The Secrets of Speed Reading Revealed by Norman Lewis
How to Read Better and Faster by Norman Lewis: A Book Review
Do you want to improve your reading skills and get more out of the written word? Do you want to save time and increase your productivity by reading faster and retaining more information? If you answered yes to these questions, then you might want to check out How to Read Better and Faster by Norman Lewis, a classic book that teaches reading techniques to its readers - techniques that can help them increase their reading speed and retention.
How To Read Better And Faster By Norman Lewis Ebook 159
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This book review will give you an overview of what the book is about, who the author is, what the main idea of the book is, how the book is structured, what the benefits and drawbacks of reading better and faster are, and whether the book is worth reading or not. By the end of this review, you will have a better idea of whether this book is for you or not.
The author: Who is Norman Lewis and what are his credentials?
Norman Lewis was an English language expert, lexicographer, grammarian, author, and teacher. He was born in New York City in 1912 and graduated from Columbia University in 1934. He taught English at New York University for over three decades and wrote several books on English language, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, and reading. Some of his most popular books include Word Power Made Easy, 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary, Better English, Correct Spelling Made Easy, Speak Better Write Better, and of course, How to Read Better and Faster.
Lewis was considered one of the foremost authorities on English language and his books have been used by millions of students, teachers, professionals, and general readers around the world. He died in 2006 at the age of 93.
The main idea: What is the core concept of the book and how does it help readers improve their reading skills?
The main idea of How to Read Better and Faster is that reading is a skill that can be learned, improved, and mastered with practice and proper guidance. Lewis argues that most people read inefficiently because they have not been taught how to read effectively. They read word by word, they regress (go back over what they have read), they vocalize (subvocalize or move their lips while reading), they lose concentration, they have poor comprehension, they have limited vocabulary, they have slow eye movements, they have low retention, and they have no purpose or interest in what they read.
Lewis claims that these habits can be overcome by applying certain techniques that he teaches in his book. These techniques include:
Increasing your eye span (the number of words you can see at a glance) by using a pointer (a finger or a pen) to guide your eyes along the lines and by avoiding fixating on each word.
Increasing your reading speed by eliminating regression, vocalization, and unnecessary pauses, and by adjusting your speed according to the difficulty and importance of the material.
Increasing your comprehension by expanding your vocabulary, by using context clues, by skimming and scanning for main ideas and details, by making predictions and inferences, by summarizing and paraphrasing, by asking questions and answering them, by evaluating and analyzing, and by applying what you read to your own life and experiences.
Increasing your retention by reviewing what you read, by using mnemonics (memory aids), by making notes and outlines, by organizing and categorizing information, by associating and relating ideas, by visualizing and imagining, and by rehearsing and reciting.
Increasing your interest and motivation by choosing materials that suit your purpose, level, and preference, by setting goals and rewards, by reading with curiosity and enthusiasm, by challenging yourself and competing with yourself or others, and by joining a reading group or club.
Lewis assures his readers that by following these techniques consistently and diligently, they will be able to read better and faster than ever before. He provides exercises, tests, charts, graphs, tables, examples, anecdotes, quotations, tips, tricks, and advice throughout the book to help his readers practice and measure their progress.
The structure: How is the book organized and what are the main topics covered?
The book is divided into four parts:
Part One: The Mechanics of Reading. This part covers the basics of reading such as eye movements, speed, comprehension, vocabulary, etc. It also introduces the pointer technique and the speed tests.
Part Two: The Development of Skills. This part covers the advanced aspects of reading such as skimming, scanning, summarizing, analyzing, evaluating, etc. It also introduces the comprehension tests and the vocabulary tests.
Part Three: Reading in Special Fields. This part covers the specific types of reading such as newspapers, magazines, textbooks, fiction, poetry, drama, etc. It also introduces the special reading tests for each type of material.
Part Four: The Enjoyment of Reading. This part covers the personal and social benefits of reading such as pleasure, knowledge, culture, communication, etc. It also introduces the reading lists and the reading clubs.
The book has 37 chapters in total. Each chapter has a title that summarizes its main topic. Each chapter also has a summary at the end that reviews its main points. The book has a preface that explains its purpose and scope. The book has an appendix that contains additional exercises and tests. The book has an index that lists the key words and concepts in alphabetical order.
The benefits: What are the advantages of reading better and faster and how can readers apply the techniques in the book?
The benefits of reading better and faster are numerous and varied. Some of them are:
Reading better and faster can save you time. You can read more in less time. You can finish your assignments faster. You can meet your deadlines easier. You can have more free time for other activities.
Reading better and faster can increase your productivity. You can learn more in less time. You can acquire more knowledge and skills. You can improve your performance at work or school. You can achieve your goals faster.
Reading better and faster can enhance your comprehension. You can understand more in less time. You can grasp the main ideas and details better. You can remember more of what you read. You can apply what you read to your own situations.
