Why Read Fast or At All
The average adult can only read an average of 250 words per minute (WPM). Given that an average novel has between 90,000 and 140,000 words, it would take an average person 6 to 9 hours to read a book (provided that it was all read in one session, and very consistently, and with absolutely no interruptions or distractions). Of course, most people don’t have this kind of time, patience, or attention span.
On the other hand, the average speed reader can maintain an
average of 600 WPM, with the same comprehension and retention rate. Through
special speed reading training, people have consistently broken the 1,000 WPM
barrier. So-called “professional speed readers” achieve reading rates upwards
of 2,000 WPM, with higher comprehension and retention than both the average reader
and average speed reader. The current fastest reader in the world is said to
reach close to 5,000 WPM with average understanding of the material read.
Speed Reading Techniques
It turns out that anyone who wants to increase their reading
speed can do so. With minimum proper practice, people can nearly double their reading
speed. In this article, I will introduce two simple techniques that you can
start using today, and start reading faster immediately.
The two main issues that slow people down are subvocalizing
words in their head, and looking back to re-read words. The first of these
issues is the reason that people read about as fast as they can speak. To break
the habit of backtracking (looking back at the same line of text read
previously), one only needs to train his or her eyes. Techniques that help with
this include moving your finger below the line of text being read, and
following your finger with your eye. Move your finger at a constant rate, and
soon your eye will get used to scanning a line of text at that speed.
Eventually no finger is needed to guide the eye.
The best way to stop sounding out words in your head is to
simply be conscious about the fact, and simply “photograph” the word with your
eye, and let your eye take care of registering what the meaning of the word is.
With practice, you will see how amazing this is. At first some people don’t
even believe that this is possible. Think about it, though. When you see the
shape of a heart drawn somewhere, you need only get that image in front of your
eyes, and your brain instantly identifies with the image. You don’t need to
sound out the word “heart”, “love”, or “passion” in your head. Your brain has a
particular connection with the symbol (the shape, to be more specific). The
same thing is true of words, but since most people aren't taught this
principle, they never think about it. The truth is that your eyes word
independent of your ears, and your brain need only a fraction of a second to
register thoughts meaning.
Speed Reading Software
While reading from a book is more natural and comfortable to
most people, the best speed reading programs today come in the form of
software. More particularly, the best tools available today to help you become
a faster reader are online reading software.

The very best speed reading software that I know of is an
app available on the Google Chrome web browser. You can get the app directly
from the Chrome Web Store. The app is called Speed Reading Trainer, and is one
of the most used educational web app today. Great for young people and adults
alike. Highly recommended.
Get the Speed Reading Trainer Now
Finish more books, and get your homework done faster with the help of this amazing piece of software. Works on laptops, netbooks, desktops, on Windows, Mac, Linux, you name it. Any device that runs Google Chrome web browser supports the app. Get the app now or click the image below