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Regent University

Student Services
Center for Student Development

Speed Reading: Daily Progress Chart

Date Practice Rate Reading Rate Estimated % Time


(words/minute) (words/minute) Comprehension Practiced

Speed Reading Workshop - 1


Regent University
Student Services
Center for Student Development

Building Vocabulary with Prefixes and Suffixes

Prefix Meaning Example Suffix Meaning Example


Un- Not Unreliable -less Without Hopeless
Ab- Away from Abnormal -y Inclined Sleepy
Di- To Separate Divide -ar, -er,-or One who Actor, painter
Re- Back Recall -ness State of Carelessness
Ex- Out of Exclude -able To do Capable
Pro- In favor of promote -acy State of Accuracy
Im- Not Immature -age State of breakage
Ad- Toward Advertise -arium Place for Aquarium
Bi- Two Bicycle -ary Place for Dictionary
Pre- Before Preschool -hood State of Childhood
Dis- Take away dispose -tude State of attitude
Hypo- Under Hypodermic -cule Very small Molecule
Macro- Large Macrocosm -ist One who Terror
Fin- End Finish -oid Resemble Tabloid
Auto- Self Automatic -meter Measure thermometer
Arch- Chief Archbishop -ade Result of Decade
Bene- Good Benefit -ize To make Publicize
Com- Together Companion -ion Condition of Persuasion
Contra- Against Contradict -ic Of, relating to Historic
Hemi- Half Hemisphere -ine A compound Chlorine
il- Not Illogical -ment Result of Resentment
Inter- Between Interstate -al Relating to Sensual
Out- Beyond Outstanding -ful Full of Graceful
Para- Beyond Paranormal -fy, ify Make Satisfy
Post- After Postdate -cise To cut Precise
Sub- Under Submarine -sis Condition of hypnosis
Tele- Far Telescope
Eu- Pleasant Eulogy
Hyper- Over Hyperactive
De- Away Defend
Trans- Across Transaction
En- Into enroll
Mal- Evil malevolent
Intra- Amongst intramural

Speed Reading Workshop - 2


Regent University
Student Services
Center for Student Development

BUSINESS MAIL
More than most types of reading, business mail and correspondence
require the related skills of discrimination and flexibility. Unless you
master these skills, you may find yourself playing a never-ending
game of catch-up. Here are some tips to effectively handle incoming
mail and correspondence:

1. Separate mail from know individuals or companies (A MAIL)


from those you do not recognize (B MAIL).
2. Prioritize your A MAIL in order of importance and urgency.
3. For each piece of mail do the following:
a. Read the first paragraph or two.
b. Quickly pre-read the body of the letter.

c. Read the last couple of paragraphs.


d. One the basis of the above information either read for
more detail, discard, or delegate. Discipline yourself to
make a decision the first time that you handle each
piece of mail.

4. After finishing A MAIL, move on to your B MAIL. Pre-reading is


even more important when sorting through unsolicited mail.
You can waste much of your day if you do not extract the intent
of each letter quickly. Generally about 20% of your B MAIL is
of any importance or interest, but that is still significant in regard
to potential business opportunities. A quick, effective pre-read,
as described in Step 3, will allow you to evaluate your B MAIL
in a minimal amount of time.

Speed Reading Workshop - 3


Regent University
Student Services
Center for Student Development

Speed Reading: Structure of Well-Written Material

Academic Material
The five-paragraph essay is used in writing classes to teach concise writing. Thus, it
provides an excellent model to understand the way chapters in larger academic works are
often organized.

Introductory Paragraph
ƒ Starts with something to motivate you to read on.
ƒ Includes a thesis sentence, stating the main point of the essay. This sentence may
include a “map” of the main thoughts that will be developed to support the essay
thesis.

First Body Paragraph


ƒ Usually starts with a topic sentence (one of the thoughts from the “map”).
ƒ Is followed by statements and information that prove or reinforce the topic
sentence.

Second, Third, and Fourth Paragraphs


ƒ Contain topic sentences (related to the other thoughts from the “map”) near the
beginning.
ƒ Topic sentences are followed by supporting information.

Fifth Paragraph
ƒ Iterates the thesis.
ƒ Concludes.

For an excellent example, see http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/essay/conclusion.html.

Book chapters and sections within chapters are often variations on this theme.
ƒ The first one or two paragraphs usually tell you the main ideas that will be developed.
Read these carefully.
ƒ Subsequent paragraphs often state, within the first two sentences, the idea each will
be developing. Read on as far as you need, in order to understand the author’s
viewpoint and argument.
ƒ Concluding paragraphs usually recap the overall theme.

News Articles
ƒ First paragraph contains the key points.
ƒ Subsequent paragraphs add additional details.

Opinion Articles
ƒ Introduction and summary usually encapsulate core ideas.
ƒ Body paragraphs develop the author’s point of view, usually with examples.

Speed Reading Workshop - 4


Regent University
Student Services
Center for Student Development

1-Hour Speed Reading Exercise Plan

Tips:
ƒ If you are stressed, or the assignment looms larger in your mind than God, worship
before you study! Remember that He is delighted in your discovery and study,
watching to see how you process what you read. (from Veronica Karaman, Behold
Your Teacher)
ƒ Choose a comfortable, quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
ƒ You will need a highlighter and a timer.

Step Time Activity Total


1 3 minutes Prayer and affirmation. :03
2 1 minute Speed drill for familiarity of section to be read. :04
ƒ U method or Question Mark method would work
well.
ƒ Watch for subject headings, charts, bold text, or
anything that looks important.
3 3 minutes Create a slash tree of anything you know is in this :07
section. Jot down questions. What do you think the
author will say?
4 6 minutes Do the 3-2-1 Sweep Drill. :13
5 20 minutes Read the material, using the “hop method.” :33
ƒ Make margin dots by material you think will be
important.
ƒ Push yourself as you read, but make sure you’re
comprehending.
ƒ Read as if you have to teach this material to
someone (Tip from Dr. Bruce Winston).
ƒ When you understand the paragraph sufficiently,
jump to the next, even if you’ve not read every
word.
6 4 minutes Review your margin dots. Highlight just the words you :37
need to capture the thoughts for the dots that were
important.
7 20 minutes Repeat Step 5. :57
8 4 minutes Repeat Step 6. :61

As after any reading session, recite the main points of what you’ve read.
ƒ Turn the main points into a mnemonic device. Write your mnemonic in the margin of
your text, or in a notebook.
ƒ If the topic is one you expect to refer back to in future research, type up notes on key
thoughts, with page citations. If you use a PDA, enter these notes into your PDA to
facilitate review.

Speed Reading Workshop - 5

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