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New fun and easy-to-read exercises!
Discover how fast you can read, with these 12 excerpts of popular fictions.
Discover how fast you can read, with these 12 excerpts of popular fictions.
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Quick Question
How effective are the Focus•Dots?
An elderly man lay dying in his bed. In death's agony, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs.
He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands.
With labored breath, he leaned against the door-frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven: there, spread out upon newspapers on the kitchen table, were hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.
Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture. His parched lips parted; the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth; seemingly bringing him back to life.
The aged withered hand shakily made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when it was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife.
"Stay out of those, she said, they are for the funeral!"
He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands.
With labored breath, he leaned against the door-frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven: there, spread out upon newspapers on the kitchen table, were hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.
Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture. His parched lips parted; the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth; seemingly bringing him back to life.
The aged withered hand shakily made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when it was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife.
"Stay out of those, she said, they are for the funeral!"
To solve a recruitment crisis, the chief of staff of the US Air Force decided to invite all the local young men and women to an open day at an Arkansas airfield. As he and his staff were standing near a brand new jet fighter plane, two brothers walked over to them.
The chief of staff held out his hand, introduced himself and, addressing the first brother, said, "Tell me son, what skills can you bring to the Air Force?" The young man replied, "I pilot."
"Great!" enthused the chief of staff, turning to his aide. "He's just what we're looking for. Get him in straight away to complete all the paperwork." With that, the aide hustled the first brother away.
Then the chief of staff turned to the other brother and asked, "So, what skills do you bring to the Air Force?" "I chop wood," he said.
"Sorry, son," said the chief of staff. "We don't need wood choppers in the Air Force. Is there anything else you can do?" "I chop wood!" repeated the young man.
"Son, you're not listening. We don't need wood choppers in the Air Force." "But you hired my brother," protested the young man.
"Of course we did. He's a pilot."
"Well, I have to chop it before he can pile it."
The chief of staff held out his hand, introduced himself and, addressing the first brother, said, "Tell me son, what skills can you bring to the Air Force?" The young man replied, "I pilot."
"Great!" enthused the chief of staff, turning to his aide. "He's just what we're looking for. Get him in straight away to complete all the paperwork." With that, the aide hustled the first brother away.
Then the chief of staff turned to the other brother and asked, "So, what skills do you bring to the Air Force?" "I chop wood," he said.
"Sorry, son," said the chief of staff. "We don't need wood choppers in the Air Force. Is there anything else you can do?" "I chop wood!" repeated the young man.
"Son, you're not listening. We don't need wood choppers in the Air Force." "But you hired my brother," protested the young man.
"Of course we did. He's a pilot."
"Well, I have to chop it before he can pile it."
In a hot desert country, a shop keeper was selling ties. He had thin ones, wide ones, ones with stripes, others with polka dots. It was a hot scorching day, and as the stall-keeper looked towards the horizon, he saw a cloud of dust. The cloud of dust came closer and closer until he could make out a man stumbling across the desert.
As the man got to the tie-seller he said, "Water, water. I've been traveling across the desert and I'm dying of thirst. Do you have any water?" The tie-seller said, "Sorry, I don't have any water, but would you like to buy a tie. I have thin ones, wide ones, stripes and ones with dots."
"I don't need a tie I'm dying of thirst. I need water." "There's a village about a mile away and I know it has a restaurant you could try there." So he sends the thirsty man away.
About an hour later the tie-seller sees another dust cloud on the horizon. It's the same thirsty man crawling on his hands and knees.
The tie-seller says, "What happened" Couldn't you find the village?" "Yes, I found the village." "Couldn't you find the restaurant?" Yes I found the restaurant."
"Well then what happened"
"The restaurant wouldn't let me in without a tie."
As the man got to the tie-seller he said, "Water, water. I've been traveling across the desert and I'm dying of thirst. Do you have any water?" The tie-seller said, "Sorry, I don't have any water, but would you like to buy a tie. I have thin ones, wide ones, stripes and ones with dots."
"I don't need a tie I'm dying of thirst. I need water." "There's a village about a mile away and I know it has a restaurant you could try there." So he sends the thirsty man away.
About an hour later the tie-seller sees another dust cloud on the horizon. It's the same thirsty man crawling on his hands and knees.
