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How to speed read is a question most of us have asked ourselves, especially when faced with a large amount to read.

There are several methods of speed reading.  Here are 10 simple tips on how to speed read:

• Start with books that have large fonts. When you start speed reading, you should choose books with larger fonts; if you are reading eBooks, then customize your font to 14pt or 16pt. The reason is that the eyes follow larger print more easily than smaller print and you reduce the habit of skipping lines.
• Read books or articles that you have read before. You already have a general idea about the contents and the ideas presented, so it will be easier for you to follow the text and practice skipping non-essential words.
• Use your hand, finger, or a pencil, when reading; and move your pacer device more quickly than your normal eye reading speed. This will stimulate your eyes and you will get used to reading at a faster pace.
• Take breaks. You should not strain your eyes too much; a short five minute break every 30 minutes of reading will help you improve your reading speed as well as your comprehension.
• Think about what you read. There are different reading speeds for different genres. For example, essays can often be read faster because you need only understand the main ideas. By contrast, poetical works, where words and language hold a certain beauty, are better savored than rushed.
• Make a reading card. Cut into a slim board of carton a gap of 1 to 10 lines of the book you are reading. By obscuring the other lines, your concentration level and reading speed will increase because you will perceive the text differently and you will start seeing the text as groups of words (rather than as individual words). And if you want to improve your 2-3 word perception span, you can make a card with exactly the desired width, which you can move along the lines.
• Read for at least 10 minutes a day, be it the daily paper, an article, or a chapter of a book.
• Balance the speed of your reading with your comprehension. You need to understand the text you read and not merely read words mechanically. If you notice that your comprehension level drops, then you should lower your reading speed.
• Sleep well. A good night’s sleep clears your mind, improves your concentration levels, and helps your eyesight.
• Use speed-reading software. The fastest speed reading method is via speed reading software. But make sure you choose good speed reading software, such as the popular 7-Speed Reading program.

So, if you are wondering how to speed read, try practicing the above tips and monitor your progress.