reading

[tiger~torah]

why is it that some people can read faster than others?....i was reading a book with my friend today, and she finished a whole page before me and then proceeded to get very bored!!

[pinksmartie]

is it just practise?
I used to read slow, but i read a lot now and i can read a book faster than most.

[beejaybee]

There are a lot of people who don`t read every word on each page.

[crosso]

If you go on a speed-reading course then you'd be advised to focus on each sentence to get the jist of the story rather than concentrating on every word. Then as you progressed in the speed-reading, you would be able to scan each paragraph and even each page to get the meaning, without staring at each word in the progressive sequence. But a lot of people would say that you get a lot more out of the text if you read every word and think around the different aspects of meaning that that particular word gives to you. So it depends on the type of book...whether you want to enjoy reading it slowly or get to the point of the action! (Obviously, some people do the speed-reading without needing a course.) I prefer to read slowly, myself, but I suppose it's all personal choice. I hope it was a good book!

[qapmoc]

Umm.... maybe some people have more IQ than others and can therefore read faster than others??
In fact I know someone with such a high IQ and reading speed that he can read a page before he even opens the book.

[southerngirl]

As crosso says, some people speed read, although they don't always know they are doing it. You'll probably find that people who read slowly tend to read just about every word on tghe page and they can tell you some time later much more detail about the story. Some one who speed reads, like me (although I didn't know what it was until a few years ago) tend to read the main words and leave out the "ifs", "thes" and "ands". These people will probably tell you that the main gist words of the page jump out at them, but some time later can tell you what the book was about and whether they enjoyed it, but can't go into detail. Funny thing is, it happens with films as well. My friend can watch a film once and then tell me all the quotes, whilst I enjoy a film and can tell you the important bits, but don't rremember the detail. Perhaps we do the same with our ears as we do with our eyes!!!

[crosso]

I agree that it is a matter of practice and different techniques, but surely the only real asset to being able to read quickly is if you have to do a boring assignment, eg a student having to study their least favourite subject or an office worker who's only training to increase their job prospects. If it's pleasurable reading I don't think it matters how fast you read, but there are certain situations I can't read in at all...especially in the sun (gives me a headache!) I haven't enjoyed any of the books I've tried to read recently so I'm on the look-out for a good one! All the best, C