Reading better and faster can expand your vocabulary. You can learn more words in less time. You can improve your spelling and pronunciation. You can express yourself better in writing or speaking. You can communicate more effectively with others.
Reading better and faster can boost your confidence. You can feel more competent and capable as a reader. You can overcome your fears and doubts about reading. You can challenge yourself with more difficult materials. You can impress others with your reading skills.
Reading better and faster can enrich your life. You can enjoy more in less time. You can discover new worlds and perspectives through reading. You can develop your imagination and creativity. You can cultivate your interests and passions.
The drawbacks: What are the limitations or challenges of reading better and faster and how can readers overcome them?
Reading better and faster is not without its drawbacks or challenges. Some of them are:
Reading better and faster can cause eye strain and fatigue. Reading for long periods of time without taking breaks can tire your eyes and make them dry, red, or irritated. Reading on screens can also cause glare, flicker, or blue light that can harm your eyesight.
Reading better and faster can reduce your enjoyment and appreciation of the text. Reading too quickly can make you miss out on the beauty, subtlety, or humor of the language. Reading too superficially can make you lose the depth, complexity, or emotion of the message.
Reading better and faster can impair your critical thinking and creativity. Reading too fast can make you accept everything you read without questioning, analyzing, or evaluating it. Reading too narrowly can make you ignore alternative perspectives, interpretations, or implications.
Reading better and faster can interfere with your memory and recall. Reading too much can overload your brain with information that you cannot process or store effectively. Reading too selectively can make you forget important details or connections that you need to remember later.
To overcome these drawbacks or challenges, readers need to balance their reading speed with their reading purpose and preference. They need to take breaks from reading to rest their eyes and refresh their mind. They need to vary their reading pace and style according to the type and difficulty of the text. They need to engage with the text actively and creatively by asking questions, making comments, drawing diagrams, etc. They need to review and reinforce what they read by using memory techniques such as repetition, association, visualization, etc.
The verdict: Is the book worth reading and who is it suitable for?
How to Read Better and Faster is a book that can help anyone who wants to improve their reading skills and get more out of the written word. It is suitable for students who want to ace their exams, professionals who want to advance their careers, or general readers who want to enrich their lives. It is also suitable for people who struggle with reading due to dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning difficulties.
The book is worth reading because it provides practical and proven techniques that can help readers increase their reading speed and comprehension. It also provides exercises and tests that can help readers practice and measure their progress. It also provides tips and advice that can help readers develop a positive attitude and a lifelong habit of reading.
The book is not perfect, however. It is quite old (first published in 1951) and some of its examples and references may be outdated or irrelevant for modern readers. It is also quite long (over 400 pages) and some of its chapters may be repetitive or boring for some readers. It is also not a magic bullet that can transform anyone into a super reader overnight. It requires dedication, discipline, and patience from the reader to apply the techniques consistently and effectively.
Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a call to action for readers to get the book.
poetry, drama, etc. It also covers the personal and social benefits of reading such as pleasure, knowledge, culture, communication, etc.
FAQs: Five frequently asked questions about the book and their answers.
Here are some of the common questions that readers may have about the book and their answers:
Q: How can I get a copy of the book?
A: The book is available in paperback and ebook formats from various online and offline retailers. You can also borrow it from a library or a friend. You can also download a PDF version of the book for free from some websites (but be careful of the legality and quality of such sources).
Q: How long does it take to read the book?
A: The book has 432 pages and an average reading speed of 250 wpm would take about 28 hours to finish it. However, your reading speed may vary depending on your level, interest, and purpose. You may also want to spend more time on some chapters than others depending on your needs and goals.
Q: Do I need to read the book in order or can I skip some chapters?
A: The book is designed to be read in order as each chapter builds on the previous one. However, you can also skip some chapters if you are already familiar with the topic or if you are not interested in it. You can also use the index to find specific topics or concepts that you want to learn more about.
Q: How can I practice the techniques in the book?
A: The book provides plenty of exercises and tests at the end of each chapter that you can use to practice and measure your progress. You can also use any reading material that you have access to such as books, magazines, newspapers, websites, etc. You can also join a reading group or club where you can share your experiences and learn from others.
Q: How can I maintain my reading skills after finishing the book?
A: The key to maintaining your reading skills is to keep reading regularly and widely. You can also review the book from time to time to refresh your memory and reinforce your techniques. You can also challenge yourself with more difficult or unfamiliar materials or genres. You can also seek feedback from others or use online tools or apps to track your reading speed and comprehension.
This is the end of my article on How to Read Better and Faster by Norman Lewis. I hope you found it informative and helpful. If you want to learn more about this book or other books by Norman Lewis, you can visit his website at www.normanlewis.com. Thank you for reading! 71b2f0854b