Reading a text quickly is not productive unless the information is
being retained efficiently.
Reading quickly with retention assumes you have previewed the material,
defined what you need to learn, and then make a conscious attempt to put
that information into long term memory.
Without a systematic review process built in to the reading system,
the result is both frustrating for the reader and inefficient, as the graph
below demonstrates.
* Notice the rate the "Without
Review" drops off compared to "With
Review" over increasing time periods. *
The trick is to manage the reading process to optimize speed while
providing a framework for systematic review.
- First preview the selection and make note of the main idea and
map out the important concepts.
- Set a purpose for reading and pace through the article quickly
to answer the questions you set mentally.
- Add detail to your concept map and return to relevant sections
of the text at slower reading speeds to complete the concept map.
- Use the learning strategy on the next page to retain the information
over the long term.
