Making Reading Easier with Thought-Units: A New Approach to Speed Reading

Imagine being able to read not just two words at once, but groups of seven or even more, all in one glance. This may sound impossible, but it's a reality when you learn to read in thought-units. This technique, which has been used by speed readers for over a century, is not only a quick way to improve your reading speed but also an effective and efficient method for understanding text better. In this article, we will explore how to incorporate this technique into your reading habits and its benefits.

What Are Thought-Units?

Thought-units are groups of words that form a complete and meaningful thought. This approach goes beyond just reading words as individual units; it focuses on reading these groups as a cohesive unit. For example, the phrase 'everything' was once written and read as 'every thing.' Over time, these have been combined to form a single, meaningful thought. The same principle applies to any group of words that convey a complete idea. By focusing on these thought-units, you can not only read faster but also comprehend and retain information more effectively.

The Power of Thought-Units in Reading

1. Reading Speed

Speed reading techniques are based on the principle of reading groups of words at once. This is not a new concept; it has been known for over a century and forms the foundation of all modern speed reading courses. Techniques such as eye span widening, eye movement exercises, and using a hand as a pacer all aim to help readers read faster by focusing on groups of words rather than individual letters. By reading thought-units, you can optimize your reading speed without sacrificing comprehension.

2. Reading Comprehension

Thought-units are more meaningful than individual words. When you read a complete thought, you are actively engaging with the ideas, rather than just the words. This helps in understanding the context and the full meaning of the text. Instead of focusing on phonetics or decoding each word, your attention is drawn to the overall meaning. This enhances your comprehension and retention of the information.

3. Reading Concentration

Focusing on thoughts rather than individual words requires practice. By reading in thought-units, you are taking in more information in less time, which means you must concentrate more on your reading. This skill improves with practice, whether you are a student needing to focus on schoolwork or an adult interested in mental sharpness. The practice helps you widen your eye focus while sharpening your attention.

4. Reading Retention

When you improve your comprehension and concentration, you naturally improve your retention. Meaningful ideas are easier to remember than isolated words or phrases. By reading thought-units, you are more likely to understand and retain the information, making it stick in your mind more effectively.

5. English as a Second Language (ESL)

Thought-units can be particularly helpful for ESL learners. By focusing on meaningful groups of words rather than trying to decipher long sentences, you can more accurately understand text. This mirrors the natural way children learn their native language, communicating in short, meaningful phrases before connecting into longer sentences. For ESL learners, this technique can significantly ease the process of reading in English.

6. Developmental Reading Disabilities (DRD)

Even those who must work to develop fluency in their native language can benefit from thought-units. Some DRD courses teach students to stop and think about each phrase. By visualizing what the preceding phrase meant when they encounter punctuation, learners can better understand the text. Reading thought-units can help DRD students improve their reading skills by focusing on complete thoughts rather than individual words.

How to Learn to Read Thought-Units

While the concept of thinking in thought-units has been around for a long time, it has not always been clear that every group of words must form a meaningful thought. The key is to read thought-units as opposed to just trying to see more words at a time. While you can't say two words at once, you can think one thought at a time. This means each word-group must form a complete idea.

Learning to read thought-units takes practice. Unfortunately, most reading courses and books lack the necessary practice material. They may provide a few pages of text divided into meaningful phrases, but this is insufficient. A comprehensive practice method would be ideal for developing this skill effectively.