Speed reading - avoiding "sub-vocalization" of words in your mind.

[Systemic]

When I read, I usually vocalize the words I'm reading in my mind. Does anyone else do this?

I've heard that this is slow, and that retention can actually be retained, or even increased, by developing faster, more efficient ways of reading.

How can I break this habit? Is this really a bad thing?

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[rom73085]

I'm not sure what you mean by "sub vocalization." I think whatever method helps you find interest in the passage and keeping on top of what the author is saying is best. I've taken the LSAT a few years back my junior year of college and having practiced extensively for that I can say that there isn't just one way of doing well on verbal passages. More importantly than finding that unique technique that works for you is playing the time game. On the LSAT, there is more than one reading comprehension section and it comes down to playing a battle with the clock and pushing forward through a passage and the questions. I know for myself, I have a tough time with the clock because once I read the passage, it takes me a few moments to sit there and analyze the important pieces of each paragraph. In a way you can sort of anticipate what the questions will be.

Oh yeah, and if you want to speed up and strengthen your reading comprehension, READ! I can't stress it enough - pick up a book on a semi interesting topic to you and just read 15-30 minutes before bed. Does wonders!!

 

[fizzgig]

for me personally yes it is slower if i am 'reading aloud' in my own head. difficult to describe but there's a difference. when i read a book i don't 'hear' or 'pronounce' the words, and it makes it much faster than reading aloud. when i am confused or the content is tough i have to slow down and process much more deliberately, and yes then i do 'read aloud' silently, dumb as that phrase sounds.

whichever works for you best may not be what works for others best, so i don't think i'd say it's a bad thing necessarily. and i dont know how to consciously force skipping the subvocalization part if you do it naturally, because for me when i do subvocalize it is when i am putting more conscious effort into understanding something.

i agree with rom above though, the best way to train faster and more efficient reading is to read for reasonable amounts of time, regularly. i'd think material that is interesting but written at a reasonably high level would be best. maybe try to read relatively quickly but in a relaxed/low pressure way (vs timed, feeling like you HAVE to recall exact facts). get used to letting your brain synthesize as you go along. just my rambling thoughts.

 

[funklab]

when i read a book i don't 'hear' or 'pronounce' the words, and it makes it much faster than reading aloud.

Damn, this makes me feel stupid. I can't even really comprehend what it would be like to read without "hearing" the words in my head. Its like you've reached a higher plane of existence than me.

 

[NYR56]

I "pronounce" the words in my head when I read too and I have no idea how to avoid it. I simply don't remember anything if I don't. Even when I'm reading forum posts or casual magazines I do it. I'd love to hear how to avoid it though.

As far as the MCAT is concerned, you don't lose time reading the passages, you lose time staring at the questions. It is well worth your time to read the passage at a comfortable rate but push yourself when answering questions.

 

[Xinlitik]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subvocalization

There is no evidence that normal non-observable subvocalizing will negatively affect any reading process

Advocates of speed reading generally claim that subvocalization "places extra burden on the cognitive resources, thus, slowing the reading down." These claims are currently backed only by controversial, sometimes non-existent scientific research; in some cases, concepts are drawn from pseudoscience and urban myths about the brain.

Verdict: likely bull****.

 

[fizzgig]

ha, i wish it made me all smarter and whatnot. probably just some product of how i learned/what i read/amount i read at what point in life. everyone learns to do stuff differently i guess.

the wiki article, which is pretty brief and had a definite opinion, says:

"At the more powerful rates (memorizing, learning, and reading for comprehension), subvocalizing is very detectable by the reader. At the less powerful, faster rates of reading, (skimming, and scanning) subvocalization is less detectable. For competent readers, subvocalizing to some extent even at scanning rates is normal."

for anyone worrying about it keep that in mind. people who dont subvocalize much are likely to do it more when they're under pressure (time or needing to remember everything in the paragraph, or having trouble understanding it). i'll back that up anecdotally. and depending on how you personally process stuff, doing it even at quick but casual rates where you're not freaking out about details is normal, which others here back up.

so, if you dont subvoc then doing it is slower, but if you do subvoc then trying to not do it may cost you similarly. dont worry too much about it, read regularly to get in gear, and +1 to above whoever said that you're probably better off reading at your rate so you can answer the questions more easily vs skimming and having to reread later 3x...