Looking for information on speed reading.

March 7, 2004 5:39 AM

does anyone here have any experience with speed reading? [more inside]

is it really effective? if so, how did you learn? a google search shows seminars and home study programs, is one more effective than the other?

posted by joedan to education (10 comments total)

You might want to check out this Straight Dope column: The researchers found that the speed readers read a little faster than the skimmers (700 WPM versus 600 WPM) and much faster than the normal readers (240 WPM). But the speed readers' comprehension was invariably worse, often a lot worse, than that of the normal readers.
posted by brool at 7:01 AM on March 7, 2004

I went to a seminar when I was 16, I've been speed-reading ever since (I refreshed my memory of the program with some home study). I'm happy I did, it is something I strongly encourage others to do. comprehension? well it maybe not 100% if you compare it to regular reading, but still, it's useful
posted by matteo at 7:48 AM on March 7, 2004

I asked this question before and got some good answers ...
posted by feelinglistless at 8:25 AM on March 7, 2004

I have some experience of speeding - my advice is just to stay in the car, roll the window down and comply with all the officer's requests.
posted by skylar at 8:28 AM on March 7, 2004

I have two gears, a high and a low. I wouldn't call the high gear "skimming," because I do read every word. It's more about relaxing mentally and spending less energy analyzing as I read. The low gear is for getting absolutely everything, including implications, before I go forward and read more. When I'm in low gear I actually read much of the page more than once, skipping back and forth quite a bit as I mull over the content of what I'm taking in. Until I was about 25, I only had the low gear, and I had a hell of a time getting through college. Anyway, I've never taken or course or anything, just tried different things that work for me. I think if you're worried about your retention at 700WPM but 240WPM is too slow for your needs, then try for something in between. As far as I can tell there's no quantum leap between the two.
posted by scarabic at 10:49 AM on March 7, 2004

note: Ask MetaFilter is as useful as you make it. Please limit comments to answers or help in finding an answer. Wisecracks don't help people find answers. Thanks.

posted by ook at 11:11 AM on March 7, 2004

I never took any "speed reading" courses. My mom just had me reading by the age of 3, and I just read "incredibly fast" from what people tell me. teachers in school used to think I was lying with them when I told them I'd already finished the reading assignments... I don't skim or anything, I just read..
posted by mrbill at 1:18 PM on March 7, 2004

I remember in 9th grade having to read Les Mis in one day...I just kind of taught myself to skim-read that day. I didn't catch a single thing from that book, but I've improved a lot over the year as all I can do is skim read...I don't have the attention span to REALLY read. But, if you are looking for classes, try looking into your local pubic library or college. I know some near where I live offer speed-reading classes.
posted by jmd82 at 8:59 PM on March 7, 2004

does anyone here have any experience with speed reading?

No.
...with apologies!
posted by Shane at 6:31 AM on March 8, 2004

I took a class in college. It was bizarre. I could not tell you much about what I read, using the fast method. But I could pass quizzes about it quite well. I hated it.

I normally read in "low gear" as described previously in this thread. I like it that way. My retention then is excellent, and I know what I read.
posted by Goofyy at 6:45 AM on March 8, 2004