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| 1.2 - Reasons for Slow Reading Speed | |||||||||
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Reason # 1: Sub-Vocalization (pronouncing each word as you read) In grade school, we were taught to read each word aloud; eventually, we began to read silently to ourselves (without moving our lips, hopefully). However, pronouncing each word as we read is not very efficient. Reason # 2: Reading Without A Plan (i.e. "Passive Reading") If you had to drive 800 miles to a new destination, and you didn't have a roadmap, what would happen? You would likely make several wrong turns, become very frustrated and waste a lot of time. When you attempt to read a long chapter without having a reading plan (or reading roadmap), you will definitely waste time reading material you don't need, and you will likely find it difficult to remain focused. Lack of focus on the reading material will cause excessive daydreaming and re-reading. Reason # 3: Poorly Written It is surprising how many writers get paid for throwing together information without any concern for readability. Textbook writers often get published because they are experts in their field, which gives their book credibility. But that doesn't always mean these writers actually know how to communicate their message effectively. As a result, the disjointed sentences and paragraphs can make it difficult for us to stay focused; in effect, we tend to "tune out" if we cannot find any logical coordination of ideas within the material. As a result, we re-read the same sentences over and over again - which always adds extra time to our reading assignments. Reason # 4: Boring Let's face it, some reading material is just boring. It may be the material covers a subject that is not very interesting to us, or the writer's style is simply slow and mechanical. If you don't give your brain a reason to get excited about the information it will be difficult to remain focused. Lack of focus on the reading material will cause excessive daydreaming and re-reading.
"Information Overload" occurs when our current reading speed (and organizational skills) can not keep pace with the amount of information that needs to be learned. When we experience "Information Overload", we tend to approach new reading material with the attitude "Oh, this is impossible, I'll never be able to…" or "I can't believe I also have to…" In other words, we feel as though we don't have any control over the situation - which always results in negative stress (which limits our higher level thinking ability - and efficiency).
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