Speed reading using Spritz has a cost: limits when reading a short text

Rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) can be used to present text one or a few words at a time to a central position on a display. Recent studies using Spritz, a recent application of RSVP, seem to indicate a speed-comprehension trade-off beginning at about a 250 word per minute (wpm) rate when reading a text for more than five minutes. The objective of the present experimental study is to compare inferential comprehension when subjects read in a traditional way or using Spritz at different nominal frequency rates (250, 350, and 450 wpm). Results confirm a comprehension difficulty even in a very short text when the presentation rate exceeds 250 wpm. This result should be considered as a guideline to set the optimal presentation rate when reading a short text on a personal device (such as a smartphone or smartwatch) using Spritz.