Speed reading using your finger, a pointer, or even a pen as a guide is a classic technique known to significantly improve reading speed and comprehension. This method is called "tracking," and it's surprisingly effective.
By placing your finger or a pointer under the line of text you're reading and moving it along as you read, you give your eyes a point to focus on. This can help guide your eyes more smoothly across the line and reduce distractions, thereby increasing your reading speed.
One key to making this technique work is to minimize "subvocalization," or the tendency to read out loud in your head. When your finger moves along the text, try to get your eyes to follow it without letting your inner voice read every word. This way, you're encouraging your brain to understand the material through visual recognition rather than auditory processing, which is often faster.
You'll initially feel like you're not grasping everything, but with practice, your comprehension will improve while reading at a faster speed.
Start by reading a few paragraphs of text using your finger to guide you, then gradually increase the length and complexity of the material. As you become more comfortable with this technique, experiment with your pacing. See if moving your finger more quickly or slowly affects your comprehension and adjust accordingly.
With consistent practice, you'll find that you can read much faster using your finger as a tracking tool, without sacrificing understanding of the content.
Remember, speed reading is a skill that takes time to develop. You may not notice immediate, dramatic improvements, but with persistent practice, tracking with your finger can significantly enhance both your reading speed and your comprehension.