According to author Tim Ferriss, this habit, called regression , will significantly slow you down and make it harder to get a big picture view of the text. If you carefully and attentively approach a text , you'll quickly realize if you’re not understanding a section, saving you time in the long run.

Attentively Approach A Text

To increase your reading speed, pay attention to your eyes. Most people can scan in 1.5 inch chunks, which, depending on the font size and type of text, usually comprise three to five words each. Rather than reading each word individually, move your eyes in a scanning motion, jumping from a chunk (of three to five words) to the next chunk of words. Take advantage of your peripheral vision to speed up around the beginning and end of each line, focusing on blocks of words rather than the first and last words

Don't Read All Of The Words

Your job shouldn’t end when you read the last word on the page. After you finish reading, write a few sentences to summarize what you read, and answer any questions you had before you started reading. Did you learn what you were hoping to learn? By spending a few minutes after reading to think, synthesize the information, and write what you learned, you’ll solidify the material in your mind and have better recall later. If you’re a more visual or verbal learner, draw a <a href="https://www.examtime.com/blog/speed-reading/">mind map </a>summary or tell someone what you learned.

Write A Conclusion

Approaching a text strategically, reading actively, and summarizing effectively takes <a href="https://thinksimplenow.com/productivity/7-keys-to-reading-faster/comment-page-2/">practice </a>. If you want to improve your reading speed, use a timer to test how many words (or pages) per minute you can read. As you’re able to read faster and faster, check in with yourself to make sure you’re happy with your level of comprehension.

Practice Timed Runs

Strategically approaching a text will make a big difference in how efficiently you can digest the material. First, think about your goals. What do you want to learn by reading the material? Jot down some questions you want to be able to answer by the end. Then, determine the author’s goal in writing the material, based on your preview. The author’s goal, for example, might be to describe the entire history of Ancient Rome, while your goal is simply to answer a question about Roman women’s role in politics. If your goal is more limited in scope then read the pertinent sentences

Organize Yourself To Read

Reading quickly with good comprehension requires focus and concentration. Minimize external noise, distractions, and interruptions, and be mindful when your thoughts wander as you read. If you notice that you’re fantasizing about your next meal rather than focusing on the text, gently bring your mind back to the material. Many readers reads without focus, then spend time going back and re-reading to make sure they understand them.

Focus Your Eyes On The Text

Viewing a movie’s trailer before watching the movie gives you context and lets you know what to expect. Likewise, previewing a text before reading it prepares you to quickly gain an understanding of what you’re about to read. To preview a text, scan it from the beginning to the end, paying special attention to headings, subheadings, anything in bold or large font, and bullet points. To get a big picture understanding, skim the introductory and concluding paragraphs. Try to identify transition sentences, examine any images or graphs, and figure out how the author structured the text.

Preview The Text

Slogging through dense passages can be time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and hard on your eyes. Speed up the process—without sacrificing comprehension—with these tricks.