Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Speed Reading Software.

Ratings

Features Set

The program’s features that help users learn to speed–read such as exercises, speed tests and comprehension tests, as well as additional features like tracking user’s progress and password protection.

Ease of Use

Speed–reading programs should be easy to navigate with “Back” and “Forward” buttons, a menu toolbar or a separate navigation window.

Ease of Installation/Setup

A direct download from the company's website or manual installation with a CD should only take a few minutes.

Help/Support

Telephone or email contacts for technical help and customer service. Emailed questions should be answered within a few days.

General Features

Tracks Progress

The program establishes a base speed–reading rate and keeps track of the exercises and tests the reader takes in each session as well as their current reading speed.

Progress Reports

The program will present the progress of a reader in a chart or by listing a history of all the exercises and tests he/she has taken.

Multiple Users

The program will track the progress for multiple users.

Cutomize Program Settings

Some programs allow readers to choose the reading text, choose the type of exercises and tests, manually adjust reading speeds or change the font size, style and color.

Password Protected

Users can enter a password to access the program.

Resize Text Screen

The text screen in some programs is too small for some readers, so the program allows the window to be manually resized.

Exercises and Tests

Reading Exercises

Exercises from stories, essays and other documents included in the program such as flash, highlighted word groups and keyword focus.

Eye Warm-up Exercises

Exercises that require readers to visually track an object that zigzags across the computer screen. These types of exercise are useful as a warm–up before speed–reading exercises begin.

Speed/Timed Tests

Reading tests that determine user’s reading–speed.

Comprehension Tests

Question and answer tests to determine if a user understands what they read at a higher speed.

Typed Exercises

Typed answers to exercises or comprehension tests.

Types of Exercises

Flash

A word or groups of words are flashed in the center of the computer screen.

Highlighted Word Groups

The full text is displayed on the computer screen while groups of words are highlighted. The highlight moves left to right along the text at a specific speed, which mimics a reader’s eye movements.

Horizontal Text

Text is displayed horizontally.

Vertical Text

Text is displayed in columns.

Display Full Text

The entire text is displayed on the computer screen.

Manual Speed Adjustment

Readers can manually increase or decrease the reading speed.

Automatic Speed Adjustment

The program will automatically increase or decrease the reading speed based on the reader’s progress.

Reading Levels

Children

Grade levels 1–8.

Adult

Grade levels 8–14.

Beginner

Simple text below an eighth grade level.

Intermediate

Text at or above an eighth grade level.

Advanced

Text at or above college level.

Expert

Text such as complicated technical manuals or legal documents.

Types of Texts

Included Texts

The program includes stories, essays and other documents.

Import Documents

Readers can import their own documents to use in reading exercises or tests.

Copy & Paste Text

Readers can copy and paste text from other documents or programs.

Change Text Format

Screen Color

The background color of the computer screen can be changed to make the text stand out.

Font Color

The font color can be changed to contrast with the background color to make the text stand out.

Font Size

The font size can be changed to make reading easier.

Font Style

The font style can be changed to make reading easier.

Technical Help/Support

Free Upgrades

People who buy the program will get free upgrades when they are released. Usually direct downloads from the company’s website.

Telephone Support

The company’s website provides telephone contact information for customer service or technical support.

eMail Support

The company’s website provides email contact information for customer service or technical support.

Online Help

The company’s website provides FAQs or a searchable knowledge base for questions related to the program.

Tutorials

How–to tutorials embedded in the program or downloaded from the company’s website.

User Manual / User Guide

A user manual or user guide is embedded in the program or downloaded from the company’s website.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions.

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