Recently i have been working through courses that are supposed to train me how to speed read. One of the key principals of speed reading is that you dont subvocalize (pronouncing words in your head while reading) words when you read them. Supposedly the brain can process literally thousands of words per minute, but you have to be able to visually process these words without saying them to yourself in you head. A few tips i have already heard are to hole a toothpick in my mouth, or chew gum, but i can do these things and still subvocalize. Does anyone have tips on how to eliminate subvocalization?
2006-10-21 16:42:50 · 4 answers · asked by toasterwater 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I would especially appreciate tips from those of you who have already mastered speed reading techniques.
2006-10-21 16:51:00 · update #1
Put on long (classical and classical jazz) instrumental music.
Give yourself a time deadline to read some material each day that forced you above 500 words per minute so that you can't read it on schedule with subvocalization.
2006-10-21 16:46:03 · answer #1 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if it's possible for people who do not have visual thinking to do it. I just take a snapshot of the page and am lucky to usually recall later on what is on it as if I'm reading it again. My husband gets annoyed with me for reading some types of documents so quickly...and I don't even understand the technicalities behind the ability.
Perhaps over time, if you just read and don't think about it, then you will not say the words in your head at the same time. You'll get used to it and will go faster? Like a typist learning not to look at the keys while they type.
2006-10-21 16:46:39 · answer #2 · answered by *babydoll* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I would question whether or not this speed reading course is a hoax or not. How can you even process what you are reading without thinking about it? Thinking is part of subvocalizing? If you were to speed read without subvocalizing, wouldn't it become part of your subconscious memory? I would put some skeptical thought to this whole thing before I really bought into the idea. Sounds fishy.
2006-10-21 16:47:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
Ooh! If you're going to try the jazz as recommended by the first poster, I suggest Bessie Smith. Oddly enough, she's great to listen to while studying economy.
2006-10-21 17:39:30 · answer #4 · answered by Lilywhite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