Topic: I can't read (Read 4990 times)

BizB · « **on:** February 13, 2007, 09:11:23 PM »

Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration. I can't read well. I've always been a slow reader and I've always known that. I can remember being required to stand and read aloud in class (second/third grade?) and being completely embarrassed, humiliated and thoroughly disgusted with myself. I'm not dyslexic, but I do enjoy being ADHD (I consider it a benefit, not a disability.) Unfortunately, one of the down sides of being ADHD is that your eyes will dart around on the page. Because I'm planning on attending law school next fall, I decided to investigate speed reading and ways in which I could improve my reading skills.

In that effort, I found and took 4 or 5 different reading speed/comprehension tests. I found that my average reading rate was around 140 wpm. Your typical college educated adult reads 250-300 words per minute. I knew I was reading slow, but I didn't know I was reading THAT slow. I did find some programs online that describe the typical bad reading habits that most slow readers fall prey to. I fit most of them.

I "say" the words in my head.
I pause to focus my eyes on each individual word.
I reread the same sentences over and over.

Those are the biggies.

One of my Xmas gifts was a Border gift card. I used that card to go by "Break-Through Rapid Reading" by Peter Kump. I started last Monday with another reading test and then 2 more chapters of this book.
On Sunday, after having done 3 days worth of the exercises listed in those first two chapters, I began reading Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code. I read it on and off through the day. I'd guess that I spent about 4.5 to 5 hours reading. I finished the 309 page book that day.

Yes. I'm bragging.

I feel more confident in my reading skills than I ever have. That's one of the biggest aspects of learning to read faster... becoming more confident in your reading skills. Once you're sure you're not going to miss something, you feel more free to speed along. I've still only read the first 3 chapters, but I'm applying all of the lessons that I've learned so far every time I read something. That includes reading online. It's a whole different wold, now. I can only imagine what my life will be like once I've finished the other 33 chapters in this speed reading book.

By the way, the Artemis Fowl series is fun reading. I'd recommend them to anyone.

Agent_Tachyon · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2007, 09:19:34 PM »

Yeah they're pretty cool. That must really suck to be unable to read too well for so long, but good for you that you're getting so much better.

I've been able to read very quickly since I was very young but have and still have nearly no math ability whatsoever. I didn't learn the times tables until I was in grade six and still can hardly count backwards. I totally understand what you mean about not being able to do things that other people find simple.

Anyanka_was_framed · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2007, 09:32:07 PM »

Quote from: Agent_Tachyon on February 13, 2007, 09:19:34 PM

Yeah they're pretty cool. That must really suck to be unable to read too well for so long, but good for you that you're getting so much better.

I've been able to read very quickly since I was very young but have and still have nearly no math ability whatsoever. I didn't learn the times tables until I was in grade six and still can hardly count backwards. I totally understand what you mean about not being able to do things that other people find simple.

Story of my life. Simple addition throws me sometimes...but I could read on a 3rd grade reading level by age 5, and was reading on a college reading level by 5th grade...and then I plateaued, lol.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2007, 09:37:34 PM »

Quote from: Anyanka_was_framed on February 13, 2007, 09:32:07 PM

Story of my life. Simple addition throws me sometimes...but I could read on a 3rd grade reading level by age 5, and was reading on a college reading level by 5th grade...and then I plateaued, lol.

Ah. Allow me to utilize the very useful AOLer translator to put Agent_Tachyon's post into perspective for you then.

Quote from: Agent_Tachyon on February 13, 2007, 09:19:34 PM

YEAH THEIR PRATY COL!11111!! Weird Tingly Feeling TAHT MUST RILLY SUK 2 B UNABLA 2 READ 2 WEL FOR SO LONG BUT GOD FOR U TAHT UR GATNG SO MUCH BT3R!!!11! Weird Tingly Feeling LOL

IV3 BEN ABLE 2 R3AD VERY QUIKLEY SINC3 I WAS V3RY U BUT HAEV AND STIL HAEV NEARLEY NO MATH ABILITY WUT!!1!!! OMG LOL I DIDNT LEARN TEH TIEMS TABL3S UNTIL I WAS IN GRAED SIX AND STIL CAN HARDLEY COUNT BAKWARDS!!!1!! OMG I 2TALY UNDARSTAND WUT U MEAN ABOUT NOT BNG ABLA 2 DO THNGS TAHT OTH3R PEOPLE FIND SIMPLA!!1!! OMG

Anyanka_was_framed · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2007, 10:26:44 PM »

Quote from: Demosthenes on February 13, 2007, 09:37:34 PM

Ah. Allow me to utilize the very useful AOLer translator to put Agent_Tachyon's post into perspective for you then.

