Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer A post-PR comparison with normal reading

Hi.

I had an experience yesterday which I'd like to share. For the record, I've been using PR since late September/early October. I replaced my normal study methods with PR immediately, and so haven't really done "normal reading" much, except for maybe once when I read a novel without photoreading it.

Yesterday, I had a book I intended to go through. Too lazy to PR it, I thought I'd just go into normal read. That's when I realised something totally stunning. When I normal read it, I realised how slow it felt. What's more, it made so much less sense, even though this was a subject I liked. Comprehension just seemed to plummet compared with my normal activation sessions. It wasn't that my reading skills had deteriorated. I could do what I used to do. But having gotten used to the blasting speed of PR, it was interminable! I just put the book down after awhile. I'll have to PR it, I guess.

This just verifies how much PR has sped my reading up, I suppose, and even though I knew it had, I was personally amazed. It explodes the myth that you "learn more" with normal reading. Also, it verified for me, personally, that the PR step does make a difference. That is the difference between just skimming and superreading - with superreading, it's all in there already.

KWLee

[This message has been edited by KWLee (edited November 30, 2002).]

Thanks for taking the time to share that with us!

Another thanks for sharing.

Did you find that you regular reading speed had improved, despite the fact that it still felt slow?

Hi

It did seem slow, but yes, I suppose there was an increase. Once you've gotten into the habit of superreading and dipping, you tend to look for what you want. Even with regular reading, I was inclined to notice that parts were simply filler and duly skipped those. The difference was the photoreading step, I think. Not having the information already in me made a big difference.

KWLee

[This message has been edited by KWLee (edited December 02, 2002).]

Hello All,
I too have noticed that my regular reading speed has dramatically increased. I prefer to regular read novels. What did it for me is having broken the annoying habit of subvocalizing.

"What did it for me is having broken the annoying habit of subvocalizing"

How did you do that? I used to not do that, but after having read out loud for my class for a few years, it has become an annoying habit and slows my reading.I´ve seen several good advices here about repeating a sound or hum a tune and so forth while reading, but I haven´t found the technique that works for me yet.

Thanks.

Saying the Letter A (or any letter from the alphabet) over and over again. Use only one letter since on their own they are meaningless. Just keep repeating it. It seems after about 30 minutes of doing this the habit of subvocalisation can be broken.

Counting and reciting the alphabet is less effective. The one letter said over and over is a meaningless sound. Try combining it with nature soundtracks like ocean or waterfall. They also reduce subvocalisation.

In all if you do all the photoreading steps it doesn't really matter if you subvocalise. I find that my reading speed has rocketed. As for the subvocalisation it's actually a habit I am not in a hurry to get rid of myself. Hearing the words said in my mind keeps them alive in my spoken vocabulary.

Alex

[This message has been edited by AlexK (edited December 02, 2002).]