Using bionic reading to enhance comprehension

You are about to enter the world of bionic reading, where words pop off the page and comprehension soars. 

If this world intrigues you, keep reading to learn about what bionic reading involves and how to use it to your advantage. 

What is bionic reading?

Bionic reading is a technique that uses cognitive processing to help you understand and recall information more deeply. It helps break down words and sentences into their component parts and guides your eyes to them, so you can see how each component fits together and better understand the overall message.

In other words, imagine you’re walking through a forest and trying to find your way. Bionic reading is like a special pair of glasses that can help you see things more clearly. You can zoom in on the details, like the shape of a leaf or the texture of the bark. You can also step back and see the bigger picture, like how the trees are arranged or how the sunlight filters through the leaves. 

Bionic reading is usually done by bolding the important pieces of the text (to tell your brain what to focus on), or by bolding or highlighting specific things like the roots, prefixes, and suffixes of words, or the patterns in sentence structure and word choice.

You can use bionic reading to become more engaged with the material and develop a deeper understanding of what you're reading. This can help you retain information better and apply it in new contexts. Pretty cool, right?

Why bionic reading?

At this point you may be wondering: Why bionic reading? Here are some of the ways bionic reading can benefit your learning process: 

• Improved retention: Bionic reading helps you remember what you read by encouraging you to both actively engage with the material and make connections between different parts of the text. 
• More effective learning: By breaking down words and understanding their component parts, bionic reading can help you learn new words more quickly (and remember them better!).
• Deeper understanding: By realizing word meanings and identifying connections between ideas, you can gain insights into the author's intent and appreciate the text on a deeper level. 

Getting started with bionic reading

If you're interested in trying bionic reading, here are some basic steps to get started:

1. Start small: Start with short passages or articles that interest you. This will help you focus on the material and practice your skills without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Highlight key words and phrases: While you’re reading the text, highlight, underline, or bold key words and phrases that stand out to you. This can help you identify patterns and make it easier to recall information later on.
3. Ask questions: Ask yourself questions like: What is the author trying to say? How does this relate to what I already know? What other information do I need to fully understand this concept? This can more deeply engage you with the material and develop a deeper understanding of what you're reading.
4. Make connections: Look for connections between different parts of the text and try to identify patterns or themes. By making connections, you can gain a deeper understanding of the material and see how different ideas fit together.
5. Practice regularly: Like any skill, bionic reading takes practice. Over time, you'll develop stronger reading comprehension skills and be able to apply them more easily.

Want to give bionic reading a try? You can convert any of your favorite web pages into bionic style writing by trying a bionic reading app or downloading this extension. Here’s an example passage of what it might look like when you do: 

Bionic reading is a game-changing way to read, letting you quickly spot key phrases and essential info. It makes your reading faster and comprehension soar. Instead of reading every word, bionic reading helps you find your way in complex text, picking out the most important details, unlocking your inner bionic reader, and boosting your understanding of written words to new levels.

Did you find yourself speeding through the passage, unlocking your inner bionic reader? 

Other techniques to improve vocabulary and reading skills

Bionic reading is just one of many ways you can improve your reading skills, so give some other techniques a try to discover what best suits you and your reading style. Here are a few other suggestions: 

• Dual coding: This involves using both words and images to help you understand the text. For example, you might create a mind map or diagram to help you visualize the information.
• Role playing: This involves putting yourself in the shoes of the characters in the text to help you understand their perspective.
• Inquiry-based learning: This involves asking questions and actively reading to seek out answers and understand the text more deeply.
• Small groups: Reading with fellow classmates or a book club can encourage students and non-students alike to discuss themes, ask questions, and overall further their understanding of the text.

Improve your reading power with fun brain games today

Bionic reading is a powerful way to help you break down each part of a text and gain a clearer picture of its overall meaning. Plus, it works for anything you choose to read. So whether you are hoping to better understand a news article or quickly catch up before a meeting, bionic reading is a tool to consider using. 

Another tool to help boost your reading power? The Elevate app, available on iOS and Android. Elevate is an award-winning brain training app designed to keep you sharp and enhance cognitive function. It also comes with a library of reading games (like Processing and Extraction) to help you build effective reading comprehension and read faster. With both of these tools in your toolkit, you’ll be on your way to meeting—and surpassing—your reading goals in no time. 

So, what are you waiting for? Give bionic reading a try, and for an additional level-up, download the Elevate app today!