The tie-seller says, "What happened" Couldn't you find the village?" "Yes, I found the village." "Couldn't you find the restaurant?" Yes I found the restaurant."
"Well then what happened"
"The restaurant wouldn't let me in without a tie."
An unemployed biologist was having considerable difficulty in finding a new job. He finally saw an ad in a local newspaper for a position at a zoo.
In the interview, the manager told him that their only gorilla, which had been a star attraction, had recently died, and it would be sometime before they could replace it. Meanwhile, they needed someone to dress up as a gorilla and pretend to be the animal.
The biologist was quite embarrassed, but being desperate for money, he accepted the job. The next day, the biologist put on a gorilla suit and headgear and entered a cage from a rear entrance.
Visitors smiled at him and threw bread. After a while, the biologist really got into the act. He jumped up and down, beat his chest and roared as people cheered.
The following day, the biologist entered the wrong cage by accident and found himself staring at a lion. The lion roared and rushed toward him. The scared biologist turned and ran, while screaming, "Help! Help!"
The lion leaped onto the gorilla, knocked him to the ground and whispered in his ear, "Hey, it's me Leonard. Shut up or we'll both lose our jobs!"
In the interview, the manager told him that their only gorilla, which had been a star attraction, had recently died, and it would be sometime before they could replace it. Meanwhile, they needed someone to dress up as a gorilla and pretend to be the animal.
The biologist was quite embarrassed, but being desperate for money, he accepted the job. The next day, the biologist put on a gorilla suit and headgear and entered a cage from a rear entrance.
Visitors smiled at him and threw bread. After a while, the biologist really got into the act. He jumped up and down, beat his chest and roared as people cheered.
The following day, the biologist entered the wrong cage by accident and found himself staring at a lion. The lion roared and rushed toward him. The scared biologist turned and ran, while screaming, "Help! Help!"
The lion leaped onto the gorilla, knocked him to the ground and whispered in his ear, "Hey, it's me Leonard. Shut up or we'll both lose our jobs!"
A farmer got pulled over by a state trooper for speeding, and the trooper started lecturing the farmer, and in general throwing his weight and trying to make the farmer uncomfortable.
Finally, the trooper got around to writing out the ticket, and as he was doing that he kept swatting at some flies that were buzzing around his head. The farmer said, "Having some problems with circle flies there, are ya?"
The trooper stopped writing the ticket and said, "Well yeah, if that's what they are, I never heard of circle flies."
So the farmer says, "Well, circle flies are common on farms. See, they're called circle flies because they're almost always found circling around the back end of a horse."
The trooper says, "Oh," and goes back to writing the ticket. Then after a minute he stops and says, "Hey, wait a minute, are you trying to call me a horses rear?"
The farmer says, "Oh no, officer. I have too much respect for law enforcement to even think about calling you a horse's rear." The trooper says, "Well, that's a good thing," and goes back to writing the ticket.
After a long pause, the farmer says, "Hard to fool them flies though."
Finally, the trooper got around to writing out the ticket, and as he was doing that he kept swatting at some flies that were buzzing around his head. The farmer said, "Having some problems with circle flies there, are ya?"
The trooper stopped writing the ticket and said, "Well yeah, if that's what they are, I never heard of circle flies."
So the farmer says, "Well, circle flies are common on farms. See, they're called circle flies because they're almost always found circling around the back end of a horse."
The trooper says, "Oh," and goes back to writing the ticket. Then after a minute he stops and says, "Hey, wait a minute, are you trying to call me a horses rear?"
The farmer says, "Oh no, officer. I have too much respect for law enforcement to even think about calling you a horse's rear." The trooper says, "Well, that's a good thing," and goes back to writing the ticket.
After a long pause, the farmer says, "Hard to fool them flies though."
A man goes to the doctor. He says, "Doc, you gotta check my leg. Something's wrong. Just put your ear up to my thigh, you'll hear it!"
The doctor cautiously placed his ear to the man's thigh only to hear, "Gimme 20 bucks. I really need 20 bucks."
"I've never seen or heard anything like this before. How long has this been going on?" asked the doctor. "That's nothing Doc. Put your ear to my knee."
The doctor put his ear to the man's knee and heard it say, "Man, I really need 10 dollars. Just lend me 10 bucks!"
