Education and Learning
Today, all kinds of information are constantly circulating, and it can sometimes be difficult to focus and retain key information — especially when reading a text. Whether for work, studies, or simply for pleasure, developing this skill can help you save time and boost productivity. Discover some effective techniques and methods to read faster and retain the essentials of a text.
The basics of speed reading
Speed reading is a technique that allows you to read more words per minute while maintaining good comprehension. It relies on several methods that help reduce the time spent processing words and sentences. One such method is minimizing subvocalization. What does this mean? Subvocalization is the habit of silently pronouncing words in your head. It’s a major obstacle to speed reading. Reducing this habit can significantly increase reading speed. One effective trick is to use a pen or finger to guide your eyes along the lines. This helps keep your eyes focused on the movement and discourages silent reading. Peripheral vision also plays a crucial role in speed reading. By widening your field of vision, you can take in several words at once instead of just one. To improve this skill, try focusing your gaze on the center of each line and capturing the words on either side. With practice, you’ll be able to read faster while maintaining good comprehension!
Choosing the right place to read
The place you choose to read greatly affects your ability to concentrate and remember information. Pick a spot where you feel comfortable, ideally well-lit, quiet, and free from constant interruptions. Avoid distractions by staying away from anything that could disrupt your focus. Make sure you have everything you might need within reach: books, computer, pens, highlighters, notebook, water, coffee, snacks, tissues, etc. And most importantly, keep your phone out of sight! Every time your attention drifts from your reading, it takes effort to refocus. By eliminating distractions, your memory retention during reading will be much more effective.
Examples of techniques to retain key information
One effective method to identify and remember the essentials of a text is highlighting. Discover Pilot’s FriXion Light highlighters with erasable ink. This lets you adjust and modify highlights as your understanding of the text evolves. Highlight main ideas, important dates, keywords… it makes reviewing and memorizing much easier. Another method: note-taking. Handwritten notes are recommended for summarizing important information. Summarize paragraphs, write down main ideas, and jot down questions or thoughts you have while reading. This activates memory and helps with better understanding and retention. And with FriXion pens and their erasable ink, you don’t have to worry about making mistakes — making you even more efficient! Mind maps (or cognitive maps) are also a great tool for organizing and memorizing information. They allow you to visualize relationships between ideas and structure content logically. To create a mind map, start by writing the main topic in the center of the page, then branch out to secondary ideas, using lines and sub-branches. This technique makes memorization and review much easier.
Improving comprehension
Before you start reading, define your objectives. Ask yourself what you want to learn or understand from the text. This helps you focus on relevant information and filter out the unnecessary. Having a clear goal not only improves reading speed but also helps you retain key points. Another tip: while reading, ask yourself questions about the content. For example, “What is the main idea of this paragraph?” or “Why is this argument important?” Then, try to answer those questions as you read. This technique activates critical thinking and strengthens both understanding and memory. Finally, after finishing a section or chapter, take a moment to summarize what you just read. Writing a concise summary of key points helps consolidate your understanding and boost memory. It also serves as a great reference for later review!
Handwriting benefits
About FriXion:
Dive into the world of FriXion erasable pens and discover a complete range of writing tools tailored to all your needs. From gel ink rollers to highlighters, writing markers, and more, FriXion offers a variety of erasable pens that let you change your mind or correct mistakes instantly! Whether you’re learning something new, taking notes, doing calculations, organizing ideas, giving presentations, sketching, drawing, or even coloring — FriXion pens and markers are here to support you daily. With FriXion, creativity and correction go hand in hand, giving you the freedom to explore your ideas without fear of mistakes!
