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How to Speed Read Anything - Peter Hollins, Markdown, HTML - Coggle Diagram
How to Speed Read Anything - Peter Hollins
Chapter One: Yes, It's Real
Areas of the brain associated with language and reading comprehension:
Broca's Area:: frontal lobe of the brain, dominant in speech production (i.e. "putting things into words"). This is used in early reading stages when subvocalizing during reading
Wernicke's Area:: second part of cerebral cortex, linked to speech and language comprehension
Using the Broca's Area to subvocalize creates an extra step in the sequence that bottlenecks the process
Myths:
Speed reading is, itself, a myth
obviously, this is demonstrably false - just not at the ludicrous speeds sometimes advertised (20-25k wpm is impossible with any practical comprehension)
Moderate gains in speed = weak comprehension
this becomes more true above 600 wpm
Speed reading "techniques" don't work and speed is gained naturally
again, demonstrably false
Benefits
Better memory
Better focus
More confidence when tackling reading and learning projects
Improved logic and thinking
Chapter Two: Pre-Reading is the Way
Methods and Frameworks
Pre-reading target areas
THIEVES
Titles
Headings
Intro
Every first sentence (after headings, of paragraphs - depends on size of work)
Visuals (graphs, figures, illustrations)
End of chapter questions or summaries
Conclusion and Summary pages
other places to note
index
glossary
table of contents
Main Ideas and Pivotal Words
Additive words: also, further, moreover, and, furthermore, too, besides, in addition
Equivalent words: as well as, at the same time, similarly, equally important, likewise
Amplification words: specifically, as, for instance, such as, like
Alternative words: either, or, other than, neither, nor, otherwise
Repetitive words: again, in other words, to repeat, that is, i.e.,
Contrast and Change words: but, on the contrary, still, conversely, on the other hand, though, despite, instead, yet, rather than, regardless, nevertheless, even though, whereas, in spite of, notwithstanding,
Cause and Effect words: accordingly, since, then, because, so this, consequently, hence, therefore, for this reason
Qualifying words: if, although, unless, providing, whenever
Concession words: accepting the data, granted that, of course, assuming
Emphasizing words: above all, more important, indeed
Order words: first, secondly, third, next, last
Time words: afterwards, meanwhile, now, before, subsequently, presently formerly, ultimately, previously , later
KBG (KGB) Method
Pre-read the book (see Pre-reading target areas
Three columns on a Piece of Paper:
Prior Knowledge
What do I already know?
Known Biases
How might I be biased for or against this work?
Goals for reading the work
Why do I care to read this?
What am I hoping to gain or learn?
The "Four P's"
Previewing
Prior Knowledge
Purpose
How am I using this text?
Predict
How do I expect the book to go?
What do I expect it to say?
Mortimer Adler's 4 Levels of Reading
Elementary - learning what sounds the letters make, associating words with concepts
Inspectional - superficial reading, systematic skimming
Analytical - taking notes, studying thoroughly, reading, re-reading. Able to explain it in detail, including arguments, structure, notes for further study
Syntopical - analytical reading applied to multiple works on the same theme or subject. many works are cross-referenced to build a robust knowledge base
SQ3R (or 4R, 5R, 6R, etc)
Survey - pre-read
this also applies to surveying the topic in general - have an idea of the "lay of the land" before diving in to any one part
have an idea of how to structure (DiSSS)
Question - turn headers and titles into questions, read discussion questions if provided,
what question am I trying to answer?
what questions are generated by pre-reading?
