I know my purpose inwardly but fail to put it into words
That's the problem. It just means you're hiding your purpose from yourself. It's the main problem we encounter.
As children we learned not to explain ourselves because we fear looking like idiots. We made mistakes but we had a reason for climbing a tree, swinging from a branch, poking holes in the walls, we wanted to see if we could do that. But the adults stood over us and asked why? Um... Yeah so they wouldn't "kill me" we usually answered I don't know because our purpose "to see if I can do it" doesn't seem so smart now that I'm standing here being told off.
So when asked why do you do that... I don't know is the automated response.
Believe me a concept or conceptual view of the dictionary is only abstract. Like trying to stick a pin in water. You can stick it anywhere and you'll have pinned the water.
So what type of words do you need to know to pass the exam? Where are they used?
Why cant I set shallow purpose of just being aware of the words and meanings in a dictionary?
The problem is you haven't actually set that as a purpose.
Which words do you need to know the meaning of? Think of the word put it in a sentence and check it in the dictionary. Activate the traditional way one uses a dictionary. How many words do you need to know to pass? Add that to your purpose.
Do you know the specific words you need to know? A separate list? If not get hold of old test, those used in previous years and check the words there. If you've already PhotoRead the dictionary a few times use the test as activation. Write the meanings of the words you know and then go to the dictionary and check your answers. Those you got right, add to your memory web, those you got wrong, you need to create a good meaningful memory for your memory web in preparation for your exam.
have failed to understand how do I activate any other book as well
That's because you haven't used the 5 day test yet have you? If you're learning on your own it's important to use the 5 day test on at least 5 200 page books before applying it to school work.
So, How will one be able to find what she wants in a thick book unless she knows all of it!
That my friend is the point. The conscious mind never knows what it knows or how much it knows. When you're proficient with PhotoReading you'll apply what you learned without knowing where you learned it and if you need the information consciously, you know which book to pick up.
One of the things PhotoReaders often find is when they ask a question, grab the book they open it exactly to the page. I once gave a demonstration asking a question about memory with the PhotoReading book and just showed my students how to open the book. I did not look at the page but one of my students noted it was about memory. It's a cool experience. That goes to show how well connected the body and mind really is. Yet exploring this with our conscious mind is like looking at the world through a paper tube.
But how do I add those thousands of words in the dictionary to my memory web!!? they arent going to get added automatically with photoreading! I will have to make thousands of associations consciously to attach them to what I already know!
They are in your memory. Use it or lose it. Just like remembering what you had for breakfast in December 18 2009. You don't remember it because it's not information you need at the tip of your tongue.
If you want to eat an elephant you take one bite at a time and memorise the meaning of 1000 words you need to create 100 or so pathway.
If I wanted to learn say 100 new words from a dictionary I'd be opening the dictionary and choosing a few each day to add to my memory web. And that need only take 5 minutes at a time. I wouldn't activate a dictionary with blocks longer than that.
Really how many of those terms do you need to know? Pick the ones relevant to the job you want to do, or relevant to the exam. Like I said, to know that look at previous exams. You won't need all of them since they won't be asking you to rewrite the book. But they will ask you the ones that were used during a section of a course or in the other study material.
You know what a dictionary is for? To look up words you don't know the meaning of when you're reading something else. If you PhotoRead it a few times you may not need to activate it at all. When you see words in financial reports they probably start making sense already.
Lets take it back first. Learn the system, learn to activate. Use the 5 day test on a couple of books not related to studying.
Reduce the number of questions, once you have 3 you have enough to start a conversation with the author.
Purpose. You don't actually need to tell us but don't be dishonest with yourself. No fancy words required. Just I'm reading this book so that I can pass the exam -- that's it in a nutshell. Then you look at the book and consider what can it tell you that will help you pass the exam? A dictionary? Might come in handy for understanding other text. SO that one I'm PhotoRead the dictionary so that I can understand the course material that I need to study better. Do I need to activate it? Only if there are words I encounter I don't understand. And perhaps words I see in the course material that might be used in the exam.
That's it PhotoRead the dictionary and then PhotoRead it again tomorrow (and again, again, again) and focus on the rest of the course. Look up words that elude you as you come across them. You activate the dictionary that way, as well as using the other text ad recognising you already understand the meaning without having to look it up.
Alternatively, you can use the activate the glossary first technique. Superread the words. Any you don't understand you dip do that a few times and you will build your vocabulary.
Alex
