I have been experimenting with my morning reading routine lately. Instead of scanning the news silently, I’ve started reading a few paragraphs out loud. It feels different, though the science seems a bit mixed on whether it actually “locks in” information better for our age group.
My personal observation is that I am less likely to let my mind wander when I hear my own voice. It forces a level of engagement that silent reading often lacks.
It might just be the novelty of the habit, but it is worth trying if you frequently find yourself rereading the same sentence.
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I’ve heard this called the ‘production effect.’ Interesting to see it applied to daily habits.
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I do this with my grocery lists! If I say it out loud while writing, I rarely have to look at the paper while I’m in the store. Never thought to try it with the newspaper though.
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Does it make your throat tired? I find if I talk too much my voice gets a bit raspy these days.
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This is actually a technique used in proofreading. When you read your own writing out loud, you catch errors your eyes would normally skip over. It makes sense that it would help with memory retention too, as you’re using both your visual and auditory senses. I might give this a go with my book club selections.
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I tried this this morning after seeing your post. Definitely felt more ‘present’.
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Are you doing this with fiction or just non-fiction? I wonder if the type of material matters for the focus aspect.
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My husband and I started reading the Sunday paper to each other a few years ago. It’s become our favorite ritual. We definitely remember the articles better because we end up discussing them right after. It’s much better than just sitting in silence with our coffee.
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Great suggestion. Simple and free.
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