The over witty notion of a fool who would gladly turn upside down the whole art of astronomy.

Martin Luther on Copernicus

Learning Lists for Science 2
How to Read Better and Faster

Abstract

This page is a checklist of ways of reading better and faster

Reading Problems
Better Reading
Faster Reading

Reading faster can be a big advantage, but you need to take it in

A. Reading Problems

Too slow
Can’t concentrate
Don’t remember.

B. Better Reading

Need for active reading: use POPQR³.
Look for main ideas—key sentence in each paragraph:
- first sentence
- last sentence
- sometimes none, eg novels, general description.
Look for important details:
- clarification, examples, evidence, proofs
- at least one to each main idea
- study all the illustrations, graphs, diagrams, etc.
  - ideas/evidence not mentioned in text
  - teach better than words—replace words
  - aid understanding
  - visual—help memory.
Guidance to main ideas/details:
- visual signposts
  - italics, bold type, underlines
  - numbering and lettering.
- verbal signposts
  - link words/phrases eg for instance, however.
Evaluate text:
- Be skeptical:
  - are facts correct?
  - are facts and opinions distingushed?
  - any limitations?
  - any exceptions?
  - any contradictions?
  - any counter arguments?
  - does conclusion follow from evidence?
  - any equally valid conclusions?
  - do you agree with the argument?
- Is it useful?
  - can you apply it?
  - does it tie in with experience?
  - any useful analogies?
don’t ignore difficulties even if you skip them at first reading:
- Why not?
  - undermines confidence
  - hinders further learning
- Work on it:
  - read again
  - refer to other books
  - discuss with colleagues
  - make a note to ask tutor.

C. Faster Reading

Faster reading improves comprehension.
Five basic steps:
- do you need specs?
- stop saying words mentally
- force yourself to read faster
  - broaden recognition span
  - reduce fixations
  - don’t look back
  - read twice at speed not once slowly.
- read in thought-units—related words
- improve vocabulary
  - read widely
  - look up new words
  - note their meaning
  - use them as soon as possible
  - make a glossary of technical words.
Practice
- 15-20 minutes each night
- start on light, short, magazine articles
- time yourself—find words per minute
- check, comprehension—recall main ideas
- keep progress chart
- read all study material faster—but vary pace:
  - faster for light material
  - faster in seeking main ideas
  - slower for complex arguments
  - slower in seeking details.

Reference

D Rowntree, How to Study, chapter 5

Last uploaded: 05 October, 2008.

Interact

Click and copy the address of this page from your browser’s address bar and safely send it to a friend using email the web.
Considered contributions, criticisms and discussion can be made privately via email [†]
Publication Policy. Interesting general contributions will be listed anonymously, unless the contributor is happy to be named, in the discussion—E-pistle—pages of this website, or if specific to a particular article, on the same webpage, as an addendum to the article.
. E-mail a Comment.
Or, use the AskWhy! Whiteboard, password: “newinaskwhy”

Other Websites or Blogs

God’s Own Summary of the Bible—Magi Mike’s Blog
I explain here in a criticism of a book by F S Collins: “We will see that Christ gave two answers when asked for the most important commandment, and the reason is that the two… ”
Magi Mike’s Blog—http://mikemagee.wordpress.com/.
AskWhy! Blogger at Blogspot.

Short Responses and Suggestions

New. No comments posted here yet. Be the first one!

Before you go, think about this…

When people have never properly been taught to distinguish good and evil and so commit glaring atrocities, they cannot be more guilty than those who commit atrocities while knowing the difference between right and wrong. Men who commit atrocities knowing they are wrong are the more guilty. If Christians claim the apex of moral behaviour, then Christian leaders must be judged on their own high morality. Bush and Blair have not only demeaned and besmirched the high values Christians claim for themselves, they must be judged guilty by them.