Chapter 4

READING TEXT SILENTLY

Introduction

This is all you have to know to do basic reading. However, there is much more you can do. For example while reading you can pause any time you want by pressing the upper left key (`). Press it again to continue reading. To reread the current sentence and continue on press 1. To reread the previous sentence and continue on, press 2.

Proportional Reading can do many things all of which you can quickly master when you are ready. Reading Text Silently is divided into the following subjects:

Introduction
1) Preparation
2) Selecting Speed and Format
3) Stopping, Pausing and Repeating Text
4) Interactive Questions and Answers
5) Outlining and Note Taking
6) Locating Text
7) Review Techniques (including typing out notes and drafts)
8) Viewing Pictures

Note: A small amount of Proportionalized text may be provided on the start up disk in a file called "PR Practice Text".

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1) Preparation of Computer For Silent Reading

1) Open the Proportionalized text file which you wish to read.

2) Close other windows on the Finder.

3) Size the Proportional Reading window for the top, middle or bottom of the screen. Do this by typing: Control+n for the top; Control+v for the middle; or Control+` for the bottom. The middle position is by far the most popular.

4) Open the note file for taking notes and place this file behind the pr window. Type: Option+Command+n to open the note file. Type: Control+v to size the note window. Type: Control+m to bring the pr window forward.

The pr window should be narrow from top to bottom. The ruler should not be visible. Only one word should appear in the window at a time and this should be in Geneva font at 70 points.

Note: If you can't get the text window to close up enough, quit WordPerfect and then restart WordPerfect. Restarting WordPerfect will solve the problem. The easy way to retrieve the desired file is to just select it from the file menu under "Open Latest".

5) Now adjust the lighting in your work area. Start by reducing contrast on the screen. Type: "Control+command+b" to reduce contrast. Having contrasting light intensities between type and background on the screen will quickly put you to sleep. This problem gets worse the faster you try to read. The mind can not tell which level of light intensity to adjust to so it just goes to sleep. This potential problem can be easily avoided, by lightening the hue of the dark type, and darkening the hue of the background, both of which you do with this command.

You can also choose to just lighten the hue of the type. To do this type: Option+Command+b. Thirdly, you can reverse the foreground and background. Do this by typing: Shift+Command+b. You can switch between these settings at will. To return foreground and background to normal default settings type: Control+Option+Command+b.

To Change Color of Type (for Reading Silently)

To Change Highlight Color to Red, Green, Blue or Purple (for Reading Out Loud in WordPerfect or for Reading Silently by Line)

To Customize Color of Highlight and/or Foreground and Background

Now adjust different brightness levels in the room. Make sure there are no bright lights in your peripheral vision. This includes any bright lights above your head or from unshaded windows near the computer. If you have to use an overhead light which is visible in your peripheral vision, wear a hat with a brim. Also, make sure your computer screen is not the only light source in an otherwise dark room. Make sure bright table lights or other light sources can not be seen in the computer screen reflection. It is best to have a bounce light play off the ceiling from behind your chair. If the light source is below the top of the chair, or above the computer, it won't show up as a reflection on your computer screen. Remember to change your lighting as the day progresses and the lighting changes. If you don't eliminate brightness differences, you will just fall asleep when the program runs.

6) Turn down the screen brightness until the screen is almost dark. The eyes simply can not take too much screen brightness.

7) Sit back at least two feet from the screen. Sit in a comfortable chair with good back support. Rest the keyboard on your lap or on a pillow in your lap. Position your keyboard so that you can easily rest your left pointer finger on the ~/` key (located at the upper left corner of the keyboard) and your right pointer finger on the Enter character on the number pad. Place the mouse on a mouse pad on a small coffee table located by your arm rest. Don't lean forward to reach or crouch over a desk. These acts cause a tremendous stress on the back and neck. and shoulders. Furthermore, reaching forward to use the mouse wastes a lot of time.

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2) SELECTING SPEED AND FORMAT

Pick Your Format

Standard Pause format: for regular presentation of text; no extra time at the end of sentences and no recognition of specially inserted pauses. Standard format is always accessed by pressing Command and Option simultaneously with the left hand. These are the two keys to the immediate left of the space bar. You use your index and middle finger to press them. Almost all reading is done in this format.

Extra Pause format: for extra time at the end of sentences and on longer words and for recognition of specially inserted pauses by a fixed time delay. Extra Pause format is always accessed by pressing Control+Command simultaneously with the left hand.

