What is the Meta Guiding technique?

Speed reading is a skill that can greatly improve your efficiency and productivity, allowing you to get through more information in less time. One technique that can be particularly effective for speed reading is known as meta guiding, which involves using a visual guide to help you focus and move quickly through the text.

To use the meta guiding technique, you will need to start by selecting a visual guide, such as a pen or a ruler.

You can also use a digital tool such as a finger or a cursor on a computer screen. The purpose of the visual guide is to help you focus on the text and prevent your eyes from drifting or skipping ahead.

To begin reading, place the visual guide under the first line of text and focus on the words as you move it down the page. Try to keep your eyes fixed on the guide and avoid re-reading or going back to previous lines. As you become more comfortable with the technique, you can try increasing your speed by moving the visual guide more quickly down the page.

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Why is Meta Guiding a good technique for speed reading?

One important aspect of the meta guiding technique is to use it in combination with other speed reading strategies, such as chunking and skimming.

Chunking involves grouping words into chunks or phrases rather than reading each word individually. This can help you process the information more efficiently and improve your comprehension. Skimming involves quickly scanning the text to get a general understanding of the content, and then focusing on specific sections that are most relevant to your needs.

Another helpful tip for using the meta guiding technique is to practice it with different types of material, such as fiction and non-fiction, to get a sense of what works best for you. You may find that you are better able to focus on fiction texts, for example, because they tend to have fewer technical terms and can be more engaging.

It's also important to be aware of your own reading habits and to try to break any bad habits that may be slowing you down. For example, if you tend to subvocalize (or "say" the words in your head) as you read, try to break this habit by focusing on the visual guide and moving it more quickly down the page.

One way to practice the meta guiding technique is to set aside dedicated reading time each day and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the technique. You can also try setting goals for yourself, such as reading a certain number of pages within a certain time frame, to help motivate you to improve your speed.

Summary

Overall, the meta guiding technique can be a powerful tool for improving your speed reading skills and helping you get through large amounts of information more efficiently. With practice and dedication, you can develop this skill and see significant improvements in your reading speed and comprehension. So, it is worth giving a try if you want to improve your reading skills.