Findings indicate that, when skimming, readers find it difficult to perceptually select from a passage information that is relevant to their goal in skimming. There was a reaction time advantage for verification of gist-relevant information as opposed to details, which tended to increase with reading rate. (Author/PN)

Questions the validity of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test to measure growth in a rapid reading course for adults. (AEA)

An overview of significant research studies, bibliographies, historical reviews, definitions, and commentaries on speed reading during the past 60 years is presented in this paper. The first part of the paper considers the concept and definitions of speed reading, and summarizes research from the l940s and 1950s--including discussion of eye…

The article defines the major elements (fundamental questions, basic assumptions, anticipated costs, projected savings, and return on investment) of a cost model, discusses the function and importance of each of these elements, and illustrates the development and construction of a cost model through an analysis of a hypothetical speed reading…

The rationale and techniques for developing skimming and scanning skills with college students are discussed, and it is noted that perfecting these skills involves changing some basic attitudes towards reading such as the ideas that one needs to read every word and that increasing speed decreases comprehension. Lengthy passages in regular college…

Speed reading is an issue of how fast a person can comprehend rather than how fast he can read. Research and experience have shown that speed reading can be taught and that the need for the skill is tremendous. The first challenge of the 70's is to enlighten school administrators and parents to the important need of teaching speed reading skills.…

Teaching skimming techniques in a college compensatory reading course helped students gain in both speed and comprehension skills. (MKM)

After analyzing 40 speed reading texts, a study concluded that in order for these books to accurately reflect the empirical reading research they should recognize the upper limits of genuine reading (300 to 600 wpm) and limit the recommended area of eye fixation to three or fewer words. (SRT)

How successful are speed reading courses for adults? Author, who teaches speed reading and improvement of reading comprehension, backs up his assertion of their effectiveness with test result tables showing businessmen in particular benefit from such training. (PD)

Part of a section, "4 Reading Techniques that Work.

In this study, we describe the development of rapid reading measures, sentences presented to students in a nearly subliminal manner, with a literal comprehension question asked following their removal. After administering alternate forms of these measures to students, we present the results from three statistical analyses to ascertain their…

This book contains 50 timed reading selections designed to increase reading speed and comprehension for readers at the ninth grade level. Other books in the series cover grades 4-13. A brief introduction outlines steps students should follow to increase their speed and comprehension. After each selection the book offers 10 questions designed to…

A study was devised to determine whether internal reading flexibility would be manifested by individual proficient readers, operating in the "rauding" mode (typical reading manner), and observed in a natural setting reading passages from textbook materials. Reading times were examined using both number of standard words and number of…