PSQ5R speed reading > articles
PSQ5R speed reading technique
PSQ5R is a formula that stands for the basic steps in learning from reading in an
efficient manner. The P stands for Purpose, the S for Survey, the Q for Question, the 5 Rs
for Read Selectively, Recite, Reduce-record, Reflect, and Review (PSQ5R).
What is the purpose of reading
Why are you reading this article or chapter, and what do you want to get out of it?
When you have accomplished your purpose, stop reading. For instance, your purpose in
seeking a number in the telephone book is specific and clear, and once you find the
number, you stop "reading." Such "reading" is very rapid indeed,
perhaps 100,000 word a minute! Perhaps it should be called by its proper name,
"scanning", but when it suits your purpose, it is fast and efficient. This
principle, of first establishing your purpose, whether to get the Focus or Theme, or main
ideas, or main facts or figures, or evidence, arguments and examples, or relations, or
methods, can prompt you to use a reading method that gets what you want in the minimum
time.
Survey or skim the text
Glance over the main features of the piece, the lead
and summary paragraphs, look at the title, the headings, to find out what ideas,
to get an overview of the piece, problems
and questions are being discussed. In doing this you should find the Focus of the
piece that is, the central theme or subject, what it is all about; and perhaps the Perspective,
that is, the approach or manner in which the author treats the theme. This survey should
be carried out in no more than a minute or two.
Ask the question
Compose questions that you aim to answer:
What do I already know about this topic? - In other words, activate prior knowledge. Turn the first heading into a question, to which you will be seeking the answer when
you read. For example: "What were 'the effects of the Hundred Years'
War'?" - and you might add "on democracy, or on the economy"? Or "What
is 'the impact of unions on wages'?"
Read the text selectively
Read to find the answers to your question. By reading the first sentence of each
paragraph you may well get the answers. Sometimes the text will "list" the
answers by saying "The first point is ... Second point is..." and so on. And in
some cases you may have to read each paragraph carefully just to understand the next one,
and to find the Focus or main idea buried in it. In general, look for the ideas,
information, evidence, etc., that will meet your purpose.
Recite
Without looking at the book, recite the answers to the question, using your own words
as much as possible. If you cannot do it reasonably well, look over that section again.
Reduce and record
Make a brief outline of the question and your answers. The answers should be in key
words or phrases, not long sentences. For example, "Effects of 100 Yrs' War? -
consolidate Fr. King's power, Engl. off continent". Or, "Unions on Wages? -
Uncertain, maybe 10-15%".
Reflect the information
Recent work in cognitive psychology indicates that comprehension and retention are
increased when you "elaborate" new information. This is to reflect on it, to
turn it this way and that, to compare and make categories, to relate one part with
another, to connect it with your other knowledge and personal experience, and in general
to organize and reorganize it. This may be done in your mind's eye, and sometimes on
paper. Sometimes you will at this point elaborate the outline of step 6, and perhaps
reorganize it into a standard outline, a hierarchy, a table, a flow diagram, a map, or
even a "doodle." Then you go through the same process, steps 3 to 7, with the
next section, and so on.
Review the text
Survey your "reduced" notes of the paper or chapter to see them as a whole.
This may suggest some kind of overall organization that pulls it all together. Then
recite, using the questions or other cues as starters or stimuli for recall. This latter
kind of recitation can be carried out in a few minutes, and should be done every week or
two with important material.
About Magic Speed Reading software
Speed reading tips
|
Feature Highlights |
| > By using Speed reading software, you can improve
facilities of speed reading. You needn't practice special exercises; it
is just enough to read and periodical practice. Look at
free online speed reading trainings. All text
contain 50% of garbage. |
| > Remove 50% of letters
and you will read the text. Try to understand this simply idea and you speed
reading will up. Human mind read the words as china hieroglyph. You can
mix the letters and read the text. Try to
understand this simply idea and you speed reading will up. You can read the text
by groups of words. If you
strips the text you can also read the text. The
speed reading will by up if you wide the
span eyes. Use the full version of speed
reading software "Speed reading is
not magic". |
| > Habitually returning to what is already read, that
usually decreases the speed of reading, no longer happens. Reading each word
individually becomes unnecessary because skillful fast readers do not
individualize the text when reading at high speeds. |
| > You become accustomed to grasping a whole word or a
group of words at one glance. In this way you activate your peripheral vision
facilities. You study how to read without haste, because the program responds to
the speed you have chosen and does not react to your haste. The "Magic Speed
Reading" inclues 15 different computerized trainings. |
| > Speed reading is not magic :) |
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