To seriously improve reading speed, you must tackle the habit of subvocalization that inner voice reading every word. This habit limits your pace to your speaking speed. A simple solution is using a pacer. Guide your eyes across the page with a pen or your finger, moving slightly faster than is comfortable. This trains your eyes to take in groups of words at once (chunking) instead of individual ones, significantly increasing your reading rhythm and breaking the reliance on your inner voice.

The best approach combines technique and mental engagement. First, boost your speed by minimizing subvocalization through pacing (using a pen to guide your eye movement faster than you normally speak). Second, dramatically increase comprehension by becoming an active reader. This involves setting an objective for the reading session and using simple annotation methods like underlining key conclusions and pausing to mentally summarize complex paragraphs before moving on. Speed without comprehension is useless, and vice versa.

The primary goal is moving from reading for recognition to reading for retention. This requires a crucial mindset shift: you are not just consuming words, you are performing a task. Before reading, preview the material (table of contents, headings, bold text) to build a mental framework. Then, read with the intent to teach the content to someone else. This compels your brain to identify the main points and supporting evidence, turning your reading time into a highly focused and efficient learning session.