Speed Reading Tips

In order to read and understand long English texts efficiently and correctly, it is important to use the appropriate reading techniques. In this article, we will explain the following four techniques and present examples and solutions for each.
1. Phrase reading
2. Scanning
3. Skimming
4. Paragraph reading

1. Phrase Reading
Phrase Reading is a technique of reading a text not word by word, but phrase by phrase.

“The development of renewable energy sources / has become a global priority / due to concerns about climate change.”

Separations:

• Instead of reading one word at a time, separate each word into clusters of meaning.
  • The development of renewable energy sources （再生可能エネルギーの開発）
  • has become a global priority.（世界的な優先事項となっている）
  • Due to concerns about climate change（気候変動への懸念のため）
• The meaning of each phrase will make it easier to grasp the meaning of the whole sentence.

Advantages of Phrase Reading:

• Improved reading speed
• Better understanding of sentence structure
• Natural flow of sentences

Supplement: Necessity of Speed Reading and Phrase Reading Practice

Necessity of Speed Reading
There are two main reasons why Speed Reading is necessary.

• To obtain more information in a shorter time
• To obtain more accurate information

At first glance, ① “to read quickly” and ② “to read accurately” seem to be contradictory. However, just because you read slowly does not mean that you can understand accurately. Rather than following words one by one, it is easier to read in “word chunk” to accurately grasp the overall meaning.

✖ Following words one by one
Climate 　change 　has 　become 　a 　serious 　global 　issue, 　affecting 　millions 　of 　people 　and 　causing 　extreme 　weather 　conditions 　such 　as hurricanes, 　droughts, 　and 　heatwaves. 　Many 　scientists 　believe 　that 　human 　activities, 　including 　the 　burning 　of 　fossil 　fuels 　and deforestation, 　are 　the 　main 　causes 　of 　this 　problem. 　Governments around 　the 　world 　have 　started 　to 　take 　action 　by 　implementing policies 　to 　reduce 　carbon 　emissions 　and 　promote 　renewable 　energy sources 　such 　as 　wind 　and 　solar 　power. 　However, 　individuals 　also need 　to 　contribute 　by 　using 　less 　plastic, 　conserving 　energy, 　and supporting 　eco-friendly 　products. 　If 　we 　work 　together, 　we 　can 　slow down 　global 　warming 　and 　protect 　our 　planet 　for 　future 　generations.

○ Read in”word chunk”
Climate change has become a serious global issue, // affecting millions of people / and causing extreme weather conditions / such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves. // Many scientists believe // that human activities, / including the burning of fossil fuels / and deforestation, / are the main causes of this problem. // Governments / around the world / have started to take action / by implementing policies / to reduce carbon emissions / and promote renewable energy sources / such as wind and solar power. // However, / individuals also need to contribute / by using less plastic, / conserving energy, / and supporting eco-friendly products. // If we work together, // we can slow down global warming / and protect our planet / for future generations.

How to Practice Speed Reading
Phrase reading is a method of reading with an awareness of “chunks of words. The following rules will help you read effectively.

1. Separate before the conjunction
   • In the case of English sentences with “conjunction + SV…, S’V’~”, separate them before the second S’.
2. Separate after a long subject
   • When a subject is immediately followed by a long modifying part, separate the main part and the predicate verb at large.
3. Separate before a preposition
   • Create a “word catapult” of “preposition + object
4. Create a “word chunk” of “verb + object
   • When a verb appears, make a “verb + object” chunk as soon as possible.
5. Separate before infinitives, participles, and related words
   • Make a chunk with the phrase or clause in mind. (An infinitive is a noun phrase, adjective phrase, or adverb phrase; a participle postmodifier is an adjective phrase; participle constructions are adverb clauses; and relational verbs are adjective clauses.)
6. Finding idiomatic expressions and phrases quickly
   • Learning idiomatic expressions and idioms in parallel with vocabulary is a prerequisite.

If you put the above into practice, you will be able to read the following.

2. Scanning
Scanning is a technique for quickly locating specific information (numbers, names, keywords). In long-answer questions on exams, it is useful when looking for answers to questions.

“The Great Wall of China stretches over 13,000 miles and was originally built to protect Chinese states from invasions.”

Question:
How long is the Great Wall of China?
Solution:

• Focus on “miles” and “numbers” to find information on “length”.
• We found the number 13,000 miles.
• Read the surrounding area and confirm that it is a description of “The Great Wall of China”.

Answer: 13,000 miles

Advantages of Scanning:

• Find specific information quickly
• Save examination time

3. Skimming
Skimming is a technique of skimming to quickly grasp the gist or subject matter of an entire text. The goal is not to read the details, but to understand the general content.

“The internet has transformed communication. people can now connect instantly through emails, social media, and messaging apps. while this has increased convenience, some experts warn about the negative effects, such as decreased face-to-face interactions.”

Question:
What is the main idea of the passage?
Solution:

• Read the first sentence ➡ “The internet has transformed communication.
• Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph in order to grasp what is being said about the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet.
• Summarize the main theme ➡ “The internet has transformed communication.”

Answer: The internet has transformed communication.

Advantages of skimming:

• Quickly grasp the general meaning of a text
• Useful when reading long sentences for the first time in exams

Supplement: Using the First Sentence of a Paragraph

In order to efficiently understand long sentences, reading the first and last sentences of each paragraph allows you to quickly grasp the overall gist of the text. However, this method is not always effective, so it is important to use it according to the situation.

4. Paragraph Reading
Paragraph Reading is a technique in which you read a paragraph at a time, grasping the main points of each paragraph. Paragraph reading is effective when you focus on the topic sentences in a paragraph.

“Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are becoming increasingly important. Governments worldwide are investing in these technologies to combat climate Governments worldwide are investing in these technologies to combat climate change.”

Subjects:

• Find the topic sentence ➡ First sentence “Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are becoming increasingly important.”
• Check for more information ➡ The benefits of renewable energy and government investment are discussed.
• Summarize the main points of the entire paragraph ➡ “The importance and benefits of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are becoming increasingly important.”

Answer: The importance and benefits of renewable energy.

Benefits of Paragraph Reading:

• Organize and understand the text by paragraphs
• Easier to understand the structure of longer sentences

Summary: Use of different techniques

1. Phrase Reading: Reading in chunks (smooth reading of entire long sentences)
2. Scanning: Looking for specific information (when finding numbers, names, data)
3. Skimming: Grasping the main idea of a text (when reading a long text for the first time)
4. Paragraph Reading: Organizing the main points of each paragraph (when understanding the structure of a long document)

By using these four techniques, you can improve the speed and accuracy of your English long-text reading comprehension.