RSVP stands for rapid serial visual presentation. In reading software, it usually means showing one word or a small group of words at a time in the same place on the screen.
What does a WPM setting mean?
WPM means words per minute. At 300 WPM, a single word is displayed roughly every 200 milliseconds. This is a presentation rate, rather than a measurement of how much you understand or remember.
A reader can offer punctuation pauses and different chunk sizes, so the experience may vary even at the same WPM setting. Start at a comfortable pace and adjust while reading.
Why try it?
Some readers enjoy a steady rhythm and a simpler display. It can be useful to experiment with on familiar or light material. It also feels different from scrolling or turning pages, so give yourself time to decide whether it suits you.
When should you slow down?
Dense nonfiction, unfamiliar vocabulary, diagrams, and passages that require reflection often call for stopping or rereading. A fast display can make those tasks harder. Reading a book is more than keeping up with the screen.
After a short passage, pause and describe the main idea in your own words. If you cannot do that comfortably, reduce the pace or return to a normal reading view. Do not treat a larger WPM number as proof of improvement.
Try a short passage first
Use the browser demo on our homepage to see a simple word-at-a-time presentation. In Nimbus, you can adjust reading speed and chunk size and switch between normal reading and speed mode.
The aim is to find a reading pace that helps you stay with the text. Different material can deserve a different pace.