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Regression

The next purpose of the drill is to fight regression. Often the mind wanders during some kinds of reading. When this happens the reader may re-read a word, sentence, or passage several times before finally continuing. This also happens in normal conversation. The listener fades out for a bit and then asks to have part of the conversation repeated. Regression is a fancy way of saying that sometimes we read things over and over without really getting it. Sometimes our concentration slips and we don't really notice what's going on as we turn the page. This is a huge time waster. It is better to understand the first time. As with sub-vocalization, regression isn't always bad. Sometimes the fun of reading is finding a book so challenging that you are forced to stop and re-read a section, as if asking yourself, "Now what did that mean?" This is good in the right time and place. But most reading doesn't fall into this category, and we would be better off to understand what we are reading the first time.

How does the drill fight regression? By practicing at different speeds the drill makes you more aware of when you understand material and when you don't. You practice getting it right the first time. You get the immediate reward of feeling certain when you "got it", and when you didn't. Reading one word at a time at the fast speed might result in getting less than when you read word pairs at the normal speed. Once you have experienced this a few times it will be second nature to read at whatever speed gives the most satisfaction. You will also be much more sensitive to when your attention is wavering. Usually when your attention starts to go you should take a break, at least for a moment. This break is a good time to think about what you have been reading. The drill gives you practice at noticing what it is like to go from high comprehension to low comprehension and back again. You get to experience what it is like to have the different kinds of understanding and comprehension that come with different reading styles. Having this structured experience helps you use this knowledge outside of your drill time.