Speed Reading with the Right Brain

1. Reading is comprehension, not just word recognition

You haven't read anything until you've comprehended it.

Reading is understanding. Simply recognizing words or even saying them aloud doesn't constitute true reading. The goal is to grasp the meaning behind the text, not just to process the symbols on the page. This fundamental shift in perspective is crucial for improving reading skills.

Comprehension is the essence of reading. It involves:

• Interpreting the author's intent
• Connecting new information to existing knowledge
• Critically analyzing the content
• Forming mental images or concepts

Without comprehension, the act of reading becomes a meaningless exercise in decoding symbols. By focusing on understanding, readers can extract value from the text and truly benefit from the reading experience.

2. Visualize and conceptualize to engage the right brain

Visualizing is just thinking about it with your right brain, the parallel-processing hemisphere that has its own very effective way of rapidly understanding large amounts of information.

Engage your visual cortex. By actively visualizing the concepts you're reading about, you tap into the power of your right brain, which excels at processing information holistically and rapidly. This technique allows you to grasp complex ideas more quickly and retain them more effectively.

Conceptualization techniques:

• Create mental images of concrete descriptions
• Use metaphors for abstract concepts
• Connect new ideas to familiar experiences
• Form mental maps of relationships between concepts

By engaging both hemispheres of your brain, you create a richer, more memorable reading experience. This approach not only improves comprehension but also enhances retention and recall of the information you've read.

3. Read in meaningful phrases, not individual words

Reading whole phrases is like taking larger strides when you run.

Chunk information for efficiency. Instead of focusing on individual words, train your brain to grasp entire phrases or ideas at once. This approach allows you to process information more quickly and efficiently, much like taking larger steps allows you to cover more ground when running.

Benefits of phrase-reading:

• Increased reading speed
• Improved comprehension of context and meaning
• Reduced subvocalization (internal speech)
• Enhanced ability to grasp main ideas

By practicing this technique, you'll find that your brain naturally begins to group words into meaningful units, allowing you to absorb information more rapidly without sacrificing understanding.

4. Comprehension speed determines reading speed

Pushing your speed beyond your comprehension leads to nothing more than exhaustion and frustration.

Prioritize understanding over speed. Many speed reading techniques focus on increasing the rate at which you scan words, but this approach often leads to poor comprehension. Instead, concentrate on improving your ability to quickly grasp concepts, and your reading speed will naturally increase as a result.

Improving comprehension speed:

• Expand your vocabulary
• Build background knowledge in various subjects
• Practice active reading techniques
• Develop critical thinking skills

As your ability to quickly understand complex ideas improves, you'll find that your reading speed naturally increases without the need for artificial pacing techniques or forced speed increases.

5. Relaxation and patience are key to improved reading

Relaxing relates back to not allowing yourself to start pushing your speed. As much as you might want to read fast, this pressure will only serve to sabotage your efforts.

Cultivate a calm mindset. Anxiety about reading speed can actually hinder your progress. By approaching reading with a relaxed and patient attitude, you allow your brain to process information more efficiently and effectively.

Techniques for relaxed reading:

• Take deep breaths before starting
• Create a comfortable reading environment
• Set realistic goals for your reading sessions
• Practice mindfulness while reading

Remember that improvement takes time. By maintaining a relaxed and patient approach, you'll create the optimal conditions for your brain to absorb and process information, ultimately leading to better comprehension and increased reading speed.

6. Flexibility in speed adapts to content complexity

Reading is like this. Speeding along through simple and familiar reading material is like racing down a straightaway. But coming into more difficult material or complex writing style means you've got to slow down, otherwise you'll find you are reading along, when all of a sudden nothing more is entering your mind.

Adjust your pace to the content. Just as a driver adjusts their speed based on road conditions, a skilled reader varies their reading speed according to the complexity of the material. This flexibility allows for optimal comprehension across different types of texts.

Factors affecting reading speed:

• Familiarity with the subject matter
• Complexity of vocabulary and sentence structure
• Density of new information
• Your purpose for reading (e.g., skimming vs. deep understanding)

By learning to adapt your reading speed to the demands of the text, you'll maintain high comprehension levels while maximizing efficiency across various types of material.

7. Myths about speed reading hinder real improvement

It's unfortunate that the business of helping people improve their reading skills has been hijacked by so many charlatans.

Beware of unrealistic claims. Many speed reading programs promise extraordinary results with minimal effort, often based on pseudoscientific techniques. These myths can distract readers from developing genuine, effective reading skills.

Common speed reading myths:

• Reading thousands of words per minute with full comprehension
• Eliminating subvocalization entirely
• Using finger or eye movement patterns to increase speed
• Skipping "unimportant" words

Instead of pursuing these questionable techniques, focus on developing solid comprehension skills and practicing conceptual reading. Real improvement comes from consistent practice and a focus on understanding, not from quick fixes or gimmicks.

8. Practice conceptual reading for lasting skill development

Simply put, reading faster requires comprehending faster.

Consistent practice yields results. Like any skill, improving your reading ability requires regular, focused practice. By consistently applying the principles of conceptual reading and visualization, you can develop lasting improvements in both speed and comprehension.

Effective practice strategies:

• Set aside dedicated time for reading practice
• Use varied reading materials to challenge yourself
• Focus on visualizing and conceptualizing as you read
• Regularly assess your comprehension and speed
• Be patient and persistent, recognizing that improvement takes time

Remember that the goal is not just to read faster, but to absorb and understand information more efficiently. By practicing conceptual reading techniques consistently, you'll develop a powerful skill that enhances both your personal and professional life.

Last updated: March 11, 2025