Why speed reading does not work

Supporters speed reading can tell a lot of stories about the benefits of this skill. Here is one of the most striking examples.

In 2007, an Englishwoman Ann Jones (Anne Jones), six-time champion in speed reading world has read the latest book about the adventures of Harry Potter for 47 minutes. It turns out, it absorbs about 4200 words per minute. Anne then briefly described the affair for the British media (I suppose, not for nothing). Grandmaster result, which then envied by millions of people all over the earth: they had something to satisfy their curiosity all night and the next day too.

But is it all clear, as it seems at first glance? Before answering this question, it is necessary to run through the theory.

As we read

Reading - methodical, mechanical process, if the person is reading for fun and not spend time thinking about the complex and unfamiliar concepts. Here's how ...

You look at a word or a few words. It is called lock and requires approximately 0.25 seconds. Then you move your eyes to the next word or group of words. It is called

leap and it takes an average of 0.1 seconds. After a few repetitions you pause to understand the phrase you just read. It takes approximately 0.3-0.5 seconds. And so the circle. As a result, we find that the average native speaker of Russian osilivaet about 200 words per minute.

Speed ​​reading shortens delays, and their number, due to which increases speed.

speed reading techniques

Among the basic speed reading techniques can distinguish four of the most common.

1. In the method fugitive slip person evaluates the text field and highlight one important part. Despite the fact that this approach is referred to the speed reading techniques, you learn not to read faster, and train in search of pieces of text that can jump.
2. In the method exceptions regressions man leads his eyes along the rows with a certain rhythm with the handle (or without it), thus eliminating involuntary return and re-reading sentences.
3. In the method expansion of peripheral vision man embraces a larger amount of text in a single eye contact, reducing the number of transfers look. A further advantage of this technique - reducing the load on the eye.
4. In the method rapid visual sequences the whole text is divided into individual words one by one flash at high speed in the middle of the screen of any electronic device. Eye movement is not happening at all.

What's wrong with the speed reading

Speed ​​Reading - good skill see at least 1000 words per minute. However, to truly understand the colossus of these words is impossible. This is evidenced by studySpent a group of cognitive psychologists from the United States under the direction of Keith Rayner (Keith Rayner) - one of the most respected scientists in the study of eye movements, visual perception and reading.

The study showed that there is a tradeoff between speed and accuracy of reading. It is unlikely that readers will be able to double or triple speed, and while preserving the usual level of assimilation.

This stems from the anatomy of the eye, especially the human short-term memory and limited brain capacity for processing visual information. Visual acuity and concentration levels are reduced considerably when trying to reach a large amount of text.

Speed ​​reading is useful in the preparation of simple information, such as when reading the news or mail. If a deep understanding is not required, and slide text can appear to the place: you know the proposed material is good and want to clarify a few details. In many other situations, on the contrary, it is necessary to slow down and re-read the text to to understand its essence.

The best way to read faster

At the end of the scientific research psychologists give a simple formula, how to speed up the reading process.

Constant practice of reading makes you more qualified native speaker due to the vocabulary. This is a sure way to learn to read more quickly without compromising the understanding of the meaning.

Do you practice speed reading? Can you confirm or deny the opinion of scientists?