he reported being able to read reports in half the time, capturing multiple words in each fixation. To systematically expand your eye span, start with the eye span pyramid exercise. Focus on the number at the center of each line while trying to perceive the numbers at both ends simultaneously. Begin with shorter lines and gradually progress to longer ones. Another effective technique is phrase flashing: briefly expose a phrase using an index card, then try to recall what you saw. These exercises train your peripheral vision and expand your visual intake capacity. Next, practice reading in thought groups rather than individual words. For example, instead of reading "The dog / ran / across / the street," try seeing "The dog ran / across the street" as two thought units. This approach not only increases speed but also improves comprehension because you're processing complete ideas rather than isolated words. For daily practice, try reading between the lines by focusing on the white space just above each line of text. This forces your eyes to use peripheral vision more effectively. With consistent practice, these techniques will become second nature, and you'll find yourself naturally taking in more text with each eye fixation.

Chapter 4: Develop Strategic Pre-viewing Techniques

Pre-viewing is the art of surveying material before diving into detailed reading. This approach provides a mental roadmap that dramatically improves both speed and comprehension. Think of it as examining a physical map before taking a journey—you gain valuable orientation that makes the actual trip more efficient and enjoyable. Beale recounts working with a corporate executive named Sarah who constantly felt overwhelmed by her reading workload. Despite being highly intelligent, Sarah would start each document at the beginning and read every word until the end, regardless of its relevance to her needs. After learning pre-viewing techniques, Sarah discovered she could extract 40-50% of the key information in just a fraction of the time, allowing her to make informed decisions about which sections warranted deeper reading. The transformation in Sarah's approach was remarkable. Rather than feeling obligated to read everything thoroughly, she began strategically sampling the text to determine its value and relevance. For a ten-page report that previously would have taken thirty minutes to read, Sarah now spent eight minutes pre-viewing and another fifteen minutes on focused reading of only the most relevant sections. Not only did she save time, but she also retained more information because she approached the material with better context and purpose. To develop your own pre-viewing system, follow these steps: First, examine the title, which immediately gives you the main topic. Next, read the introduction, which typically presents the main thesis or purpose. Then review all headings and subheadings, which reveal the organizational structure. Read the first sentence of each paragraph, which usually contains the main idea. Finally, read the conclusion or summary, which reinforces key points. Additionally, pay attention to visual elements like charts, graphs, illustrations, and highlighted text. These features often contain concentrated information. For technical or academic material, review any questions at the end of the chapter before reading, as they reveal what the author considers most important. Remember that pre-viewing isn't just about saving time—it's about creating context that enhances comprehension. When you understand the structure and purpose of material before detailed reading, your brain can more efficiently process and retain information. This approach transforms reading from a passive, linear activity into an active, strategic process.

Chapter 5: Build Concentration Through Active Reading

Concentration is the art of focused attention, and it's essential for effective speed reading. Many readers struggle with mind wandering, especially when tackling dense nonfiction material. According to Becky Patterson, author of "Concentration: Strategies for Attaining Focus," improving concentration helps you function more productively, emulate successful people, improve life quality, accomplish more in less time, and tap into deeper energy reserves. Beale shares a powerful personal experience that demonstrates the value of concentrated reading. When her nine-month-old child woke in the middle of the night with a frightening barking cough, she needed to quickly identify the problem and solution. While waiting for the pediatrician to return her call, she rapidly scanned her parenting books, focusing intently on finding information about this specific symptom. Within minutes, she identified the condition as croup, learned appropriate interventions, and was able to help her child breathe more easily. This focused, purpose-driven reading literally made a difference in her child's well-being. To build your own concentration powers, start by creating an environment conducive to focus. Identify and eliminate your personal distractions. Common culprits include other people, phones, email notifications, music with lyrics, television, and uncomfortable reading locations. One workshop participant discovered that simply moving from his comfortable couch to a desk increased his reading speed by 30% because his brain was conditioned to work at a desk and relax on the couch. Before beginning any reading session, ask yourself two powerful questions: "WHY am I reading this?" and "WHAT might I need this information for?" These questions clarify your purpose and responsibility, which naturally enhances focus. For instance, if you're reading a professional journal, your purpose might be "to enhance my knowledge" and your responsibility might be "to share insights with my team." For longer reading sessions, implement the strategic break technique. Research shows that concentration typically lasts about twenty minutes while reading, so take short five-minute breaks every twenty to thirty minutes. This prevents mental fatigue and maintains optimal focus throughout your session. Active reading tools like highlighting key words (not entire paragraphs), creating margin notes, or taking structured notes also enhance concentration by keeping your mind engaged with the material. Remember that highlighting should be selective—only mark the most meaningful words or phrases that capture key concepts. By implementing these concentration strategies, you'll not only read faster but also understand and retain information more effectively, making your reading time significantly more productive.