Read - pretty straightforward. Read the work with good technique and engagement
Recite - paraphrase notes, answer your questions, create summaries,
Review - create cheat sheets, teach others, flashcards, mind maps, Cornell notes, etc
Chapter Three: Speed-Reading Meat and Bones
Much of this is very much review from previous studies
Subvocalization
Subvocalization:: your "inner voice"
Exercises to reduce subvocalization
pick a word and look at it in total silence - try to recognize what it means without the need to vocalize
visualize the meaning rather than hear it
hum as you read
chew gum
play quiet music in the background
pacers
finger/physical
Software
Spreeder
ReadLax
Use these to force yourself to "push the pace"
Spreeder is "simpler", as you only have the one phrase in front of you vs. ReadLax uses saccades within the document (more chaos)
Count in your head
use nonsense syllables
use a metronone (can also pace your saccades)
Exercises - Train your Eyes for Speed Reading
Schultz tables
Spreeder (increase "chunk size)
Macular vision:: your primary focus for your eyesight
Peripheral vision:: outside of your macular vision
Exercise:
stick hands out to side of body, keep head straight ahead, move eyes to extreme outer edges (try to look at thumbs)
3 sets of 10
Superreading.com "eye hop" exercise (pdf with pre-formatted columns) - Superreading.com/eyehop index
Skip "meaningless" words
"I want to go to China because I hear the food is very tasty and the people are nice" = want go China food tasty people nice. 19 words pared down to 7.
"Drop Sets" - try to read at 2-3x your regular pace
Extra attention to intro and concluding sentences in paragraphs
Improve vocabulary = improved reading ability
Chapter Four: Improving Comprehension and Retention
Become more well-read
gives you more "connectors" for new knowledge
familiarizes you with vocabulary and jargon
Visualization
Covered extensively elsewhere (SuperLearner, Limitless, Moonwalking with Einstein, etc)
Dynamic comprehension:: creating images in your head for memories rather than rote memorization by repeating phrases
Visualization Exercises
look at object, close eyes
Ocular Fitness
fewer saccades = faster reading
20-20-20 exercise
every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
"Eye Writing"
write letters with your eyes (trace A, a, B, b, C, c, etc)
Clock Gazing
Look from 12:00 - 6:00, then 1:00 to 7:00, then 2:00 to 8:00, etc
Amazon.com: Speed Reading with the Right Brain: Learn to Read Ideas Instead of Just Words eBook: Butler, David: Kindle Store
Retention
Take notes
Summarize
Pass on your Knowledge (Feynman technique)
Use Mind Maps
McDowell's Grid
Left Side - concept
Right Side - emotional reaction to concept
Knowledge Tree
like a Mind Map, only more connection to central ideas ("First Principles", perhaps)
Markdown
Chapter Three: Speed-Reading Meat and Bones
Much of this is very much review from previous studies
Subvocalization
Subvocalization:: your "inner voice"
Exercises to reduce subvocalization
pick a word and look at it in total silence - try to recognize what it means without the need to vocalize
visualize the meaning rather than hear it
hum as you read
chew gum
play quiet music in the background
pacers
finger/physical
Software
Spreeder
ReadLax
Use these to force yourself to "push the pace"
Spreeder is "simpler", as you only have the one phrase in front of you vs. ReadLax uses saccades within the document (more chaos)
Count in your head
use nonsense syllables
use a metronone (can also pace your saccades)
Exercises - Train your Eyes for Speed Reading
Schultz tables
Spreeder (increase "chunk size)
Macular vision:: your primary focus for your eyesight
Peripheral vision:: outside of your macular vision
Exercise:
stick hands out to side of body, keep head straight ahead, move eyes to extreme outer edges (try to look at thumbs)
3 sets of 10
Superreading.com "eye hop" exercise (pdf with pre-formatted columns) - Superreading.com/eyehop index
Skip "meaningless" words
"I want to go to China because I hear the food is very tasty and the people are nice" = want go China food tasty people nice. 19 words pared down to 7.
