Read with Speed and Precision

by Paul D. Leedy

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Ken Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acually, I made an error. The title should be "A Key To Better Reading by Paul D. Leedy. The title, as above noted, was another book by Leedy on reading which I had borrowed from the library but did not pruchase. A lot of the information in this book is in my book-"A Key to Better Reading". This book is not a gimmick on speed reading but an intelligent approach to tackling any type of reading material whether it's fiction, non-fiction, a newspaper article or column. Paul Leedy gives examples on how to view a paragraph and finding the main idea or topic sentence. For example: after determining the main idea, usually in the first or introductory sentence the author can only do four things with it: They can repeat it using other words; contrast, telling what it isn't; justify, giving proof; or exemplify, giving examples. He gives practical pointers on how to read to speed up your reading by reading 'telegraphically', that is, seeing all the words but reading only key words and phrases as in a telegraph with nothing lost in the meaning. He gives a list of 'cue words' that alert the reader to contrasting thoughts, examples, reptition, or proof. He also gives pointers on reading only the topic sentence of a paragraph and then the first sentence of each preceding paragraph to give a skeletal view of a magazine article or chapter in book so you can determine if you want to go back and read the details if you are so interested.

As I said, this is not a gimmicky book on speed reading as such, but an intelligent and practical approach to tackling any page of print in an efficient and precise manner.

I borrowed this book from the local library over 35 years ago and then purchased it for reference over the years.

I highly recommend this book whether for study or leisure reading.