"Sir," said the dumbfounded Doctor, "I really don't know what to tell you. I've never encountered anything like this before." "Wait Doc, that's not it. There's more. Just put your ear up to my ankle," the man urged.
The doctor did as the man said and heard the ankle plead, "Please, I just need 5 dollars. Lend me 5 bucks if you will."
"I have no idea what to tell you," the doctor said. "There's nothing about it in my books."
"However, I can make a well educated guess though. Based on life experience I can tell you that your leg seems to be broke in three places."
The doctor cautiously placed his ear to the man's thigh only to hear, "Gimme 20 bucks. I really need 20 bucks."
"I've never seen or heard anything like this before. How long has this been going on?" asked the doctor. "That's nothing Doc. Put your ear to my knee."
The doctor put his ear to the man's knee and heard it say, "Man, I really need 10 dollars. Just lend me 10 bucks!"
"Sir," said the dumbfounded Doctor, "I really don't know what to tell you. I've never encountered anything like this before." "Wait Doc, that's not it. There's more. Just put your ear up to my ankle," the man urged.
The doctor did as the man said and heard the ankle plead, "Please, I just need 5 dollars. Lend me 5 bucks if you will."
"I have no idea what to tell you," the doctor said. "There's nothing about it in my books."
"However, I can make a well educated guess though. Based on life experience I can tell you that your leg seems to be broke in three places."
A blond, a brunette, and a redhead were trying out for a new NASA experiment to send women to different planets. First, they called the brunette in and asked her a question. "If you could go to any planet; what planet would it be, and why?"
After pondering the question she answered, "I would like to go to Mars because it seems so interesting with all the recent news about possible extra-terrestrial life."
They said "Well okay, thank you." and told her that they would get back to her.
Next, the redhead entered the room and the NASA people asked her the same question. She replied, "I would like to go to Saturn to see all of its rings." Again, "Thank you, and we'll get back to you."
Finally, the blond entered the room and they asked her the same question they asked the brunette and the redhead. She thought for a while and replied, "I would like to go to the sun."
The people from NASA replied, "Why? Don't you know that if you went to the sun you would burn to death?"
The blond smirked and put her hands on her hips. "Are you guys dumb? I'd go at night!"
After pondering the question she answered, "I would like to go to Mars because it seems so interesting with all the recent news about possible extra-terrestrial life."
They said "Well okay, thank you." and told her that they would get back to her.
Next, the redhead entered the room and the NASA people asked her the same question. She replied, "I would like to go to Saturn to see all of its rings." Again, "Thank you, and we'll get back to you."
Finally, the blond entered the room and they asked her the same question they asked the brunette and the redhead. She thought for a while and replied, "I would like to go to the sun."
The people from NASA replied, "Why? Don't you know that if you went to the sun you would burn to death?"
The blond smirked and put her hands on her hips. "Are you guys dumb? I'd go at night!"
The Major called the Sergeant in. "Sarge, I just got a telegram that Private Jones' mother died yesterday. Better go tell him, and send him in to see me."
So the Sergeant calls for his morning formation and lines up all the troops.
"Listen up, men," says the Sergeant. "Johnson, report to the mess hall for KP. Smith, report to Personnel to sign some papers. The rest of you men report to the Motor Pool for maintenance. Oh by the way, Jones, your mother died, report to the commander."
Later that day the Major called the Sergeant into his office. "Hey, Sarge, that was a pretty cold way to inform Jones his mother died. Couldn't you be a bit more tactful next time?"
"Yes, sir," answered the Sarge.
A few months later, the Major called the Sergeant in again with, "Sarge, I just got a telegram that Private McGrath's mother died. You'd better go tell him and send him in to see me. This time, be more tactful."
So the Sergeant calls for his morning formation. "Ok men, fall in and listen up." "Everybody with a mother, take two steps forward."
"Not so fast, McGrath!"
So the Sergeant calls for his morning formation and lines up all the troops.
"Listen up, men," says the Sergeant. "Johnson, report to the mess hall for KP. Smith, report to Personnel to sign some papers. The rest of you men report to the Motor Pool for maintenance. Oh by the way, Jones, your mother died, report to the commander."
Later that day the Major called the Sergeant into his office. "Hey, Sarge, that was a pretty cold way to inform Jones his mother died. Couldn't you be a bit more tactful next time?"
