Speed Reading

The Extraordinary Reader -by Clive Lewis and Anthony Landale

Just completed reading this book that explains how the brain functions and how to apply this knowledge to be able to read faster, understand better and remember more. It is very well written, and with only 95 pages, its easy to read and refer to. Plenty of exercises and clear tips - if I practice the recommendations of this book, I should have tripled my reading speed (currently 240 words per min) in three weeks!

Buy the book at Illumine Website for £10 plus £1.50 postage.









Some useful tips I picked up from the book:

• The "limbic brain" - is the emotional part of the brain, and when we are able to engage this in learning, our internal settings switch to 'high priority' - the impact being to significantly improve our ability to retain information.
• How to form a habit - neural pathways for each time you do something - and the more you do it, the stronger the pathway gets (think of driving a car). You eventually get to a stage where it is automatic, i.e. it becomes a habit.
• To install a new behaviour you need: Commitment, Repetition of the action and Emotional Intensity.
• The importance of resting and taking breaks whilst studying to optimise recall - every 25 - 45 minutes
• Effective reading -starts with assessment of the document, rapid pre-read (10 mins max), drawing a Mind Map and then skimming.
• Importance of Mind Maps and how the brain works (free video information on mind maps)
• Techniques for establishing a higher base speed: Bouncing, Grouping, Momentum and Guides.
• Motivation and mental attitudes for reading as well as advanced techniques such as peripheral reading.