Grasping Reading Speed and Reading Comprehension

Words per minute (WPM) is used as a metric to assess reading speeds. On average, reading speeds of over 200-250 WPM for less complicated materials are common among English speaking individuals. On the other hand, proficient readers could reach a maximum of 500 WPM. Speed enhancement ought to not affect the level of comprehension of the content being read, Comprehending the contents of reading is one of the primary aims of reading. Sometimes it is easy to maximise speed while still being able to maintain comprehension through the use of different techniques that increase your reading speed while managing to still retain critical aspects of the content.

Reading speed factors

It is beneficial to consider the following aspects that can help one to understand the techniques rather than jumping straight into the techniques:

1) Vocabulary:

When you have a wider vocabulary, it enables you to recall the words instantly without having to break them down into different parts. On the other hand, with limited knowledge of vocabulary, one has to always pause to understand new phrases, making them slow.

2) Reading patterns:

A common phrase, word or phrase that has been said is called subvocalization and this and analysing the paragraph previously read called regression are vices that will constrain the speeding of reading.

3) Text Complexity:

Depending on the reading type being done, certain materials will alter the WPM. For instance, the intake of general texts or news articles which are complex in their construction will have lower WPMs while basic news articles will have higher rates.

4) Focus and Environment:

Concentration is a critical factor when it comes to achieving high reading speeds. Efficiency in reading is unattainable in an atmosphere that is filled with noise or one that has many distractions.

Techniques to Increase Reading Speed

Understanding various techniques for improved reading speed is only half the task because one has to implement the techniques too. Such an approach will over time create a pattern that will see the person read at a faster pace.

1. Subvocalization Avoidance

As a reading strategy, it means pronouncing each word mentally instead of audibly, it is ideal for beginners but it reduces the reading rate as each word is read at the rhythm of speech. Therefore, a learner must solicit techniques to stop subvocalization so that they will begin reading faster as they would be capable of handling groups of phrases or sentences instead of individual ones.

Tip: To develop the technique, one must seek to read with regard to the phrases or sentences rather than individual words. After several tries, the scholar's brain will transform and learn will be in blocks rather than in line.

2. Use a Pointer or Your Finger

Use of pen or finger helps to avoid necessitated movement of eyes along a line of text, or demeaning regression of going backward and indeed skipping back words or phrases that have already been read. Such techniques are referred to as 'meta-guiding' tentatively, this practice can assist in regulating the pace at which the eye moves and the shift in focus to the right/forward lean.
Tip: Slide the text line down with the help of a pointer. Try to sweep the pointer in a circular and faster motion as you read.

3. Practice Chunking

Chunking is an efficient practice of reading clusters of a group of words as one instead of reading each individual group word by word. This is important in English writing as there are many phrases that make sense together and working with units of meaning is more efficient than word-by-word analysis. The ability to shift perspective from each word to a phrase improves reading speed dramatically.
Tip: Try simple phrases first where 3 to 4 words are linked together and later attack more complex phrases after you are comfortable with the smaller ones.

4. Minimise Regression

Regression is defined as the skill or ability to go back to the previous words or sentences that one has read especially when information is missing. This regression problem is not very good for speed as it breaks the chain of thought, which in its place creates problems with the stream of facts as well.
Tip: Try to practise skimming where every line or for that matter every sentence is read only once. If comprehension becomes a problem, concentrate on the text instead of reading it over and abandoning the idea. You will improve comprehension and reading effectiveness over time without retreating to re-read material.

5. Learn New Words

Knowing a large number of words has significance as far as speed in reading is concerned. It allows you to skip reading new terminology in the sentence. Speaking and reading vocabulary will assist you in acquiring skills which will allow you to read without effort and worries.
Tip: Try to grasp a couple of words every single day. Try reading different sources such as newspapers, fiction books and non-fiction books to help you amass different vocabulary which will assist both the speed and understanding.

6. Concentrate on the Middle Portion of the Text

Speed reading includes a technique called 'peripheral vision training'. The technique permits the reader to focus in the middle of each line of the text, while other words in the line, as well the adjacent lines, are still readable because they can be viewed from the periphery. This system is likely to reduce the time used in reading and the pressure put on the eyes.
Tip: This means that you should start with the centre focus technique with the short lines then progress to the long ones. Now all this will reduce eye movement over time and more words will be read per eye gaze.

7. Try Online Tools Available for Guiding Speed Reading

Many online portals have reading practice, which aims at increasing the speed of the subject in the reading task. The materials are presented fast with the assumption that the subject should be able to comprehend the material using information processing in the brain. The tools used for such activities are meant for use on a regular basis so as to encourage the art of reading at an increased speed.
Tip: To develop your reading muscles, it is ideal to use a speed reading app or website, a few times a week. As you become better, increase the speed settings to allow faster comprehension but not at the cross of accuracy.

Building Effective Reading Habits

Apart from the discussed techniques in the previous section, building productive reading habits will also help you achieve your target of increased reading speed.

Set Daily Reading Goals

Reading several times every day reduces the possibility of one getting lazy. Reading for at least ten minutes is key to gradually improving the speed.So, choose both, the simplest, and the more advanced texts.

Practise Silent Reading

Silent reading is quicker than interreading since the reader does not say out loud each and every word. In this case, this practice improves comprehension and speed as the reader takes information in through the eye.

Gradually Increase Reading Difficulty

Pick reading materials that are at your current reading level, afterwards gradually make them more difficult at ease. Transitioning from reading normal articles to reading in-depth articles works out your brain and gets you to read faster in different conditions.

Improving One's Reading Speed

The following exercises can be incorporated into one's routine to enhance their reading speed:

Timed Reading

Get a timer, and read a section of a short article, or a few pages from a book. This time, focus on reading at a significantly higher speed whilst still grasping the information as you read. At the end of the reading session, record the number of words you attempted to read and the level of understanding you had. Conduct this exercise repetitively in order to check your growth.

Peripheral Vision Training

Another exercise to enhance peripheral vision is to position your finger at the middle of a line and focus on it while trying to read through to the end of the line. Ensure to start with single short sentences first and then work your way up to longer lines. This exercise, if done consistently, will help in developing the ability to locate and read groups of words quickly.

Daily Vocabulary Practice

Every time you read something new, pick out some new words that you come across, take note of their meanings, and try to compose sentences using these words. By doing these, your vocabulary will gradually grow over time which will allow you to read deep and elaborate texts more easily and quicker.

Chunking Practice

Pick a paragraph and try to read clusters of words together instead of word by word. For example, instead of a sentence 'The sky is blue,' try to consider it in different words. Focusing on this type of 'chunking' as you practice this for longer and longer sentences will make it feel more and more natural.

Benefits of Increasing Reading Speed

Stepping up one's speed in reading offers some benefits asides from the obvious that one becomes able to understand faster. Increases self-confidence in reading English, improves efficiency of learning and aids one in the comprehension of material with less exertion. In addition, if one is trained advanced reading techniques, then focus changes automatically and. In this case one can assimilate more information in a shorter period.

Tips for Maintaining Consistency

Improvement in the reading rate does take time, but practicing every day makes it somehow better in the end. As for when you are trying to make changes to your current pace, always keep these tips in mind so as to avoid losing consistency:

1. Practice Regularly:

Even short sessions of practice through the day ensures that one does not forget the skills.

2. Challenge Yourself Gradually:

The goals should be achievable and start increasing your reading rate gradually.

3. Track Progress:

Now and then, record the time taken to read something to keep yourself motivated.