Preview, how much?

Well, to some degree you will always preview a book. You're not going to just read or PhotoRead a book without having some idea of what it is about, like, whether it's fiction or non-fiction, even if it's in a language that you understand. Lengthy previews are out. No more than 8 minutes for a book and with PhotoReading it is more and more obvious that post viewing is more rewarding than previewing so a 90-second preview is all you'll need.

For short articles and emails a skilful reader will always preview anyway. Why spend 7 minutes reading an article when a 2-minute preview tells you it doesn't need a detailed read? 

Postviewing, what is it?

 Postviewing is a step after PhotoReading. We spend about 10 to 20-minutes maximum on this.

 For many PhotoReaders postviewing is preferable to previewing because they stumble during activation believing the only reason they feel familiar with the material is because of previewing.

 No previewing is better when previewing adds a stumbling block by getting the conscious mind involved too soon in the process and thus detaching the preconscious processor from taking an active part. Previewing creates a curiosity killed the cat syndrome and can inhibit beginners. Since it's difficult to measure this for a fact so I recommend if you feel the only familiarity you have with the text is because of previewing, switch to postviewing. A suggested time limit is 15 to 20 minutes maximum. This is to help you start forming some mind probing questions, build your curiosity and to consider your purpose again.

 Trigger words are the starting point to your activation. If the material is going to have some importance. For an exam or will be information you know you'll need to review later or want to know in some detail. Pull trigger words during your preview (or if you only did the 90-second preview then during a post view). Aim for at least 8 trigger words if you're a slow writer but the best target from a book is 20 to 25 (articles 5).You will need to write them down. Any word with meaning from the book is the right trigger word and you probably won't use them all. They are the starting point for your mind probing questions and as you activate other words might become more relevant and your list redundant because you've already answered those questions indirectly.

 For better long-term recall mind map. In the beginning mind map more because it trains your whole brain to become active with reading. When more of your mind is active understanding comes faster and you have more ways to recall the information later. As your skill develops you may not need Mind Mapping because more of your mind was active during the reading.

 People afraid of Mind Mapping or concept mapping, are afraid that they are doing it wrong. That is a quirky beauty of Mind Mapping it's unique as the individual creating them so there is nothing ever wrong with them. They can be ugly and still be functional. With Mind Mapping, have fun, use colours and draw symbols and picture. No art teacher is going to grade you, you don't even have to show them to anyone else. They are for your own recall and they do speed up activation but you have to try it and see.

 Mind Mapping™

(c) Alex K. Viefhaus 2006