Speed and Comprehension

About this topic

Different reading tasks need different techniques. Skimming is reading quickly for the general idea (headings, first and last sentences of paragraphs). Scanning is moving your eyes rapidly to find specific information such as a name, date or keyword. Careful reading is for deep understanding and study. Choosing the right technique saves time and effort.

To read faster, avoid sub-vocalising every word, don't re-read unnecessarily, and use a pointer such as a finger or pen to guide your eyes smoothly. However, speed should never replace comprehension: slow down for complex texts. Exams reward efficient information retrieval, so reading the questions first and then scanning for keywords is a strong strategy. Average readers manage about 200 to 250 words per minute, and practice can raise this.

Worked example: to answer "When did the bridge open?", scan for numbers and the word bridge instead of reading every sentence. To decide whether a book chapter is useful, skim the headings and the first sentence of each paragraph. For a poem or a science explanation, read slowly and perhaps twice.

Common misconceptions are that speed readers absorb everything at thousands of words a minute, which research does not support, and that skimming is cheating. Measure comprehension by summarising what you read without looking, and adapt your pace to the difficulty of the material.