About Speed Reading Programs
Speed reading programs teach various methods of increasing reading rate while also enhancing comprehension and retention. Basically, speed reading programs show people how to read groups of words instead of single words. Different programs have different techniques for eliminating unnecessary words from the reading process. Speed reading program advertisements typically say readers will at least double or triple their original reading speed.
Other People Are Reading
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Vertical Reading
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Some speed reading programs teach people to move their eyes vertically down a page rather than across and down.
Skimming and Selection
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Other programs teach people how to skim pages efficiently for the most relevant information, or advocate only reading certain paragraphs in chapters.
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Regression and Sub-vocalization
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Speed reading programs teach people to avoid regressions, which is moving the eyes back over words already read but not comprehended due to the mind wandering. Sub-vocalization, or hearing one's own voice reading words, also is reduced.
Evelyn Wood
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Evelyn Wood Reading Dynamics was the first speed reading program, developed in the 1950s and still around today. Later programs build upon these original techniques (see Resources).
Speed Reading Tactics
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Speed Reading Tactics is an online course with personalized individualized coaching. In addition to speed reading, the company teaches skills in accelerated learning, comprehension, concentration and memory (see Resources).
Photo Reading
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Photo Reading promises to show individuals how to use the whole mind to read with speed and comprehension. After an hour, you're supposed to be able to photo read a dictionary at 25,000 words a minute (see Resources). This is an impressive claim, since the average reader reads about 200 wpm and the excellent reader 700 wpm, according to "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Speed Reading" by Abby Marks Beale and Pam Mullan.
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