"Yes, sir," answered the Sarge.
A few months later, the Major called the Sergeant in again with, "Sarge, I just got a telegram that Private McGrath's mother died. You'd better go tell him and send him in to see me. This time, be more tactful."
So the Sergeant calls for his morning formation. "Ok men, fall in and listen up." "Everybody with a mother, take two steps forward."
"Not so fast, McGrath!"
One of the entertainers on a cruise ship was a magician. Since the passengers were different each week, the magician always had a new audience. So he always did the same tricks.
The captain's parrot, however, was stationed in the performance hall, and observed the magicians tricks week after week.
Being a wise old bird, he eventually figured out all the magician's secrets. Then, irritatingly, he started heckling during the show. "Hey, why is every card the same? It's in his cape pocket! It's a different rabbit!"
The magician was fuming, but it was the captain's parrot so he couldn't really do anything.
One terrible day however, the ship had a boiler explosion and sank.
The magician wound up on a small raft in the middle of the Atlantic with, as luck would have it, the captain's parrot. They glared at each other with visible hatred but didn't say a word. This went on for several days.
Finally on the tenth day, the parrot couldn't take it any longer.
Exasperated, he said, "Okay, I give up. Where's the ship?"
The captain's parrot, however, was stationed in the performance hall, and observed the magicians tricks week after week.
Being a wise old bird, he eventually figured out all the magician's secrets. Then, irritatingly, he started heckling during the show. "Hey, why is every card the same? It's in his cape pocket! It's a different rabbit!"
The magician was fuming, but it was the captain's parrot so he couldn't really do anything.
One terrible day however, the ship had a boiler explosion and sank.
The magician wound up on a small raft in the middle of the Atlantic with, as luck would have it, the captain's parrot. They glared at each other with visible hatred but didn't say a word. This went on for several days.
Finally on the tenth day, the parrot couldn't take it any longer.
Exasperated, he said, "Okay, I give up. Where's the ship?"
A duck walks into a local store and asks the clerk, "Do you have any grapes?" The clerk says, "No, I am sorry, we have cherries and olives but no grapes."
"Oh," says the duck and leaves.
Ten minutes later the duck returns and asks the same clerk, "Do you have any grapes?" "Like I said before, we have cherries and olives, but WE DON'T HAVE GRAPES!" says the clerk.
"Oh," says the duck and leaves.
But ten minutes later the duck returns and again asks, "Do you have any grapes?" "Look, beak-lips," screams the clerk. "WE HAVE NO GRAPES! We will NEVER have grapes! And if you ask me again, I am going to nail your webby little feet to the floor!!!"
"Oh," says the duck and leaves.
Ten minutes later, the door swings open and the duck returns. The clerk is furious. He slams his fist on the counter, stares menacingly at the duck and screams, "WHAT???!!"
"Uh...uh...do ...you ...have...any....NAILS?" "Nails? Nails? No, we don't have nails," answers the clerk. "Mmmm," says the duck.
"So, do you have any grapes?"
"Oh," says the duck and leaves.
Ten minutes later the duck returns and asks the same clerk, "Do you have any grapes?" "Like I said before, we have cherries and olives, but WE DON'T HAVE GRAPES!" says the clerk.
"Oh," says the duck and leaves.
But ten minutes later the duck returns and again asks, "Do you have any grapes?" "Look, beak-lips," screams the clerk. "WE HAVE NO GRAPES! We will NEVER have grapes! And if you ask me again, I am going to nail your webby little feet to the floor!!!"
"Oh," says the duck and leaves.
Ten minutes later, the door swings open and the duck returns. The clerk is furious. He slams his fist on the counter, stares menacingly at the duck and screams, "WHAT???!!"
"Uh...uh...do ...you ...have...any....NAILS?" "Nails? Nails? No, we don't have nails," answers the clerk. "Mmmm," says the duck.
"So, do you have any grapes?"
A rich millionaire decides to throw a massive party for his 50th birthday, so during this party he grabs the microphone and he announces to his guests that down in the garden of his mansion he has a swimming pool with two great white sharks in it.
"I will give anything of mine, to the man who swims across that pool."
So the party continues with no events in the pool, until suddenly, there is a great splash and all the guests of the party run to the pool to see what has happened.
