Reading backwards: A more efficient method?

by Aaron

I often read newspaper or magazine articles backwards (from finish to start). And I have two theories why.

The first theory is that when you read from page 1, you know there’s still a lot left. You’ve only just begun. But when you start at the end of the article, well… you’re already done. Now you’re just backtracking. It feels faster to finish!

The second theory is that we’re so used to the “conclusion” being at the end of the article. I only have so much time to read, so let’s cut to the chase and get right at the heart of the article: the 5 sentences that sum up the 3 pages that came before it. Once I’ve read that conclusion, I can pretty much stop reading. If I’m interested, I’ll keep reading back.

So is reading backwards actually more efficient? I think it might be. How about you?

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4 Comments 

Comments

4 Responses to “Reading backwards: A more efficient method?”

  1. Ryan on February 14th, 2008 8:35 pm

    cixelsyd er’uoy ,yroeht a evah I yeh

  2. Aaron on February 15th, 2008 9:24 am

    Har har har.

  3. brian on April 5th, 2009 4:43 pm

    Thats funny, I’ve never come up with a theory for why, I’ve just always done it.

  4. Zim on August 5th, 2009 5:03 pm

    I do that too! I don’t know why… Probably because it feels faster?