Chapter 6: Master Technical Material Efficiently

Technical material—content with unfamiliar vocabulary, complex concepts, or detailed information—presents unique challenges for readers. However, with specialized approaches, you can significantly increase both your speed and comprehension when tackling these difficult texts. Beale worked with a medical researcher who needed to stay current with pharmaceutical studies but struggled with the dense technical language. Initially, the researcher would read each paper word-by-word, often rereading paragraphs multiple times. This approach was not only time-consuming but also fragmented her understanding of the overall concepts. After learning specialized techniques for technical reading, she could process research papers in half the time while actually improving her comprehension. The transformation came when the researcher stopped trying to understand every detail on the first pass. Instead, she adopted a multi-layered approach. First, she would pre-view the entire paper to understand its structure and identify unfamiliar terms. Next, she would look up key terminology before detailed reading. Then she would read for main concepts using modified speed reading techniques, moving more slowly than with casual material but still faster than her previous word-by-word approach. Finally, she would review the material again to solidify understanding. To master technical material efficiently, start by recognizing that "technical" is relative to your background knowledge. What's technical for one person may be straightforward for another. Build your background knowledge systematically by pre-viewing material before detailed reading, identifying and learning unfamiliar terminology, and looking for the 5W's and H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) to create a conceptual framework. Vocabulary expansion is crucial for technical reading. When you encounter unfamiliar words, try to determine their meaning from context before reaching for a dictionary. Learn to recognize common prefixes, roots, and suffixes—for example, understanding that "cardio" relates to the heart helps you decode words like cardiology, cardiovascular, and electrocardiogram. Keep a specialized vocabulary notebook for terms relevant to your field. For comprehension of technical material, recognize that understanding operates at three levels: literal (basic facts), interpretive (implications), and applied (practical use). Push yourself to reach the applied level by asking questions like "How does this information affect my work?" or "What practical applications does this have?" Remember that mastering technical material is not about reading it as quickly as casual material—it's about reading it as efficiently as possible given its complexity. With practice, you'll develop specialized reading approaches for different types of technical content, significantly improving both your speed and understanding.

Chapter 7: Create Your Personalized Reading System

After exploring various speed reading techniques, the final step is developing a personalized system that works for your specific needs and reading materials. The most successful speed readers don't apply the same approach to everything they read—they strategically select methods based on the material and their purpose. Beale describes a business executive named Robert who initially struggled to implement speed reading techniques consistently. He would try different methods randomly, becoming frustrated when some worked better than others. Through coaching, Robert realized he needed a systematic approach. For daily news, he developed a scanning routine that allowed him to extract key information in under ten minutes. For business reports, he created a pre-viewing checklist followed by focused reading of relevant sections. For technical material, he implemented a vocabulary-building protocol alongside modified speed reading techniques. The transformation in Robert's reading life was remarkable. Not only did he increase his reading speed across all materials, but he also felt more in control of his information intake. His personalized system eliminated the guilt of unread materials because he could quickly determine what deserved his full attention and what could be skimmed or skipped. To create your own personalized reading system, start by categorizing your reading materials. Common categories include: daily information (news, emails), professional development, technical material, and leisure reading. For each category, determine your typical purpose and select appropriate techniques. For example, daily information might benefit from scanning and skimming, while professional development might require pre-viewing followed by focused reading. Next, experiment with different pacers (finger, card, pen) to find what works best for you. Some readers prefer the white card method for narrow columns and the hand method for wider text. Others find that different eye-span techniques work better for different materials. Document what works through a personal reading journal or progress chart. Develop reading routines that fit your lifestyle. This might include a morning news scanning session, dedicated professional reading time during your peak alertness hours, and leisure reading before bed. Be realistic about your time constraints and reading volume—it's better to thoroughly process less material than to superficially cover more. Remember that your reading system should evolve as your skills improve and your needs change. Regularly reassess your techniques and adjust accordingly. With consistent practice and refinement, your personalized reading system will become second nature, transforming your relationship with the written word.

Summary

Throughout this journey into speed reading, we've explored techniques that can transform your relationship with the written word. From expanding your eye span to eliminating subvocalization, from strategic pre-viewing to concentrated reading, these skills offer a pathway to greater knowledge and efficiency. As Abby Marks Beale wisely notes, "The road to knowledge begins with the turn of a page"—and now you can turn many more pages in the same amount of time. Your next step is simple but powerful: choose just one technique from this book and apply it consistently for the next week. Perhaps start with pre-viewing your reading material or using a pacer to guide your eyes. Notice how this small change affects your speed and comprehension. Remember that speed reading isn't about rushing through text but about engaging with it more efficiently and effectively. With practice, these techniques will become second nature, opening doors to greater learning and growth in every area of your life.

About Author

Loading...

The Princeton Language Institute

Read more