In the pool is a man, and he is swimming as hard as he can, and the fins come out of the water and the jaws are snapping and this guy just keeps on going and the sharks are gaining on him and this guy reaches the edge and he clambers out of the pool, tired and soaked.
The millionaire grabs the microphone and says, "I am a man of my word. Anything of mine I will give, my Ferraris, my house, absolutely anything, for you are the bravest man I have ever seen.
"So sir what will it be?" the millionaire asks.
The guy grabs the microphone and says, "Why don't we start with the name of the idiot that pushed me in the pool!"
"I will give anything of mine, to the man who swims across that pool."
So the party continues with no events in the pool, until suddenly, there is a great splash and all the guests of the party run to the pool to see what has happened.
In the pool is a man, and he is swimming as hard as he can, and the fins come out of the water and the jaws are snapping and this guy just keeps on going and the sharks are gaining on him and this guy reaches the edge and he clambers out of the pool, tired and soaked.
The millionaire grabs the microphone and says, "I am a man of my word. Anything of mine I will give, my Ferraris, my house, absolutely anything, for you are the bravest man I have ever seen.
"So sir what will it be?" the millionaire asks.
The guy grabs the microphone and says, "Why don't we start with the name of the idiot that pushed me in the pool!"
A young ventriloquist is touring the clubs and one night he's doing a show in a small club in a small town in Arkansas.
With his dummy on his knee, he's going through his usual dumb blonde jokes when a blonde woman in the fourth row stands on her chair and starts shouting:
"I've heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype women that way? What does the color of a person's hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It's guys like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community and from reaching our full potential as a person, because you and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against, not only blondes, but women in general...and all in the name of humor!"
The ventriloquist is embarrassed and begins to apologize, when the blonde yells, "You stay out of this, mister! I'm talking to that little jerk on your knee!"
With his dummy on his knee, he's going through his usual dumb blonde jokes when a blonde woman in the fourth row stands on her chair and starts shouting:
"I've heard enough of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes you think you can stereotype women that way? What does the color of a person's hair have to do with her worth as a human being? It's guys like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community and from reaching our full potential as a person, because you and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against, not only blondes, but women in general...and all in the name of humor!"
The ventriloquist is embarrassed and begins to apologize, when the blonde yells, "You stay out of this, mister! I'm talking to that little jerk on your knee!"
The local sheriff was looking for a deputy, so Gomer -- who was not exactly the sharpest nail in the bucket -- went in to try out for the job.
"Okay," the sheriff drawled, "Gomer, what is 1 and 1?"
"11" he replied.
The sheriff thought to himself, "That's not what I meant, but he's right."
"What two days of the week start with the letter 'T'?"
"Today and Tomorrow."
He was again surprised that Gomer supplied a correct answer that he had never thought of himself.
"Now Gomer, listen carefully: Who killed Abraham Lincoln?"
Gomer looked a little surprised himself, then thought really hard for a minute and finally admitted, "I don't know." "Well, why don't you go home and work on that one for a while?"
So, Gomer wandered over to the pool hall where his pals were waiting to hear the results of the interview. Gomer was exultant. "It went great! First day on the job and I'm already working on a murder case!"
"Okay," the sheriff drawled, "Gomer, what is 1 and 1?"
"11" he replied.
The sheriff thought to himself, "That's not what I meant, but he's right."
"What two days of the week start with the letter 'T'?"
"Today and Tomorrow."
He was again surprised that Gomer supplied a correct answer that he had never thought of himself.
"Now Gomer, listen carefully: Who killed Abraham Lincoln?"
Gomer looked a little surprised himself, then thought really hard for a minute and finally admitted, "I don't know." "Well, why don't you go home and work on that one for a while?"
So, Gomer wandered over to the pool hall where his pals were waiting to hear the results of the interview. Gomer was exultant. "It went great! First day on the job and I'm already working on a murder case!"
Baseline Test
Read the following short joke.
Read at your normal speed.
This is your starting speed.
Click 'Start' to begin the test.
COMicPREHENSION TEST: LESSON
Read the following short joke
to measure your reading progress.
Read as fast as you can,
while maintaining comprehension.
If you get the joke...
you had good comprehension.
Click 'Start' to begin the test.