Interactive Pause Format: for as much time as you want at the end of sentences and inserted pauses. Interactive Pause Format is always accessed by pressing Option and Shift simultaneously with the left hand. Use your index and middle fingers.

Once you have had as much time as you wish in Interactive Format, you return to reading by pressing Enter with your right hand.

Pick Your Speed

There are at least five main reasons for changing reading speed. Different people naturally read at different speeds. Secondly, their basic rate changes as they get to be better readers. Third, text with longer words will display slower on the computer screen than text made up out of shorter words because the computer is told to slow down on longer words. Fourth, text changes in complexity, which in turn requires the reader to change his or her reading speed. Fifth, faster computers will read the text faster than slower computers. For all these reasons you need to be able to change speeds as you desire. With fourteen speeds to switch between, you can easily match whichever speed you need as you progress.

To pick a speed, decide first how fast you want to read and in which format. There are fourteen speeds and three formats. A setting consists of a format and a speed. Format and speed choices can be easily switched.

All fourteen speeds are selected by pressing single key from a choice of fourteen keys: F1-F14 The slowest speed is F1 is the fastest speed is F14.

The speeds vary from about 60 wpm to 700 wpm. These ratings are based on reading simple sentences with short words in Standard format with a Power PC computer with a 601 chip running at 60 megahertz. Remember, because longer words take more time, complicated text will always run substantially slower on the same setting than simple text. Also, the faster your computer, the faster a particular speed will be on that computer.

The best approach is not to insist on going at a set speed, but rather to adjust the speed to the maximum speed that is right for you at this time with the type of reading you are currently doing.

You press your format choice with the index and middle fingers of your left hand. Simultaneously, you pick your speed choice with the index finger of your right hand.

Make Choices as You Read

Preparation Reference Sheet

Open Word Perfect

Open PR FIle to Read

Size File

Choose Contrast Setting for Foreground, Background and Highlight

Note: to darken foreground hue back, type: Control+Option+Command+b. Alternatively: pull down Macro menu to "a) Foreground/Darken".

Lower Brightness

Close Extra Windows

Check "Caps Lock"

Reactivate File to Read

Select Speed and Format

Select Speed And Format (program will start to read)

To Change Speed in Standard or Extra Pause Format

Now type new speed keystroke as shown above. Alternatively: pull down Macro menu to desired speed number (a01-a14). Each speed has three font choices: Standard Pause Format is first, Extra Pause Format is second, and Interactive Pause Format is third.

To Change Speed in Interactive Format

3) Stopping, Pausing and Repeating Text

While Playing Text

Stop Program at Any Time

Note: When you end a piece of Proportionalized text, the program automatically ends. However, if you wish to end the reading program from part way through the text or from pause, you will need to type Command+ period.

Note: if you are through doing Proportional Reading and the cursor is blinking quickly, or if you see the words "Running Macro Macro Pause" at the bottom of the screen, then you are still in a macro program and need to stop it by typing Command+Period. Other non-PR programs may not work well if a macro is still running in the background.

Pause at Any Time

Continue from Pause

Repeat Last Few Words While Reading

Repeat Current Sentence and then Continue On

Repeat Previous Sentence and then Continue On

Repeat from Beginning of Current Paragraph and then Continue On

Repeat from Beginning of Preceding Paragraph and then Continue On

Repeat from Beginning of Three Paragraphs Back and then Continue On

Repeat from Last Page Number and then Continue On

Move to Beginning of Next Paragraph and then Continue Onward

Pause and Step Through Text

Summary

1 to get to the beginning of the current sentence.
2 to get to the beginning of the previous sentence.
3 to go to the beginning of the current paragraph.
4 to go to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
5 to go to the beginning of three paragraphs back.
6 to go to the last marked page.
"w" to go to the beginning of the next paragraph.

Note: If you wish, you can pause the program while you find the location key you want to press. Then you can start the program again by pressing pause and then immediately press the location key you have selected. This procedure is often works well.

4) Interactive Questions and Answers

(Create Interactive Tutorials)

"Now is the time of year for all good men to

come to the aid of their party."

Creating Interactive Tutorials Without any Typing of Words

Note: After a pause you can also have the next word stay on the screen for extra time. This is especially useful for new names or new vocabulary.

