10 practical tips to become a faster reader

Mar 9, 2024

Aakanksha Sharma

Practice speed reading

The ability and talent to read fast is known as ‘speed-reading’. While some people can read about 200-300 words per minute, others can barely manage 50 words! And so, if you want to practice some speed-reading, here we list some practical tips for the same.

​Read the material beforehand

Before reading something new or starting a new chapter or book, spend a few moments previewing it. Skim the headings, subheadings, and any bold or italic text to get a sense of the structure and main ideas.

​Get a better hand on your vocabulary

The more words you know, the faster you’ll be able to recognise and understand them while reading. Make a habit of learning new words regularly to expand your vocabulary. This will also stop the occasional looking up words which can distract you.

Use your fingers

Guide your eyes along the lines of text using your finger or a pointer. This helps keep your focus and prevents your eyes from wandering, ultimately increasing your reading speed.

Read regularly

Reading fast is not everybody’s cup of tea! Some people read 100 words a minute, others just 40-50. So, like any skill, reading speed improves with practice. Set aside dedicated time each day to read, and challenge yourself to gradually increase your speed.

Try not to read aloud

While this technique helps you retain what you are reading or memorise easily, reading aloud can slow down your speed. Try to minimise this habit by focusing on visualising the meaning of the text instead.

You may also like

Facts about ‘Dragon Ball’ creator Akira …

10 life lessons to learn from ‘The Secre…

Use your vision wisely

While this technique is easier said than done, but try to train yourself to take in more than one word at a time. Instead of fixing your eyes on each word individually, try to see groups of words or entire phrases at once.

Don’t constantly re-read

While it is important to revisit text that you couldn’t understand to make sense of what you are reading, doing this constantly can set you back. So resist the urge to re-read by being present when you read the sentence for the first time.

Remove any distractions

The biggest factor of not being able to read quickly is being distracted by things. Create a calm, distraction-free environment by removing any noise, clutter, or electronic devices. Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can fully concentrate on the text at hand.

Use speed-read apps

There are numerous applications and websites available that let you paste the text onto the text box and then they dictate and move the sentence according to the speed you select. This can help form a habit of speed reading.

Take small breaks

In the end, make sure to take regular breaks as speed reading is kind of tedious. Reading for extended periods without breaks can lead to fatigue and decreased comprehension which will stop you from improving your speed.

Thanks For Reading!

Next: Facts about ‘Dragon Ball’ creator Akira Toriyama one must know