Kilani Excellence
Speed Reading College
Module
II: Speed Reading Techniques
Chapter 10
Turns
& Slides
Overview
This Chapter will explain in detail the
advanced paragraph reading techniques practiced by high speed readers. The
basic theme for all fast-paced techniques is to focus on mastery of the
technique with consistent practice, initially sacrificing comprehension.
The obvious question is that if I cannot understand and recall what I have
read, then that was not reading. That is correct. The emphasis is the
underlined word initially.
High speed reading, above the linear
reading speeds of 800-1200 WPM, will almost always forgo some comprehension.
There is no substitute to linear word-by-word reading for the best
comprehension. However, as in all habits, once you are comfortable with your new
high speed reading techniques, better comprehension will follow. This may take
time and you will need to be patient. The rewards are significant in
catapulting you from the limits of linear reading to the expansion of visual
reading.
This Chapter has a pre-requisite of the
Chapter 8 Reading Backwards Naturally and Chapter 9 Double Vision Going Forward
Chapters. It is strongly recommended that you read and practice the
afore-mentioned Chapters first before attempting the techniques of this
Chapter.
The chapter covers:
Paragraph Reading
The U-Turn
Technique
The 7-Slide
Technique
The V-Slide
Technique
Paragraph Reading
Exercise
Paragraph
Reading
You are used to word by word and line by
line linear reading in the forward direction, as in Chapter R210. You have also
practiced line by line linear reading backwards, as in Chapter R220. The line
U-turn and 7-slide techniques introduced you to read forwards 1 line followed
by backwards one line, either horizontally or diagonally.
In this Chapter, you shall combine your
vertical vision (covered in R230 Double Vision Going Forward) with your
backward hand/eye movement (covered in R220 Reading Backwards Naturally) to
read paragraphs more efficiently.
In the line U-turn technique, you learnt to
maximise your eye movements’ effectiveness, by using the eyes in the ‘return
trip’ back from the normal forward direction after the previous end of line
jump. In paragraph reading, the backwards reading motion will encompass the
whole paragraph, or part of it if it happens to be longer than 5 lines.
There are basically two ways to read
paragraphs backwards (whether it is a line or a group of lines): make a U-turn
or Slide back at the end of the forward line. In a U-Turn movement, which we
shall abbreviate to U, the eyes will finish the first line, come down
vertically in the right margin 3-5 lines and glide back over the 4-6th line,
respectively, in the return trip to the beginning of the 5-7th line. It looks
like this:
In the sliding technique, the eyes will
slide across the group of lines constituting the paragraph to the beginning or
middle of the fifth line, like this:
The above movement is very close to the
shape of the digit ‘7’, so we shall call it the 7-Slide technique, or simply 7.
The green rectangles in the above U and 7
diagrams represent the eyes field of vision as they move along the first line
and turn or slide across the paragraph. If the paragraph is long, then the
pattern will be repeated twice or three times to cover the whole paragraph.
This will mean that a 13 line paragraph could be covered in 3 complete
movements: 1 forward first line, turn or slide across 3 lines (2,3,4) to the 5th
line, read the 5th line forward, turn or slide 3 lines (6,7,8) to
the 9th line, read 9th line forward, turn or slide 3
lines (10,11,12) to the 13th line.
If the last line of the paragraph is long,
you may need to read it forward as well. Once the paragraph is covered, start
again on the next paragraph, and so on. This could mean that the last line of
one paragraph and the first line of the next paragraph are both read in forward
manner. That’s OK, as long as you always read the first line of each paragraph
in the forward direction. Remember also that backwards reading is most
effective at high speeds, with usually means one or two eye fixations per
backwards line or group of lines.
The above two techniques, U and 7, are the intermediate stage of most advanced
speed reading. The basic idea is that the brain is further trained
to maximise the back ‘jump’ to the next forwards line and to stay focused to
grasp the meaning of the paragraph. Initially, the brain will resist even
harder than the line U & 7 techniques, as not only it has to read backwards
but understand a group of lines instantaneously as well. This is going to be
tough and it will hurt, in the beginning.
However, aiming far beyond linear reading
(even in both directions) and into visual or image reading, the need to read
groups of lines, in multiple directions, becomes mandatory.
The obvious question now is: Why restrict
the eye movements to linear reading on the first line? Why not read linearly a
GROUP of lines in the forwards direction, then U-turn or Slide a group of lines
backwards, then a group of lines linearly forwards, and so on. The answer is:
Why not indeed. You can read each paragraph by either:
The diagrams representing the above
scenarios look like this:
The above movement is very close to the
letter ‘V’, so we shall call it the V-Slide reading technique, or simply ‘V’.
Let us also go further: You can also
maximise the field of vision by making fewer eye fixations and distancing the
eyes from the margins, focusing only on the MIDDLE section of the lines. This
will narrow the downward path further and further. Theoretically, if your
horizontal eye span can accommodate the whole line, then you can read whole
lines while your eyes move vertically downwards at the centre of the page. If
your vertical eye span can also accommodate groups of lines or paragraphs as a
Chapter, then you can read paragraphs, one at a time, vertically downwards as
well.