Adding Hidden Pause Signal to Proportionalized Text to Create Interactive Questions and Answers

Adding Hidden Pause Code to Basic Text (before Text is Proportionalized)

Sometimes you will want the text to pause before a new name and then to leave that word on the screen for extra time to emphasize it. To signal the computer to do both of these things one after the other, press: F6. You will see the mark "~ <:>" created.

Play Text with Questions and Answers (Cognitive Pauses Active)

Play Text with Questions and Answers (Cognitive Pauses Active) with Indefinite Time Delay Before Answers

Note: Program will pause indefinitely at end of every period, question mark, etc. until Enter is pressed. Type: Command+Period (Cancel) to stop and get out of this format.

Note: You must stop the program (not pause it) to switch format and/or speed from Interactive Format.

5) Outlining and Note Taking

Outlines

Basic Outline Marks

<:% indicates a major book part
<:# indicates a chapter title
<:= indicates a primary sub-title
<: indicates a secondary sub-title
<:- indicates a tertiary sub-title
< marks a selected sentence
p# marks a page number
<:> marks a selected name or word

These marks serve a second purpose as well. They are used as the basis for immediately scrolling to and between sections of electronic text.

In Proportional Reading, outlines are made after text has been downloaded or scanned. This is before the text is Proportionalized.

Initial Marking of Text for Outline

All marks made in the original text stay with the text when it is Proportionalized. It is then very easy to scroll forward or backward in the Proportionalized text between sections as you read.

Note: Outlining raw text before it is Proportionalized serves a number of purpose. It marks the text for later section maneuvering as well as for immediate or later optional additional outlining. Outlining now also produces a separate outline file which is a useful study tool to have before you start to read.

Extent of Title Capture

Manually Marking Text for Outlines and Quick Location

You can use the keyboard and shift key in the regular manner or you can quickly type marking combinations using the following macro keystrokes:

for <:% (indicates a major book part) Type: Option+h

for <:# (indicates a chapter title) Type: Option+a

for <:= (indicates a primary sub-title) Type: Option+s

for <: (indicates a secondary sub-title) Type: Option+d

for <:- (indicates a tertiary sub-title) Type: Option+f

for < (marks a selected sentence) Type: Option+x

for p# (marks a page number) Type: Option+z

for<:> (marks a selected name or word) Type: Option+g

Running the Outline Program

To Enhance Outline Marks in Text

To Mark Proportionalized Text

To mark a Special Sentence while Playing Text

Note: Sometimes repeatedly pressing a location key will not get you any further back than where you currently are. If this situation occurs, let the program start to display text and then press your desired number, then Tab, then your number again. This will get you beyond any "log jam". You can always scroll forward to the beginning of the next paragraph by letting the program run and then press "w'.

To Create Note/Outline File of All Marked Sentences, Page Numbers, Chapter Headings, Sub-Titles and Secondary Sub-Titles in Order of Presentation in Proportional Text

To create file:

This outline is also excellent preparation for writing footnotes and quotes with page numbers; no retyping is necessary.

Note: If you are using this command on non-Proportionalized text, the selection from a mark will continue until a blank line. Therefore, add a blank line at the end of the sentence or group of sentences you wish to copy, or the selection will automatically continue until the end of the paragraph, (assuming you are using blank lines between paragraphs). Proportionalized text has a blank line at the end of every sentence.

Create Untitled File of All Marked Key Words

Make Next Draft of Selected Sentences (no retyping)

Make sure text window is the only opened file.
Type: Shift+Option+Command+a.
Alternatively: pull Macro menu down to "a) <'s/Next Draft".

Note: The selection from a mark will continue until a blank line. Drafts you make from earlier outlines (made with this program) and from Proportionalized text automatically have and keep a blank line between thoughts.

However, if you are using this program on non-Proportionalized text, which is not an earlier outline made with this program, you may need to add blank lines. Add a blank line at the end of the sentence or group of sentences you wish to copy, unless a blank line is already there. Otherwise, your selection will automatically continue until the next blank line.

To Open Outline and Optionally Take Note on Outline While Reading Proportionally

Proportional Reading will stop and the outline file will zoom open. Examine the outline and/or type a note at a particular section of the outline. Your notes will start on the far left margin and be easily recognized as a separate part of the outline, but within it. When you are finished typing your note press the "enter" key and you will return to the PR file and continue reading. Note: the next time you press "z" you will be able to continue your notes from where you left off.

