Top 10 Speed Reading Comprehension Tips

by Magda Santos

1. Clarify your purpose.

A good understanding of what you already know and what you need out of the reading is the key to reading comprehension.

2. Look at the front book cover.

What information is the author giving you about the story? What does the title suggest? Why did she use this particular graphic on the cover?

3. Read familiar material.

When you first learn to Speed Read, use books and articles on subjects you have some familiarity with or subjects you have come across before but havent reviewed recently. Later on, you can challenge yourself with new material.

4. Make Predications.

Can you make any predictions about the story with the information youve already gathered?

5. What have the experts said about the book or author?

Look at the back cover. What are the comments being made by critics whove read the book? What other clues can you pick up?

6. Read the Table of Contents.

Its an outline of the book.

7. Make sure you review the glossary.

If there are any terms that are unfamiliar to you memorize them.

8. Read the Introduction or Preface.

It gives you a good idea of where the author wants to take you.

9. Preview the book to make sure its what you are looking for.

Scan the headings and subheadings.

10. Read the topic sentences.

Remember that the first and last sentences of a paragraph give you the essence of that paragraph, especially when reading non-fiction.

Magda Santos is an author, researcher, and learning specialist with over 24 years of experience teaching reading. FMI Visit http://speed-read-now.com and subscribe to a Free 5 Day Speed Reading Course.