Speed reading

Step 3

USING A POINTER

 

 

What you will achieve

 

After you have completed this step, you will have virtually eliminated the problem of 

regression. This step describes a simple and obvious method to eliminate regression. There 

are a few variants described, but the central theme is to use a pointer to guide your eyes along 

the lines of text. The term “focus” appears in various places in the following text. In this 

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context, it simply means the word that your eyes are focused on while reading.

 

Leading your focus (Pencil pointer)

 

As a first attempt at leading your focus, use a pencil as a guide while you read. To avoid 

marking the page you may want to use the eraser end of the pencil. You may choose to use a 

ball point pen or any other similar shaped object.

 

Exercise 3-1

Open your practice book to its first page. Your objective here is to read the next two pages 

using the pencil as a pointing tool. As you read, simply glide the pencil just below the word 

you are reading. Read at your normal pace. When you reach the end of the line move your 

pencil to the start of the next line, again at your normal pace.

 

After the above exercise, take a short break. This allows your eyes to rest. After the break, 

read the next three pages of your practice book using the pencil pointer again.