Determining what type of reader you are

Reading educators distinguish between three types of vocalization.

In order from most to least vocal, they are motor readers, auditory

readers, and visual readers. Use the results of the vocalization test

you took in the previous section to identify your reading type:

 ✓ Motor reader: These readers tend to move their lips and may

even mimic speech with their tongues and vocal cords when

reading. Their reading range is very slow (150 to 200 words

per minute) because they must read word-by-word at the rate

they speak. These readers have poor comprehension due to

their slow reading speed.

 ✓ Auditory reader: These readers don’t engage their lips, tongue,

or vocal cords when they read, but they do silently say and

hear the words. They read in the 200 to 400 words-per-minute

range. Auditory readers are skillful readers with vocabularies

large enough that they can quickly recognize words.

 ✓ Visual reader: These readers vocalize minimally or not at all.

Visual readers engage their eyes and minds when they read,

but not their mouths, throats, or ears. They can read many

words at once because they read ideas, not individual words.

They read at a rate of 400+ words per minute.

To be a speed reader, you must endeavor to be a visual reader.