Improvement of Reading Rate

Do you know that almost anyone can double his reading speed while maintaining equal or even higher comprehension with what he is reading? In other words, improving the speed with which he gets what he wants from reading is not a problem for anyone at all!

Isn’t that great to hear?

It is a fact that an average college student reads between 250 and 350 words per minute (wpm) on fiction and non-technical materials. But the reading speed that is considered “good” should be around 500 to 700 wpm. And yet, other people can read 1,000 wpm or even faster on these kinds of materials. What makes the difference? Actually, there are three main factors involved in improving one’s reading speed: (1) the desire to improve, (2) the willingness to try new techniques and (3) the motivation to practice.

Learning to read rapidly and well presupposes that you have enough vocabulary and necessary comprehension skills. When you have achieved your understanding to the level where you are able to comprehend college-level materials, then you can say that you are completely ready to speed reading practice in earnest.

The Role of Speed in the Reading Process

Speed has a vital role in the reading process and understanding of it is essential. Research has shown a close relation between speed and understanding. Progress charts of thousands of individuals taking reading training were deliberated and it has been found in most cases that an increase in rate has been paralleled by an increase in comprehension; also, where rate has gone down, comprehension has also decreased. Although there is at present little statistical evidence, it seems that slow (or word-by-word) reading prevents thorough understanding of the material. The factors producing slow reading may also be involved in lowered comprehension.

Most adults though are able to increase their rate of reading considerably and rather quickly without lowering comprehension. These same individuals seldom show an increase in comprehension when they reduce their rate. In other cases, comprehension is actually better at faster speed of reading. Such results, of course, are primarily dependent upon the method used to gain the increased rate. Simply reading more rapidly without actual improvement in basic reading habits like vocabulary, grammar, etc. usually results in lowered comprehension.

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