Welcome to ReadSpeeder
Real Speed Reading
You may have tried to read faster before, but you were probably frustrated because it felt like you were skimming. How disappointing to find that you didn’t really understand what you had read. This is not real speed reading.Comprehend Faster
The hardest part of reading faster is comprehending faster. That’s because you actually read with your brain, not your eyes. Sure, you can push yourself to try to see the words faster, but if this only leads to mind-wandering, then your "reading" is a waste of time. Faster comprehension requires stronger focus and concentration.Improve Concentration
To maintain stronger concentration, you need to actually focus your attention on ideas rather than words. Meaningful ideas are generally expressed in short phrases, not individual words. ReadSpeeder can train you to see and understand whole ideas at a time, by giving you practice in the form of phrase-highlighted exercises.The Lessons
There are 12 Lessons in ReadSpeeder. You will advance to the next Lesson each time you complete 15 exercises. Each Lesson presents the text in a different format, with succeeding formats moving you closer to unassisted phrase-reading on your own. Of course, this also means each Lesson will be a little more difficult.More Help
For more help with the methods and techniques of phrase-reading, consider subscribing to the free email lessons at the top of this page. Remember though, that changing the way you read takes time and patience. Your goal is to read actual ideas rather than just the words. Simply pushing your speed will result in a broken connection with the flow of these ideas. Focusing on maintaining a strong connection is the best way to increase real reading speed.Lesson 1
Comprehension Comes First
Reading IS Comprehension. If you didn't comprehend it, then you didn't read it - you only recognized the words. To improve comprehension, you need to focus on information that is more meaningful and easier to comprehend. You do this by reading whole phrases at a time. Complete phrases hold more meaning than the individual words.Words vs. Ideas
Words only have definitions, but it's how we put those words together into phrases that we express whole ideas. It's these ideas we are reading, not the words. The ideas are the messages - the words are only the messengers. That's why focusing your attention on ideas will make reading more meaningful and faster to comprehend.Chunks vs. Phrases
Meaningful ideas are not simple "chunks" of words. Each word-group must represent a separate idea on its own. This is not about just trying to read more words at a time, but about reading whole meaningful phrases at a time.Visualizing
You can’t force yourself to read faster, stop vocalizing, or comprehend better. But you can induce these results by visualizing the meaning of whole phrases, which engages the powers of your conceptual big-picture right-brain.Concentration Score
The Concentration Score at the end of each segment shows how much you were truly thinking about each phrase. This score is determined by how closely your speed correlates to the lengths of the phrases. Your first goal is to get used to reading whole phrases, which may take a little mental adjustment, so don't just push your speed without visualizing the phrases. Faster reading will come from focused concentration and improved comprehension.Lesson 2
Did you ever read a page - then wonder what you just read? Reading the page was just a total waste of 2-3 (or more) minutes of your time.But, you didn't really read anything - you just recognized a bunch of words.
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU READ.
Copying words from the page to your mind isn't reading because this doesn't even require real comprehension.
Glance at each phrase, and form a quick snapshot of what it means. It doesn't have to be perfect - any visualization at all will have a major impact on your comprehension.
One more thing: as you start each new lesson, don't be concerned if at first your speed slows down. Each lesson is harder, because it adds more techniques to think about, and gives you less assistance.
Lesson 3
Phrases are more meaningful than individual words. The more meaningful an idea, the easier it is to conceptualize, and the faster it is to understand.It might seem strange to try reading 3, 4, or even 7 words at the same time - but it's really no stranger than reading 7 letters at a time. The word "letters" has 7 letters, and you read that all at once.
Reading one-word-at-a-time is not only very slow, but it's also wasteful and inefficient. Why think of 'big' and then 'black' and then 'dog', instead of looking at the phrase as one complete idea?
In fact you already do read word-groups. Compound words, such as "everything" and "anyone" were originally separate words; "every thing" and "any one". Eventually, they were combined - and even thought of - as single ideas.
Together, visualizing and word-groups are a powerful combination. Word-groups help you visualize, and visualizing helps you read word-groups.
Practice focusing only on the current phrase, and not getting distracted by the surrounding gray text. Concentrate on seeing each word-group as one whole single idea. Plus - don't advance until you have actually read and understood each phrase. The only practice that counts is correct practice.
