linereading

Linereading is a reading technique in which the reader processes text one line at a time. The approach is used as a scaffolding tool to improve focus, visual tracking, and initial comprehension, particularly for beginning readers, students with reading difficulties, or individuals who struggle with line awareness.

Practitioners commonly use a pointer—such as a finger, pen, or ruler—placed under the current line as the reader advances to the next. The aim is to minimize regressions, reduce losing place, and prevent unnecessary re-reading. Variants include a fixed reading window or software that highlights one line at a time. Line length, font size, and spacing are often adjusted to suit the reader.

Linereading is used in educational settings, early-literacy interventions, proofreading, and editing tasks where precise line-by-line work is advantageous. It is also used in language-learning contexts to emphasize line breaks and sentence structure.

Advocates argue that line-by-line processing can improve tracking, concentration, and confidence, and help learners break reading into manageable chunks. Critics note that it may slow reading pace for fluent readers and may not improve long-term comprehension or skimming ability. Effectiveness varies with individual differences and implementation.

Linereading intersects with research on eye movements, fixation patterns, and subvocalization. It relates to guided-reading strategies and other scanning approaches and is often discussed alongside broader reading-instruction frameworks.