Expert calls for changed habits to read faster<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The ability to read is taken for granted -- but
\nthere are many habits which should be changed for more effective,
\nfaster reading.<\/p>\n
Several deep ingrained habits must be changed to speed up
\nreading and comprehension, a librarian said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Mental pronunciation of words, or subvocalization, is the
\nhardest habit to change, Soedarso, who works at the Center for
\nStrategic and International Studies said.<\/p>\n
The habit is the main roadblock to rapid reading, even among
\nexperienced readers, Soedarso told an audience at the Jakarta
\nBook Fair 1996.<\/p>\n
Rapid reading, he pointed out, is one feature of many
\nhistorical figures.<\/p>\n
\"(Late U.S. President) John F. Kennedy could read as many as
\n1,000 words per minute,\" he told a seminar on rapid reading
\ntechniques.<\/p>\n
Indira Gandhi, India's late prime minister, was also a rapid
\nreader, he told more than 100 participants.<\/p>\n
A low rate is 125 words per minute, he said, which is the rate
\nof many people.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing when we read, is to get the points
\nof the text,\" Soedarso said at the Senayan indoor stadium in
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Written symbols, he said, must not be studied, or
\nsubvocalized.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a seminar on rapid reading techniques, he also
\ndisclosed other reading habits that could slow down reading.<\/p>\n
Other habits are vocalizing words, pointing words, moving lips
\nor head, regressing words in the text while reading.<\/p>\n
\"These habits, without our realization, could really slow down
\nour reading speed,\" Soedarso said.<\/p>\n
\"It takes speed nowadays to be able to cope well with our
\nenvironment,\" he added.<\/p>\n
American adults who have never been trained to read fast can
\nread the speed of 200 to 250 words per minute (wpm).<\/p>\n
Few could reach 325 to 350 wpm, and all of them with 70
\npercent comprehension, he said.<\/p>\n
\"After training, reading speed could be stepped up to 350 to
\n500 word per minute,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Seminar participants got a chance to try techniques to
\novercome roadblocks to rapid reading.<\/p>\n
Enthusiastic participants were found to have speeds of around
\n175 to 200 words per minute. One person could reach 300 wpm.<\/p>\n
Soedarso suggested participants to chew bubble gum, or put
\ntheir fingers to their lips while reading -- a technique aimed
\nto stop the reading aloud habit.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's seminar was a part of the programs featured during
\nthe Book Fair which will end next Sunday. (26)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expert-calls-for-changed-habits-to-read-faster-1447893297",
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