Lesson 4
Reading multiple words at a time has been the foundation of speed reading courses for over 100 years.But the 'eye-widening' exercises of these courses are based on a flawed assumption, because seeing more words won't improve your reading - only understanding more words will.
So to read multiple words at once, the word-group must be meaningful.
For example, simply dividing text after every 5 words results in phrases like:
Mr. Jones of the Manor
Farm had locked the hen
houses for the night.
But look at how much clearer it is when read in actual phrases.
Mr. Jones
of the Manor Farm
had locked the hen houses
for the night.
Phrases are easy to read at a glance and easy to visualize, and this is the key to faster reading.
The auto-mode can seem pretty hard to keep up with. Do your best. Sit back. Focus all your attention on just each current phrase. It's amazing what the mind can absorb when we let it.
Lesson 5
It's one thing to visualize physical objects, but what about abstract ideas? This is when we use a skill that humans excel at; that is reasoning about unobservable, imaginary things - envisioning things conceptually.Conceptualizing means recognizing attributes. Attributes describe the essence of a thing, whether it is physical or abstract.
Think of any physical or non-physical thing or idea - but without naming it. A name is just another attribute, but it is often used as a shortcut for thinking. Think about without naming something, and you are forced to think conceptually about what it really is.
For example, if you think of an apple you might think of its taste, shape, color, food group, texture, etc. The name is only one attribute, and not even required to imagine what it is.
Also note that your concept of apple will be different than anyone else's, because of your personal history, knowledge, and preferences. But this concept will be what it means to you.
Lesson 6
Sub-Vocalizing is a habit, but it actually is beneficial. I'm sure you've noticed it helps you understand better; especially difficult material. But when you improve comprehension through visualization, sub-vocalization fades away on its own.Trying to NOT sub-vocalize is counter-productive; the same way that trying to NOT yawn is. And don't even think about trying one of the 'distraction' techniques, like counting or humming - these distractions will only reduce your comprehension.
Concentrate on seeing whole ideas, visualizing the ideas to make them more meaningful; and you will find the sub-vocalizing will disappear. In fact trying to visualize and vocalize together, is as difficult as trying to rub your tummy and pat your head at the same time.
In fact, all poor reading habits are simply crutches, and the way to get rid of them is to develop your reading strength so they are no longer needed.
Note: Concentrate on comprehension. If you begin to lose comprehension: STOP, close the reading box and restart. Practice doesn't make perfect unless the practice is perfect.
Lesson 7
Effective reading is a skill. Like any skill, it can be difficult to explain in words, plus it takes practice, and a little experimentation to get it.Think of how you learned to ride a bike. No one could tell you in words exactly what to do. They could describe what they do, but you still had to get out there and wobble about until you got it.
ReadSpeeder is like training wheels. Reading with phrases highlighted for you gives you the chance to practice seeing and reading phrases. As you get more comfortable, these training wheels can be gradually raised - giving you less assistance - until they are completely removed when you no longer need them.
And remember that learning any skill also takes experimentation. Like learning to see those 3D dot-stereograms - at first they just look like random dots, but you are told a magical 3D image will appear, if you "look at it just right." You stare every way you can - until suddenly, there it is! You just need to see for yourself what works.
Lesson 8
As you practice with ReadSpeeder, also practice reading phrases in normal text, to own this skill as a habit.The main thing to be careful of when reading normal text, is not to go too fast. In fact you must be willing to slow down a bit at first and because it will take a bit more concentration to identify phrases on your own.
It can be very tempting to push your speed, but remember that you can only read as fast as you can comprehend. Any faster and you are merely spinning your wheels - lots of noise and excitement, but little scenery.
You may also find that you are tempted to try to read word-groups which are too long. If you are having trouble reading normal text, try reading shorter phrases at first. The important thing is to concentrate on visualizing whole ideas, and the speed will come.
There is a lot to think of when you are doing this without help, so just don't overwhelm yourself. Concentrate on using good form and technique, because these are the quickest paths to faster reading.
One more very important concept to remember is that there is no 'perfect' phrase - if it's a meaningful piece of text; visualize it and move on.
Lesson 9
The phrases in this lesson are indicated with alternating black & gray text. Now you can give your fingers a rest and control the speed with your eyes.As read, your concentration will constantly vary. It's like a light that gets brighter and dimmer. But it can also shut off; where you'll notice you've been reading without understanding.