"Drop Sets" - try to read at 2-3x your regular pace
Extra attention to intro and concluding sentences in paragraphs
Improve vocabulary = improved reading ability
Chapter Four: Improving Comprehension and Retention
Become more well-read
gives you more "connectors" for new knowledge
familiarizes you with vocabulary and jargon
Visualization
Covered extensively elsewhere (SuperLearner, Limitless, Moonwalking with Einstein, etc)
Dynamic comprehension:: creating images in your head for memories rather than rote memorization by repeating phrases
Visualization Exercises
look at object, close eyes
Ocular Fitness
fewer saccades = faster reading
20-20-20 exercise
every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
"Eye Writing"
write letters with your eyes (trace A, a, B, b, C, c, etc)
Clock Gazing
Look from 12:00 - 6:00, then 1:00 to 7:00, then 2:00 to 8:00, etc
Amazon.com: Speed Reading with the Right Brain: Learn to Read Ideas Instead of Just Words eBook: Butler, David: Kindle Store
Retention
Take notes
Summarize
Pass on your Knowledge (Feynman technique)
Use Mind Maps
McDowell's Grid
Left Side - concept
Right Side - emotional reaction to concept
Knowledge Tree
like a Mind Map, only more connection to central ideas ("First Principles", perhaps)
Chapter One: Yes, It's Real
Areas of the brain associated with language and reading comprehension:
Broca's Area:: frontal lobe of the brain, dominant in speech production (i.e. "putting things into words"). This is used in early reading stages when subvocalizing during reading
Wernicke's Area:: second part of cerebral cortex, linked to speech and language comprehension
Using the Broca's Area to subvocalize creates an extra step in the sequence that bottlenecks the process
Myths:
Speed reading is, itself, a myth
obviously, this is demonstrably false - just not at the ludicrous speeds sometimes advertised (20-25k wpm is impossible with any practical comprehension)
Moderate gains in speed = weak comprehension
this becomes more true above 600 wpm
Speed reading "techniques" don't work and speed is gained naturally
again, demonstrably false
Benefits
Better memory
Better focus
More confidence when tackling reading and learning projects
Improved logic and thinking
Chapter Two: Pre-Reading is the Way
Methods and Frameworks
Pre-reading target areas
THIEVES
Titles
Headings
Intro
Every first sentence (after headings, of paragraphs - depends on size of work)
Visuals (graphs, figures, illustrations)
End of chapter questions or summaries
Conclusion and Summary pages
other places to note
index
glossary
table of contents
Main Ideas and Pivotal Words
Additive words: also, further, moreover, and, furthermore, too, besides, in addition
Equivalent words: as well as, at the same time, similarly, equally important, likewise
Amplification words: specifically, as, for instance, such as, like
Alternative words: either, or, other than, neither, nor, otherwise
Repetitive words: again, in other words, to repeat, that is, i.e.,
Contrast and Change words: but, on the contrary, still, conversely, on the other hand, though, despite, instead, yet, rather than, regardless, nevertheless, even though, whereas, in spite of, notwithstanding,
Cause and Effect words: accordingly, since, then, because, so this, consequently, hence, therefore, for this reason
Qualifying words: if, although, unless, providing, whenever
Concession words: accepting the data, granted that, of course, assuming
Emphasizing words: above all, more important, indeed
Order words: first, secondly, third, next, last
Time words: afterwards, meanwhile, now, before, subsequently, presently formerly, ultimately, previously , later
KBG (KGB) Method
Pre-read the book (see Pre-reading target areas
Three columns on a Piece of Paper:
Prior Knowledge
What do I already know?
Known Biases
How might I be biased for or against this work?
Goals for reading the work
Why do I care to read this?
What am I hoping to gain or learn?
The "Four P's"
Previewing
Prior Knowledge
Purpose
How am I using this text?
Predict
How do I expect the book to go?
What do I expect it to say?
Mortimer Adler's 4 Levels of Reading
Elementary - learning what sounds the letters make, associating words with concepts
Inspectional - superficial reading, systematic skimming
Analytical - taking notes, studying thoroughly, reading, re-reading. Able to explain it in detail, including arguments, structure, notes for further study
Syntopical - analytical reading applied to multiple works on the same theme or subject. many works are cross-referenced to build a robust knowledge base
SQ3R (or 4R, 5R, 6R, etc)
Survey - pre-read
this also applies to surveying the topic in general - have an idea of the "lay of the land" before diving in to any one part
have an idea of how to structure (DiSSS)
Question - turn headers and titles into questions, read discussion questions if provided,
what question am I trying to answer?
what questions are generated by pre-reading?
Read - pretty straightforward. Read the work with good technique and engagement
Recite - paraphrase notes, answer your questions, create summaries,
Review - create cheat sheets, teach others, flashcards, mind maps, Cornell notes, etc
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