In the academic world, time is everything. Students juggle multiple assignments, exams, readings, and extracurriculars — all while trying to meet high expectations. Among these tasks, journal article assignments stand out for their complexity. They demand deep reading, critical thinking, structured writing, and citation accuracy. But one crucial skill can make or break your ability to complete these assignments effectively and on time: reading speed.
Reading faster doesn’t mean skimming. It means processing dense academic texts more efficiently without sacrificing comprehension. A higher reading speed, combined with effective note-taking and comprehension strategies, allows you to complete journal article assignments faster and with greater clarity. This blog explores the relationship between reading speed and assignment success, the science behind reading faster, and practical ways you can improve your reading pace to write better, faster, and smarter.
1. Why Reading Speed Matters for Academic Writing
Journal article assignments often involve:
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Reading multiple dense sources
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Extracting relevant information
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Synthesizing themes and arguments
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Writing under deadlines
If reading takes too long, you may:
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Struggle to finish the article
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Rush your writing
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Miss important points
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Produce low-quality analysis
Faster reading = more time for planning, writing, and revising.
📚 Fact: The average college student reads at 200–300 words per minute (wpm). Academic achievers often read at 400+ wpm with solid comprehension.
2. The Science Behind Reading Speed
Reading speed is influenced by:
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Fixations: How long your eyes stay on each word or phrase
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Saccades: The jumps your eyes make between words
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Regression: Going back to reread due to confusion
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Inner vocalization (subvocalization): Silently “saying” words in your head
Faster readers:
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Minimize unnecessary fixations
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Reduce regressions
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Process groups of words, not individual terms
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Control subvocalization when appropriate
🧠 Reading faster isn’t just a skill — it’s a cognitive upgrade.
3. Academic Reading ≠ Casual Reading
Reading a journal article is very different from reading a novel or news piece. Academic texts:
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Use dense vocabulary
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Include complex sentence structures
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Contain unfamiliar theories or data
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May require re-reading technical sections
This is why selective reading — not just speed reading — is key.
4. How Reading Speed Affects Journal Article Assignments
✅ Higher Reading Speed Leads To:
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Faster comprehension of the article’s structure
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More time for analysis and writing
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Ability to scan for quotes or data efficiently
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Better information retention when combined with annotation
❌ Slower Reading Speed Can Cause:
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Fatigue and information overload
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Less time for drafting and revising
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Surface-level analysis
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Procrastination due to fear of the reading workload
5. Strategies to Improve Reading Speed Without Losing Comprehension
1. Preview the Article
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Read the abstract, headings, intro, and conclusion first
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Skim the references for familiar sources
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Understand the structure before reading line by line
2. Use a Pointer or Guide
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Run your finger or a pen under each line
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This keeps your eyes moving forward and reduces regressions
3. Read in Phrases, Not Words
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Train your eyes to group 3–5 words at a time
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Focus on meaning units instead of decoding each word
4. Limit Subvocalization
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Try to “see” rather than “say” words in your head
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Hum or chew gum lightly to interrupt internal voice (for practice only)
5. Use Timed Practice
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Read for 10 minutes and count how many words you cover
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Use tools like Spreeder, BeeLine Reader, or Acceleread to build speed
6. Apply Speed Reading to Journal Article Assignments
Here’s a strategy tailored to assignments:
Step 1: Quick Scan (5–7 mins)
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Abstract
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Section headings
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First/last lines of paragraphs
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Figures and tables
Step 2: Focused Read (15–20 mins)
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Introduction
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Methodology (skim lightly unless analyzing)
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Results and Discussion
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Conclusion
Step 3: Selective Re-Reading (as needed)
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Review areas relevant to your thesis or critique
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Highlight quotes and take notes
7. Combine Speed Reading with Effective Note-Taking
Speed reading alone isn’t enough. Combine it with:
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Margin notes
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Highlighting only keywords (not whole paragraphs)
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Summary tables (e.g., author, findings, relevance)
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Mind maps to visualize connections
Use digital tools like Notion, Obsidian, or Google Docs with comment features.
8. Build a “Reading Schedule” for Longer Assignments
Plan reading time just like writing time:
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Day 1: Scan all articles
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Day 2–3: Focused reading + first draft notes
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Day 4: Outline based on readings
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Day 5–6: Write and revise
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Day 7: Final edits and formatting
Staying on pace prevents burnout and enhances comprehension.
9. Overcoming Reading Fatigue
Reading slower because your mind wanders? Try:
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Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes on, 5 off
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Changing your environment (light, seating, time of day)
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Reading standing up or using a posture-correcting app
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Blue-light glasses if reading digitally
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Hydration + light snacks during long sessions
🔁 Speed comes from consistency, not cramming.
10. When to Slow Down — and Why It’s Okay
Even the fastest readers know when to slow down:
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Reading dense theory (e.g., Foucault, Derrida, Lacan)
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Reviewing data or methodology
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Evaluating an unfamiliar citation style
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Interpreting graphs or tables
Fast reading is a tool, not a rule. Use it flexibly.
Extended Conclusion: Read Smarter, Write Better
The connection between reading speed and journal article assignment completion is about more than finishing faster — it’s about reading smarter. Faster reading gives you more time to analyze, organize, reflect, and revise — the components of truly great academic work.
Think of reading speed as an investment. The more efficiently you absorb information, the more mental energy you conserve for higher-order thinking. You’ll stop dreading the reading load and start managing it. You’ll approach articles with strategy instead of stress.
Reading is the foundation of academic writing. Strengthen your foundation, and every paper you write becomes stronger, sharper, and more sophisticated.
So start today: train your eyes, structure your sessions, and take charge of the reading process. Because once you control how you read, you’ll control how — and how well — you write.
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