Book Review: Speed ​​Reading by Tony Buzan

The book The Speed Reading Book: Read More, Learn More, Achieve More by Tony Buzan, first published in 1971, describes techniques to increase reading speed and comprehension.

Tony Buzan, an author focused on learning and creativity, is also the creator of the Mind Map technique.

The book is divided into the following five sections:

1. Reading Speed and Comprehension
2. Your Amazing Eyes
3. Super Concentration and Comprehension
4. Developing Advanced Reading Skills
5. The Path to Mastery in Reading

The book also includes many exercises and self-tests where readers can apply what they’ve learned to test both reading speed and comprehension.

Reader	Reading Speed (Words per Minute)	Comprehension
1. bad	10-100	30-50%
2. average	200-240	50-70%
3. good	400	70-80%
4. Top 1 in 100	800-1000	Over 80%
5. Top 1 in 1000	Over 1000	Over 80%

Example – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Roosevelt was one of the fastest readers, able to read entire paragraphs at a glance. He trained his reading speed by absorbing more words in a single fixation. Once he could read eight words per fixation, he began practicing reading two lines at a time. Then, he would scan lines in a zigzag pattern, reading short paragraphs in a single eye movement.

Example – Antonio di Marco Magliabechi

Magliabechi, born in Florence in 1633, learned to read at a young age in a bookstore. He then began combining his reading skills with memory techniques, allowing him to recall nearly everything he read. He further increased his reading speed, retaining more books in his memory. He could capture an entire page in one or two fixations.

When an author wanted to test his abilities, he gave Magliabechi a manuscript he couldn’t have seen before. Magliabechi read it quickly and returned it. Shortly after, the author asked him to write down everything he remembered. Magliabechi wrote the entire manuscript from memory, including every word and punctuation mark.

Eye Movement

To improve reading speed, start by training your eye movements. It’s especially important to avoid regression—going back to previously read sections that you believe you didn’t fully understand. Most often, you will understand these passages from the context if you continue reading, so going back only wastes time. If you still feel unsure, finish the paragraph first and then reread the necessary part.

Another method to read faster is to focus on groups of words rather than single words. The average reader fixates on each word individually, meaning ten fixations per line of ten words. If you capture two words per fixation, you double your reading speed, and this can be further increased by expanding the number of words per fixation.

You can also increase reading speed by shortening the duration of each fixation. For example, halving fixation time will double your reading speed.

Controlling eye movement is easier, and applying these techniques becomes simpler, if you use a reading aid like a pen or chopstick, guiding it along each line as you read.

Meta-Guides

Meta-guides help utilize peripheral vision more effectively, increasing reading speed. Practice these techniques by reading texts quickly without focusing on comprehension. Once accustomed to higher speeds, resume reading with normal comprehension.

The Two-Line Sweep

With this technique, read two lines at a time, guiding your reading aid under two lines before moving to the next set of two. This utilizes both horizontal and vertical vision.

Backward Sweep

The backward sweep doubles reading speed by moving your eyes back over the text instead of to the beginning of the next line. Reading backward works by absorbing several words per fixation, preserving word order.

The “S” Method

Guide your reading aid down the page in an “S” shape, capturing text both forwards and backwards.

The Zigzag Method

Move your reading aid diagonally down several lines, loop at the margin, reverse diagonally, and continue in a zigzag pattern down the page.

Vertical Wave Motion

Move your eyes in a wave-like motion down the center of the page to use as much of your peripheral vision as possible.

Dual-Handed Reading Aid

Use two reading aids, guiding them down each side of the text while reading the lines between. You could use a regular aid on one side and a finger on the other.

Skimming and Recognizing Paragraph Structures

Before reading a text, skim it to understand its content and structure. Meta-guides can help here. Then, write questions and comments in the margin, gather information about the author, and create a Mind Map of prior knowledge on the topic.

Types of Paragraphs

Recognizing paragraph types and structure improves skimming efficiency. Distinguish between explanatory, descriptive, and connective paragraphs.

• Explanatory Paragraphs explain a concept, with the main idea in the first sentence, details in the middle, and a summary in the last.
• Descriptive Paragraphs typically expand on previously introduced ideas, so they’re often less important during skimming.
• Connective Paragraphs serve to link sections, summarizing prior content or previewing upcoming information.

Pacing Drill Training Method

Use an easy-to-read text and reading aid to read with the greatest possible comprehension, primarily focusing on speed:

1. Read 100 words per minute (wpm) faster than your normal speed for one minute.
2. Increase by another 100 wpm.
3. Repeat this three more times.
4. Afterward, read for comprehension at the last speed.

Improving Comprehension

To improve comprehension, first increase concentration by taking breaks every 30-60 minutes. You’ll also understand more if you skim the text using techniques discussed earlier. Increase motivation and interest by setting specific goals and formulating questions for the text.

Adapt your reading speed to your goals and desired level of comprehension. Reading for comprehension is generally slower than reading for information.

Expanding your vocabulary also enhances comprehension. Focus on common prefixes, suffixes, and roots. For example, knowing that “pre-” means “before” helps decipher words like prefix, prehistoric, and preventive.

OMMST (Organic Mind-Map Study Technique)

The Organic Mind-Map Study Technique (OMMST) helps you study efficiently and retain more from your reading.

First, you need to review the reading material and create a mind map in which you record your prior knowledge on the relevant topic. You should also set goals that you would like to achieve by working on the material.

After this preparation, you can apply the technique in the following four steps:

• Overview: Skim the material to identify sections relevant to your goals.
• Review: Look closely at selected parts, marking key points.
• Summarize: Create a Mind Map summarizing the material.
• Verify: Complete your Mind Map, meet your goals, and resolve remaining questions.

Reading Newspapers

Before reading a newspaper, take a moment to clarify your purpose for doing so. Once you have a clear intention, skim through the newspaper and select the sections you want to read in more detail. As you read, jot down all important information and cut out any articles that might be of long-term interest or use to you.

Reading Magazines

When reading magazines, it’s helpful to focus initially on the beginning and the end of each article. The beginning usually presents a thesis and describes the article’s purpose, while the main body works to persuade the reader through arguments, examples, images, and other elements. At the end, the author typically summarizes the content.

To process all your magazines efficiently, consider starting a monthly “blitz attack” on them. Flip through each magazine, spending just one second per page, and tear out any pages that catch your interest. Then, organize these torn-out pages into appropriate categories and review them systematically.

Knowledge Base

A knowledge base collects essential information and summaries. Use a binder with dividers for each area of interest, and store summaries, notes, and relevant articles by category. This way, key information is always accessible.

Review your knowledge base monthly using speed-reading and the OMMST technique. Create Master Mind Maps summarizing each area and file them accordingly, ensuring essential information is readily available.