10 Days to Faster Reading, Day 5

This is part five of my time with 10 Days to Faster Reading, a book on the Personal MBA Quick Start reading list. To read all posts related to this book, see 10 Days to Faster Reading on JustAJot.

Day 5, Reading the Road Map

A terrific way to get through reading material faster is by not reading it. Seriously. Preview it. (Deliberately skim it.)

Previewing material accomplishes three important tasks that will enhance your learning abilities. One, it can help you decide whether or not the material is even worth your time to read in detail. Two, it gives you the chance to further establish a purpose which leads to deeper learning. And three, it gives you background knowledge for the detailed read, again making the material easier to learn. This whole process also serves as an introduction and review for the material.

Non-fiction writing follows an outline. Knowing the structure of non-fiction writing allows you to preview more effectively. Abby Marks-Beale’s detailed description of the outline of non-fiction writing serves as a great reference for previewing. With this information close by, you can learn how to preview practically any non-fiction writing efficiently and effectively.

The tool of the day is referred to as the “pull down center.” Using your index finger in the center of a page, pull your finger down the text while reading the line above. Make sure your finger is moved at a continuous pace. This works best on a flat surface with narrow-columned material.

Tips (“it is no secret that your ability to efficiently read and learn is easier when you are well rested, relaxed, and feeling well”):

• sleep — adults, between eight and nine hours of sleep
• exercise — make your brain more alert by oxygenating the blood
• brain food — rich with protein, avoid breads, pretzels, and pasta
• reduce stress — feeling overwhelmed? prioritize

Thoughts

I believe that’s it for this chapter. More than anything, it serves as a good reference for the outline of non-fiction writing. This is something that will help me while practicing pre-viewing other material I’m currently studying. As for the tools thus far, they aren’t anything groundbreaking. I’m surprised more people don’t use them naturally. Though, I do happen to like the index card method discussed in chapter one. The idea of blocking material you’ve already read as a way to prevent regression is very nice.