That was breath-taking, so let us take a
breather here and slow down a bit. In this Chapter, we shall stay focused on
the paragraph reading techniques. We shall cover page reading techniques in
Chapter R260 Advancing Your Techniques.
The issue is not hand and eye movements;
anybody can move their fingers/pointers and eyes zigzagging or sliding
vertically down the page. The problem is comprehension! You simply will not
understand much, if anything, from the words you have seen. The brain sill has
to make sense of the printed text, otherwise there is really no point ‘reading’
in any direction.
Multi-directional hand/eye movements are
the essence of high speed reading in terms of mechanical movement. This will
need to be complemented by enhancing comprehension and recall at high speeds.
This is covered in later Chapters dedicated to language, writing structures,
paragraph types, special indicator words, vocabulary, prefixes, suffixes,
comprehension, concentration and recall techniques. This Chapter will focus
exclusively on the hand/eye movements, but you are invited to read the
comprehension Chapters if your understanding is not keeping up with your hands
and eyes.
The
Paragraph U, 7 and V Exercise
In this exercise you will use the Paragraph
U-Turn (U), 7-Slide and V-slide reading techniques, while guiding your eyes
with your finger/pointer, to read further and faster, in repeated cycles,
within a fixed specified time frame.
1.
Expectation
The objectives of the exercise are as
follows:
1) Learn the new
Paragraph U-Turn, 7 and V sliding techniques
2) Increase your speed
gradually in each cycle to meet time deadlines
3) Develop your
comprehension and recall abilities at higher speeds in all directions
You should NOT focus on comprehension and
recall in the first cycle and practice on reading speed only. Gradually aim to
fill the gaps in your comprehension in each of the next 3 cycles but without
decreasing reading speed. The exercise is focused on learning new techniques;
hence comprehension and recall are not overly important at this stage. Stay
focused on the techniques.
2.
Preparation
1) Reading Material:
i.
Type:
Book, non-fiction
ii.
Level:
Easy - Medium
iii.
Content: New chapter
iv.
Length: At least 10 pages (exact number depends
on your speed)
2) Accessories
i.
Markers: Pencil, paper clips, sticky notes
ii.
MF: Memory Friend diagram
(Mirror/Martian/Centipede)
iii.
WI/WP Writing Instrument or Word Processor
iv.
Timer: Voice recorder (best), stopwatch
3) Timer Device
Settings:
i.
Length: 2 minute
ii.
Intervals: 1 minute
4) Reading Guides Hand/Index Finger or your favourite
Reading Guide pointer
Pre-reading marker
guides are required as follows:
Ø On all the pages
left hand margins, mark with a penciled arrow line the first line of each
paragraph and every sub-heading. For long paragraphs, use 2 or 3 markers. These
arrows will guide your finger/pointer and eye to the next starting position
after each end of line backward reading movement.
3.
Orientation
The exercise
context is practicing 4 new hand/eye coordination movements, covering the 3
techniques: U, 7 and V.
Paragraph U-Turn
(Forward 1 Line, Backward N Lines)
Paragraph U-Turn
(Forward N Lines, Backward N Lines)
Paragraph 7-Slide
(Forward 1 Line, Backward N Lines)
Paragraph V-Slide
(Forward N Lines, Backward N Lines)
The 3 techniques
progress gradually in speed: U-Turn F1LBNL is the slowest (relatively speaking)
and the V-Slide is the fastest. The new techniques and the faster reading speeds
in succeeding cycles will cause you to lose comprehension, as most words will
appear as a blur, much like the scene out of a train window, if you are seated
facing the opposite direction of the train motion. Do not be discouraged by
this phenomenon, everybody goes through the same experience initially. You
brain is being extended beyond its normal mode of operation, and it simply
needs time to adapt. Give it the time it needs; there are no short cuts to
this process, contrary to most peoples’ desire to become speed readers
overnight.
1) Open your exercise
book to a new chapter
2) Optional: Mark your
starting point with the number ‘0’ (zero)
3) Start your timer
device (voice recorder, 2 m, 1 m interval) and
get ready for the ‘Go’ signal
4) Upon hearing the
‘Go’ signal, start reading using your reading guide (finger, pointer) according
to the U-Turn technique using the Forward 1 Line Backward N Lines method.
5) Upon hearing the
‘Stop’ signal, stop your reading and mark that point with the number ‘1’. This
completes your first reading cycle.
6) Repeat steps 3, 4
and 5 (start timer, read, stop after 2 m) one more time, completing your second
reading cycle, but according to the U-Turn technique using the Forward N Lines
Backward N Lines method. You should aim to go further than the mark of number
‘1’ by at least 1 paragraph; the more
lines/paragraphs the better. Focus on speed, not comprehension or recall.
Record on your Memory Friend diagram (Mirror/ Martian/Centipede) the main
theme/topic (in the circle) and keywords (on the lines), starting on the right
middle line and going clockwise. Mark the end of your second cycle with the
number ‘2’.
