What Are the Best Tips to Improve Reading Speed?

To improve reading speed, someone should consider the way in which material is currently read, and find ways in which improvements can be made. Vocalization, for example, can greatly slow down readers who sound out or whisper words as they read them, or even think each word internally as it is read. For some people, slow reading may be a result of issues with vision, and corrective lenses or other procedures can improve reading speed. The actual reading process may also slow down some readers who can widen their visual range and more actively seek key words in a passage.

One of the best ways in which people can improve reading speed is through the elimination of vocalization. Readers can process language mentally much faster than they can speak words aloud. People who whisper or mouth words to themselves as they read are slowing themselves down. Even sub-vocalization, which is the process of thinking each word as it is being read, can slow a reader. Eliminating these practices can greatly improve reading speed, as language is processed more quickly.

There are some potential physical steps that people can take to improve reading speed. Vision problems and poor eyesight can slow down readers, so people should ensure they are wearing any lenses or other items needed to enhance sight. The conditions in which people read can also be detrimental. Many people can improve reading speed by reading in the morning or early day, rather than in the evening. Proper lighting and positioning is also important, and reading in bed should be avoided as it is a relaxing environment that can slow down mental processing.

Other changes can be made to the way in which people look at a page to improve reading speed. While scanning a page, some people may focus on a small section of the reading at one time. By widening their view, they can more easily process as much language as possible. It can also be effective to scan pages for headlines, bullet points, and similar important subjects to make reading faster and more effective.

Many people can improve reading speed by looking for important words and grouping them together rather than scanning each word individually. While articles like "the" and "a" serve a purpose, they do not typically impart a great deal of meaning. These words can be scanned over quickly to reach more important ideas in each sentence. Words can be grouped together as a person reads to more easily scan a sentence quickly, while still maintaining comprehension of what is read.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by these reading speed tactics, don’t be. Another great solution is to hire a personalized tutor to have someone go through customized tips and tricks suited to you.