Luckily I put down the water bottle before I read this otherwise there would be water all over my screen, that is highlarious. Oddly enough, it's sort of how my friend talks...online and in RL.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2007, 10:28:33 PM »

That's how I have to communicate with some of my clients.

That, and years as a Hackernetwork.com moderator honed my AOLer/scriptkiddie language skills.

Nowledge · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2007, 10:37:32 PM »

Congratulations Biz, concerted self effort and happiness from results are two of my favourite things to try and especially to witness.

Socrates · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2007, 08:39:32 AM »

Good job Biz!

I had a boss who would speed read the entire Wall Street Journal every morning, I read pretty quick but that astounded me.

Nosferatu · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2007, 11:01:19 AM »

Quote from: BizB on February 13, 2007, 09:11:23 PM

I "say" the words in my head.
I pause to focus my eyes on each individual word.
I reread the same sentences over and over.

I do all of those... I've always known I'm not a fast reader, but I never thought about why.

'Course, the fact that I don't read very often contributes too, I've been reading Consider Phlebas (by Ian M. Banks) for a good few months now, got to the last few pages before the new year and still haven't finnished...

Still, I shall have to look into this spead reading book.

pbsaurus · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2007, 12:31:57 PM »

I'm a slow reader and I'm lazy. Oh and forgetful. So maybe I'll check out that book that you mentioned.

Prowlingtiger · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2007, 03:27:54 PM »

I know what you mean about your eyes jumping around. It's really bad when you start to read ahead in class and the teacher calls on you and since you're ahead of the teacher she thinks you're not paying attention.

My sister took debate in High School and during your opening arguments in debate your goal is to read as fast as you possibly can, mainly so that you can get as much information in as possible but also so that your opponents have trouble taking notes. So my sister can read out loud really, really fast.

I can vouch for the Artemis Fowl series as well, it's a great series and it's definately fun to read.

BizB · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2007, 03:54:40 PM »

Why can't anyone speel definitely? I mean, it's "de" on the front of "finite" plus "ly". How hard is that?

Sorry... pet peeve.

dcrog · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2007, 04:40:12 PM »

Quote from: BizB on February 19, 2007, 03:54:40 PM

Why can't anyone speel definitely? I mean, it's "de" on the front of "finite" plus "ly". How hard is that?

Sorry... pet peeve.

You just read slower so you catch stuff like that.

jeee · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2007, 04:43:13 PM »

Quote from: Demosthenes on February 13, 2007, 10:28:33 PM

That's how I have to communicate with some of my clients.

That, and years as a Hackernetwork.com moderator honed my AOLer/scriptkiddie language skills.

Nonsense, spelling and punctuation is what HN was famous for.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2007, 04:56:35 PM »

Quote from: jeee on February 19, 2007, 04:43:13 PM

Nonsense, spelling and punctuation is what HN was famous for.

I think that probably works better as Nonsense, spelling and punctuation are two things for which HN was famous.

ivan · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2007, 05:01:02 PM »

HN was famous?

BizB · « **Reply #16 on:** February 19, 2007, 05:03:46 PM »

Only because the victors write the history.

jeee · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2007, 05:22:47 PM »

Quote from: Demosthenes on February 19, 2007, 04:56:35 PM

I think that probably works better as Nonsense, spelling and punctuation are two things for which HN was famous.

Can I hide behind the fact that I am a foreigner ?

Leonidas · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2007, 05:33:27 PM »

Quote from: Demosthenes on February 19, 2007, 04:56:35 PM

I think that probably works better as Nonsense, spelling and punctuation are two things for which HN was famous.

Actually, I believe it's supposed to read Nonsense, spelling, and punctuation are three things for which HN was famous.

dcrog · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2007, 06:43:10 PM »

I believe the word should be infamous.

Demosthenes · « **Reply #20 on:** February 20, 2007, 09:57:18 AM »

Quote from: jeee on February 19, 2007, 05:22:47 PM

Can I hide behind the fact that I am a foreigner ?

That excuse always worked for Kryzec. Sure, why not!

Quote from: Leonidas on February 19, 2007, 05:33:27 PM

Actually, I believe it's supposed to read Nonsense, spelling, and punctuation are three things for which HN was famous.

Bwahahaha!

+1 for that. Missed you around here, man.

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Author Topic: I can't read (Read 4990 times)