Speed Reading: Does It Actually Work? Here Is What Research Says | Chapterly Blog
Speed Reading: Does It Actually Work? Here Is What Research Says Speed reading has been sold as a superpower for decades. Take a weekend course, learn a few techniques, and you will blaze through books at 1,000 or even 2,000 words per minute with full comprehension. Presidents, CEOs, and top performers supposedly swear by it. The promise is appealing: read more books in less time without sacrificing understanding. But does it hold up to scientific scrutiny? The short answer is no, at least not in the way most speed reading programs claim. The longer answer reveals what actually works for reading faster without destroying comprehension. The Claims of Speed Reading Most speed reading programs teach some combination of these techniques: Eliminating subvocalization: Stopping the inner voice that sounds out words as you read, which supposedly removes a bottleneck that slows you down. Reducing fixations: Training your eyes to take in groups of words or entire lines at a time rather than focusing on individual words. Eliminating regression: Training yourself to never re-read sentences or go back to earlier passages. RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation): Flashing words one at a time on a screen at high speed, which some apps use...