How to Read a Book a Day | Jordan Harry | TEDxBathUniversity

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker shares their personal journey from struggling with a speech impediment to becoming a speed-reading expert. Through the dedication of their mother, who prioritized speech therapy, they overcame their reading difficulties and developed the skills to read 1500 words per minute. The speaker then discusses common reading habits that slow people down—such as subvocalization, regression, and fixations—and provides actionable tips to combat them. By learning speed-reading techniques like skimming, scanning, and using a pacer, anyone can improve their reading speed and comprehension, making it possible to read a book a day.

Takeaways

• 😀 Overcoming challenges: The speaker’s journey started with a speech impediment, which led to a fear of reading, but with support from their mother, they were able to overcome it and achieve success in speed reading.
• 😀 Mindset is key: Speed reading is a skill that anyone can learn with the right mindset. There’s no such thing as a bad reader, just those with bad reading habits.
• 😀 Subvocalization slows you down: Reading aloud in your head, known as subvocalization, limits your reading speed. To read faster, visualize the words instead of hearing them.
• 😀 Small distractions help break the subvocalization habit: Using the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth can prevent mouthing words as you read, helping you focus and speed up.
• 😀 The right environment boosts focus: Working in an environment similar to a coffee shop, where it’s not too loud or too quiet, can help improve productivity and focus while reading.
• 😀 Regression (going back and rereading) wastes time: Instead of going back to reread text, stay active by asking questions and using techniques like gliding your eyes across the page to improve focus.
• 😀 Fixations can slow reading speed: The more times your eyes stop on a word, the slower your reading becomes. Minimize fixations with a pacer (like your finger or a pen) to keep your eyes moving.
• 😀 Active reading is essential: Engage with the material by asking questions and being curious, which helps maintain focus and enhances understanding.
• 😀 The 80/20 rule for books: 80% of a book’s value can be found in 20% of its content. Focus on key chapters and subheadings for efficient reading.
• 😀 Skimming and scanning are effective pre-reading strategies: Skim through pages quickly for an overview and then scan for important keywords and figures to prepare for speed reading.
• 😀 Speed reading isn’t about just reading faster: It’s also about improving comprehension by becoming familiar with the content before diving in with focused reading techniques.

Q & A

What is the main challenge the speaker faced in primary school?

The speaker struggled with a speech impediment, which affected their ability to pronounce words, leading to slower reading speeds and a fear of reading.

How did the speaker's mother help them overcome their reading challenges?

The speaker's mother prioritized taking them to speech therapy every week, despite the personal sacrifices she made, such as not going on holidays.

What is the speaker's current reading speed, and how does it compare to the average reader?

The speaker's current reading speed is 1500 words per minute, which is seven times faster than the average untrained reader, who typically reads at 200-250 words per minute.

What does the speaker believe is essential for improving reading speed?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of having an open mindset and identifying bad reading habits that slow down reading speed.

What is 'subvocalization' and how does it affect reading speed?

Subvocalization is the inner voice we use when reading, which slows down reading speed because it limits the pace to our speaking rate. The speaker suggests that to read faster, one must stop hearing the words in their head and focus on visualizing them.

What strategies does the speaker recommend to reduce subvocalization?

The speaker recommends pressing the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth and adjusting your environment, such as studying in spaces that balance noise levels and help maintain focus.

What is 'regression' in reading, and why should it be avoided?

Regression refers to the habit of going back to previous sections of text, often due to lack of focus or understanding. This slows down reading speed. The speaker suggests becoming an active reader and using techniques like gliding to avoid this habit.

How does gliding help improve reading speed?

Gliding involves using a pointer, like a credit card or pen, to cover the text you've already read, forcing you to stay focused on the current sentence without backtracking.

What are 'fixations' in reading, and how can they be minimized?

Fixations are moments when the eyes stop and focus on a single word or small group of words. To reduce fixations, the speaker recommends using a pacer, like a pen or hand, and practicing techniques like bouncing your eyes across columns of text.

What are the stages of speed-reading that the speaker outlines?

The speaker outlines four stages: 1) Reading the front and back covers for context, 2) Reviewing the table of contents, 3) Skimming the book for key points, and 4) Scanning for essential details before engaging in the final speed-reading stage.