Brozo W.G., Johns J.L. "A Content and Critical Analysis of Forty Speed-Reading Books." College
Reading and Learning Assistance Technical Report. 86-04. 1986.
Content and critical analyses of 40 speed reading books were undertaken to determine to what extent discussion and teaching reflected current research. Particular attention was given to the information provided on eye movements, span of recognition, and the upper rates of speed attainable through practice. Content analysis revealed the following: (1) 72% of the 32 books that dealt with the span of recognition encouraged readers to process phrases of three or fewer words in a single fixation, while 28% discussed expanding the field of vision to include clusters larger than three words as well as entire lines or large blocks of print; (2) 15% of the 27 books in which eye regressions were discussed indicated that they were useful in some cases, while 52% advocated the total elimination of regressions; and (3) 57% of the 28 speed reading books reporting upper rates of reading proposed rates above 1,000 words per minute (wpm). However, it is concluded that research supports the following: readers have a span of recognition physiologically fixed at about two or three words, regressions are sometimes necessary and useful, and rates above 1,000 wpm are not achieved with what is usually thought of as normal reading; skimming or scanning are employed instead. In an effort to improve speed reading books, collaboration between researchers and writers is recommended. (A list of all 40 speed reading books is appended, as are the references upon which the criticisms were based.)
Thompson M.E. Dimensions of Speed Reading: A Review of Research Literature. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the North Central Reading Association (Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 18-19, 1985).
An overview of significant research studies, bibliographies, historical reviews, definitions, and commentaries on speed reading during the past 60 years is presented in this paper. The first part of the paper considers the concept and definitions of speed reading, and summarizes research from the 1940s and 1950s, including discussion of eye movement studies and the flexibility of reading rates. The paper then discusses the Evelyn Wood speed reading technique and the resulting criticism of it, including George D. Spache's article identifying its weaknesses. Next, the paper explores studies conducted in the 1960s concerning the relationship between reading rate and comprehension, factors that might influence reading speed, and the effect of speed reading on studying. The paper continues with a list of selected studies from the l970s reflecting moderate expectations from speed reading, discusses the continuing controversy, and ends with a summary that points out the opportunity to learn from past research.
O'Reilly R.P., Walker J.E. "An Analysis of Reading Rates in College Students." Reading Research and Instruction. 1990; 29(2): 1-11.
Examines selected research showing how the components of human information processing limit reading rates. Suggests that speed reading is impossible when the intent is to understand the message communicated by the text. Discusses limiting factors in processes of word recognition, working memory, and comprehension. Discusses evaluative and instructional implications.
