What is speed reading?
RAPID READING is a procedure that allows you to fully browse a text, word by word or in adjoining words, at a speed higher than 500 words per minute (wpm). Fast reading is not a method of skimming the text, nor is a method of photoreading. Read below some basic information about quick reading and differences from usual reading.
SPEED READING

• It is done by moving through the whole text without any returns on the words already read
• The speed at which you read is over 500 wpm (optimally over 900 wpm)
• Memory and understanding are improving
• The effort you make to read sensibly decreases as your reading speed increases

USUAL READING

• It is done by going through the text and often returning to the words read to better understand what you read
• The speed at which you read is about 250 wpm or 350 wpm if you are reading more then average
• Memory and understanding remain at the same level
• The effort you make to read is the same while your reading speed is kept at the same level

Speed reading, text skimming and photoreading are quick ways of scrolling text. In two previous posts we have clarified the differences between fast reading and texts skimming HERE and between fast reading and photoreading HERE. The main difference between fast reading and the other two methods is the way the text is scrolled. In case of fast reading the texts are read in full. In the case of scanning and photoreading the texts are read truncated, incompletely.​

Hence, their main drawback is that understanding of the text so far is affected more or less, depending on how much information has been omitted.

However, the three methods can be used additionally. Read on to see how!

Although apparently the two formulations suggest the same, differences are important and need to be clarified. In clarifying this difference we will start from the definition of speed reading. Speed reading is a human ability that can be transformed into a useful skill through training.

In other words, ability designates a potential that is not yet being used. When this potential begins to be properly stimulated, through training, it turns into usable skill. This skill is fast reading and it brings us a lot of benefits such: earning time, better understanding of information and its more efficient memorization, effective learning, better reading motivation.
And now let's see more clearly what's the difference between a program for learning speed reading and a speed reading app.

Speed reading is a necessity today. We have more to read. As a result, various techniques have been developed to cover the texts we want to read as quickly as possible.
Photoreading is part of these fast text crossing techniques. And yet, photoreading is NOT a fast reading method! Why?

Let's look at the differences between fast reading and photoreading:
Photoreading is a complex method used to quickly navigate longer texts such as novels, short stories, and generally extensive content books.

Fast reading is a goal assumed by more and more people because we have daily more and more to read. ​And yet, the methods we use to go through a text as quickly as possible are very different.

Although generally we all talk about fast reading, in practice we can distinguish between fast reading and texts "scanning" or skimming. Let's see how these two methods differ.