This usually means you passed some text you didn't really understand. This information gap makes the following text less meaningful, and so your mind simply tunes it out altogether.
Besides brightening your concentration, you also have to narrow it like a spot light, avoiding distractions. To focus your attention, concentrate on visualizing concepts. It's easier to keep your mind on something you understand, and visualizing makes text more meaningful.
Your mind may also wander when its bored. But boredom has more to do with your own attitude then with the actual material. The more you understand, the more interesting everything becomes. So sometimes, it's not the material that's boring - it's us!
Another way to strengthen concentration is to read 'aggressively'. Instead of waiting to "receive" the information; actively take it, by reading with purpose, intention, and curiosity.
Lesson 10
Focus•Dots © is a technique to practice smoother reading. Focus only on the dot in the middle of each phrase and just let your peripheral vision pick up the surrounding words.Even•though you are•not looking at any•of the words in this•paragraph your eyes•and mind are•still able to pick•up the text.
It may seem strange to read without looking at the words, but you will be surprised how much you can read with only your peripheral vision. Without pausing to focus on the words, you will flow faster and smoother over the text. Your reading will feel less like a chain of phrases, and more like a smooth river of information.
Yes, this is a strange exercise -- and true, it involves a little bit of mind-games to get it. Here are some possible ways to get in the right mindset; see if these help.
- Imagine you can "see" the phrases inside the dots.
- Think of "letting go" of the words, and just allow the meanings to flow into your mind.
- Try "un-focusing" your eyes; seeing through the text to focus on the meaning behind.
Lesson 11
Continue practicing with black & gray text, but now the phrases can now wrap between lines; starting on one line and ending on the next. Visualize these two parts separately or together, as long as you visualize ideas.As you practice, here and with regular reading, choose content that lets you concentrate on your reading skills. While reading phrases makes it easier to understand difficult material, your reading will improve faster if you practice with simpler material.
Also remember this is not for ALL reading. You can't read short text fast, no more than you can drive fast on a short street. Fast reading requires context.
Names and numbers also require you to slow down and connect them or consider their context.
Likewise, when you are reading lists, such as a series of items separated by commas, you must slow down because each item is a separate idea.
Also, allow for gradual acceleration each time you start reading. It takes a few phrases before you really get "into" the reading, and the phrases begin to have meaningful context, so that each one helps you anticipate the next.
Basically, practice with material that's interesting enough to hold your concentration, but simple enough that you can pay attention to your technique.
Lesson 12
Once again, a two-pass auto-mode is used to push you a little beyond your comfort level. Remember that even though the auto-mode may not be easy to keep up with, just concentrate on visualizing the meaning of each phrase as best you can. Then on the second, manual pass, be sure to let your comprehension choose the speed.Also notice, the faster you read, the more likely the phrases will blur together. In fact as you concentrate more on ideas than words, you will probably become unaware of exactly which word-groups you are selecting. Focus on looking for ideas and visualizing, and your subconscious will find the groups it needs.
Sometimes there is almost a reluctance to drop the habit of reading words. As you concentrate on reading the ideas, it may feel like you actually have to give yourself permission to 'let go' of the words. But when you do, you will notice the difference. Your reading will become smooth, fast, and silent. You won't be reading words, and you won't be reading sounds. You will be reading thoughts.
YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE COURSE!
Hopefully, you have also been practicing with your regular reading. Practice is the only way to drum any skill into your long term memory and make it your own. You can also continue practicing with ReadSpeeder by returning to any of the previous lessons, or by resetting your account in Tools>Account.
And you can use the Reading with the Right Brain book available on Amazon to practice on your e-reader, phone, tablet, or PC.
The main take-away from this course is: "Reading IS Comprehension." If you learn to comprehend faster you will read faster, because without comprehension, there is no reading. Regardless of how many words you read in a minute, it's the amount of information per minute that counts; and some reading is just more information-dense than others. Read at the fastest speed you can understand, but not faster.
The last point to make is that none of this has to be perfect; relax and enjoy your reading. Don't stress over finding the 'correct' word-groups, or obsess overr your speed. Just visualize the meaning and concepts of what you read and you will find the comprehension and speed will develop on their own.
Thank you for using ReadSpeeder. If you have benefited from this course, please leave to describe your experience.