7) Repeat steps 3, 4
and 5 (start timer, read, stop after 2 m) TWO more times, completing your third
and fourth reading cycles, but according to the 7-Slide and V-Slide techniques
respectively. You should aim to go further than each previous mark by at least
1 paragraph, the more the better. Focus on speed, not comprehension or recall.
If you can add anything (keyword, detail) to your Memory Friend diagram, great,
if not, stay focused on increasing speed. Mark the end of your third and fourth
cycles with the numbers ‘3’ and ‘4’.
|
Exercise
X |
Cycle
|
Material |
Time |
Technique |
Post
Read |
|
|
(1) (2) (3) (4) |
n
Lines (1)
+ 1 P (2)
+ 1 P (3)
+ 1 P |
2 m 2 m 2 m 2 m |
U
F1BN U
FNBN 7-Slide V-Slide |
R R R C+R+S |
4.
Execution
The technique
changes for each cycle in the exercise, covering the U technique methods then
the 7 and V sliding techniques. You shall use your finger/pointer as a reading
guide and set pre-reading markers to guide your eyes’ backward and sliding
reading to the next forward line (usually the first line of the next
paragraph).
The exercise
requires faster speeds for each subsequent cycle within the same timeframe (2
minute) using different techniques and methods. Hence, you should aim to
increasingly read the forward lines faster and glide through the backward or
sliding lines (sacrificing some comprehension). So, in each subsequent cycle:
The emphasis of the
exercise is learning new, potentially difficult, reading techniques. In the
Forward 1 Line methods, use the first line of each paragraph to grasp as much
as possible of the main point presented (comprehension), since you are reading
it in the Forward direction. Use the backward movement to form any further
impressions of the paragraph content. This gets harder in the Forward N Lines
methods, so you can start by focusing more on the first line and reading the
other lines in your peripheral vision (soft focus). As usual, pay particular
attention to chapter heading, section headings, numbered/bulleted lists and any
bold, italicised, underlined or CAPITALISED text (to aid recall).
Use the fast page
turning movement and book holding position. You will need your fast page
turning movement if you’re reading in any cycle with a speed exceeding 3 pages
per minute (estimated 1,000 WPM).
5.
Reflection
At the end of the 4th reading
cycle, you should contemplate the following:
1) Comprehension
i.
What
was the main theme/topic of the material?
ii.
Were
there any new concepts or ideas presented?
iii.
Who
were the main characters, if any
iv.
What
were the main events, if any?
2) Recall
i.
Review
your Memory Friend and update as needed
ii.
Add
any specific highlighted (bold , italicised, underlined,
capital letters, etc.) words or phrases
iii.
Optionally,
try to recall the sequence of section headings or main points, and write the
sequence numbers on your MF diagram
6.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The recommended KPIs for this exercise are
the following:
1)
Reading Speed
Use the Line
Average calculation method to calculate the speed of each cycle in WPM. If you
covered more than 3 pages in 1minute, then use the Page Average calculation
method.
2)
Comprehension Rate
Review the reading
material again, and estimate roughly your % perception and understanding. No
exact figure is needed for this exercise. However, you should, at least, know
the main topic and the general context of each section/sub-heading.
3)
Recall Rate
Review the reading
material again and estimate the % of list of facts or important points/ideas
presented. No exact figure is needed for
this exercise, however, you should recall at least:
50% of the points,
items and/or ideas presented
50% of bold, italicised, underlined, CAPITALISED words/phrases
7.
Conclusion
The exercise encouraged you to read
paragraphs in 2 directions, forwards and backwards, and 2 dimensions,
horizontally and diagonally (X and Z, if you prefer). You tried to go faster
using a different technique, in each subsequent cycle, within a specified
timeframe (2 minutes). You have observed that to achieve faster speeds in the
horizontal dimension (forward or backward) you needed to read lines faster, by
grouping words on a line or group of lines. The backward reading is more
challenging, as it is contrary to the brain’s normal mode of operation.
However, you managed to get the idea of the paragraph, even at high speeds.
Using your finger/pointer helped to guide
your eyes along the lines, in all directions. You used your first cycle to get
accustomed to high speeds and backward reading, the rest of the cycles to
absorb the main ideas and points presented.
Once you are familiar with the U, 7 and V
techniques, you should use them for ALL reading from this moment on. This is
the ‘jump’ out of linear, line-by-line, reading into the fast lane. Eventually,
the ‘V’ technique should become your standard speed reading technique, as it is
the basic movement of all advanced speed readers. In a nutshell, you should be
able to read diagonally in both forwards and backwards directions.
Workout 3
After completing this chapter,
you may practice Chapter 17 Workout 3 exercises, until you feel comfortable with the paragraph U-turns,
7-slides and the and the V
techniques. This may take a few days, so dedicate 40-60 minutes each day for
the practice.
When you feel you have achieved
mastery of the techniques, proceed to Chapter 11 ‘Gliders,
Broomstick & Binoculars’, which will introduce page overview
reading techniques.
You may cover the next chapter
BEFORE practicing the Workout 3 exercises, as some exercises will require the
page overview techniques.
