Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Speed of Reading

I went through a test to find out how fast I read which lead to a bigger insight into the way my brain works.

Casually, I read at 427 WPM on the screen and 569 WPM on paper with 91% comprehension.

Taking the reading efficiency calculation (WPM x comprehension%) I have an EWPM (Effective Words Per Minute) speed of 388/518 (screen/paper).

The average EWPM is 120/144, which is due to the fact the vast majority of readers are subvocalizing each word without realizing it.

What that means is when most people read, their eyes see the words, which the brain then takes in and sends down to the larynx that processes the word, which then registers with the brain what that word is.

It's 'subvocalization' because you're not actually saying the word out loud. Sometimes you can see people relax and their lips might move, a sound might escape, but for the majority of people they subvocalize without realizing it, and it's completely quiet (and holding them back!).

Fortunately for them (might be you!), a few minutes a day can kick them up to my level. That is, you practice daily by picking up a book and while you read it, out loud vocalize A-E-I-O-U or 1-2-3-4 slowly. This is an exercise that breaks that connection and makes you the next level up which is what I'm at.

That is the reason I write this, perhaps to help anyone with reading faster.

At my 388/518 EWPM I'm what is called an 'auditory reader' vs. the earlier example which was an 'oral reader.'

Being an 'auditory reader' means I see the words and I hear them in my head. This coupled with my stage training and imagination means getting past that speed would be difficult. As it stands, I hear the words like characters in a play or movie, and things play out in spoken-time as though you hit 'play' on a DVD.

The next level of reader is a 'visual reader' which can do 1000-1250 WPM which at the average comprehension level for that speed (85%) nets an EWPM average of 850-1063!

Readers of that level can tear through 'Catcher in the Rye' in about 10 minutes and fully comprehend 85% of it (average 'oral readers' only comprehend 60%).

For them, they see words and comprehend the picture as a whole. It's like putting in a DVD and hitting fast-forward where you get quick flashes of images. You can see what's going on, the whole picture. It makes sense.

For me, that won't be possible, most people involved in theatre are 'auditory readers' which combined with the high imaginations most in that field possess, enable them to read and act each word, each scene is drawn, and they can fit themselves in.

All of this I found interesting enough to share.