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TAKING OTHER TYPES OF NOTES

Taking Voice Activated Notes

Automatically Pause to Type Note, Then Return to Former Place and Continue Reading

Note: When you first type "n", you will pause and move to the bottom of the "Notes" window. Now type your note. When done: press ENTER and you will return to your reading material and start up again where you left off. Notes will accumulate on the "Notes" file.

Alternatively, you can press pause, locate the "n" key, press pause again to continue, and then press "n" This is easier for some people than finding "n" while the program is running.

Note: If the pr program stops after you press "n" it will be because the "Notes" file is not open as a window. Open the "Notes" file and restart the pr program.

Manually Pause Program, Click on "Notes" Window, Type Note, Then Manually Return to PR Window and Continue Reading

Taking a Note Anytime in WordPerfect

To Hide the Note File Behind the PR Window

To Save a Note

Creating Two-Sided Flash Cards

Now select a term you wish to make a flash card of and type: F11. The program will go to the glossary. Type: "Command+f" and then Command+v and then press "return" to activate the Search and Find feature. There maybe several different entries with the same name you selected. Keep pressing "Find" until you reach the entry you want. Click on the Glossary file to make it active. Now press "enter" and the glossary entry will be copied automatically and pasted at the end of your Flash Card Form. The title term will be separated from the body of text. Repeat this process for each flash card you need to make. There will be two columns of text on each page, one card per column. Print out the flash card pages and fold them in half and cut them in two. Each page produces two double-sided flash cards.

6) Locating Text From Pause or Stop

Leaving the program in pause mode while you locate text, is often easier than trying to press the right key "on the fly". You can scroll or search to new text or you can move to the next or previous marked sentence, chapter title, sub-title, or key word. You can also move to the next or previous sentence, paragraph or page #. Use the following commands.

Scroll Text One Word at a Time

Search Text for Word or String

Move to Next Book Part

Move to Previous Book Part

Move to Next Chapter

Move to Previous Chapter

Move to Next Marked Primary Sub-Title

Move to Previous Marked Primary Sub-Title

Move to Next Marked Secondary Sub-Title

Move to Previous Marked Secondary Sub-Title

Move to Next Marked Tertiary Sub-Title

Move to Previous Marked Tertiary Sub-Title

Move to Next Marked Sentence

Move to Previous Marked Sentence

Move to Beginning of Next Marked Caption or Text Box (<<)

Move to Beginning of Previous Marked Caption or Text Box (<<)

Move to End of Next Marked Caption or Text Box (>>)

Move to End of Previous Marked Caption or Text Box (>>)

Move to Next Marked Key Word

Move to Previous Marked Key Word

Move to Beginning of Current Sentence

Move to Beginning of Next Sentence

Move to Beginning of Previous Sentence

Move to Beginning of Current Paragraph

Move to Beginning of Next Paragraph

Move to Beginning of Previous Paragraph

Move to Beginning of Two Paragraphs Ahead

Move to Beginning of Two Paragraphs Back

Move to Next Marked Page (p#)

Move to Previous Marked Page (p#)

Keystroke Continuity

Look Up Page Number at Any Time

To activate this feature:
Pause.
Type: Control+Option+Command+z.
Alternatively: pull down Macro menu to "aa) Look Up Page#".
Type: (`) to continue reading.

Note: This program only looks up page no.'s which begin with the prefix: p#.

LOCATING TEXT FROM STOP

7) Review Techniques

Repeat Text at Higher Speed

Play Text with Interactive Pauses - Interactive Tutorials

Review Outline of Marked Chapter and Sub-Titles

Move to Particular Chapter or Sub-Title or Secondary Sub-Title and Continue Reading

With Program Stopped, Move to Particular Chapter or Sub-Title or Secondary Sub-Title and Start Reading

Step Through Marked Key Words

To step through marked Key Words with program running, type "e" to go to the next marked word and continue reading.

Review Selected List of Any Specially Marked Names and Key Words, Dates, etc.

Move to Beginning of Next Paragraph and Start Play

Move to Next Marked Sentence and Continue Play

Create a Second Selection (or Next Draft) of Selected Sentences

To Read Outline while Reading Text in PR

8) Viewing Pictures

To Mark Place in Text, Return to Last Picture, then Return to Place in Text

Note: To backup more than one picture
Type: Control+Shift+p each time you want to go back one more picture. Type: Control+p each time you want to go forward one picture.

To Return to the Last Picture, Then Continue Reading from This Point

From Pause, Go Back One Picture

From Pause, Go Forward One Picture

Reading Silently by Highlighted Line