When you read, do you see words in your head, or do pictures form?

2017-02-18T21:24:09-05:00

I had occasion to discuss this with a colleague recently, and her answer surprised me, causing me to ask some friends and family, so I thought I'd broaden my sample pool. How about it, RP?

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Feb 18 at 2017 9:25 PM

2017-02-18T21:25:55-05:00

Usually pictures form while I am reading SN Greg Wright

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 18 at 2017 9:27 PM

2017-02-18T21:27:23-05:00

depending on what I am reading... Especially "Clive Cussler's" Action Adventures...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 9:38 PM

2017-02-18T21:38:18-05:00

I hear the words in my head, and I form pictures if the narrative is visually detailed.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Feb 18 at 2017 9:44 PM

2017-02-18T21:44:28-05:00

SN Greg Wright I usually get situations from some words and pictures with certain words that are common.
I get nothing from unusual or "big"words,since i have to look them up.LOL

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 9:47 PM

2017-02-18T21:47:20-05:00

I focus on the words, but I do visualize some of the time, especially if it is something that I am familiar with or like.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Feb 18 at 2017 9:50 PM

2017-02-18T21:50:48-05:00

I focus on the words, but I don't have images in my mind unless I'm reading something descriptive

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Feb 18 at 2017 10:00 PM

2017-02-18T22:00:46-05:00

SN Greg Wright My undivided attention is usually the words foremost and at times, I visualize pictures.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Feb 18 at 2017 10:11 PM

2017-02-18T22:11:59-05:00

Words for technical articles, mainly. When reading fiction I alternate between static images and
full-blown video-type scenarios (especially for science fiction, Game of Thrones, and action thrillers).

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 18 at 2017 10:43 PM

2017-02-18T22:43:35-05:00

SN Greg Wright For real reading; I transport myself into the situation described. If anyone interrupts my 'trance', I almost jump out of my skin. I really immerse myself into a 'good' book!

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Feb 18 at 2017 11:25 PM

2017-02-18T23:25:04-05:00

Pictures - especially when reading WEB Griffin

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Feb 19 at 2017 12:28 AM

2017-02-19T00:28:31-05:00

Not only do I see live action pictures, but when I write my fiction books, I write the movie scenes that I see in my head.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Feb 19 at 2017 12:59 AM

2017-02-19T00:59:07-05:00

I hear the words

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Feb 19 at 2017 2:54 AM

2017-02-19T02:54:24-05:00

Pictures.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 19 at 2017 4:20 AM

2017-02-19T04:20:57-05:00

I had a Night Fright Not 3 days ago. My Demons, My Pictures are very much Alive. I haven;t completely escaped My Demons. Probably Never Will.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Feb 19 at 2017 5:05 AM

2017-02-19T05:05:36-05:00

Pictures.

Response by Justice Cucci made Feb 19 at 2017 9:54 AM

2017-02-19T09:54:42-05:00

It's almost like a movie plays in my head

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 19 at 2017 12:47 PM

2017-02-19T12:47:22-05:00

I have an unusual background, having learned reading as a grade-schooler using phonics and later in life working as a magazine editor. I gained a great interest in words and the history of American English. When I read almost anything, I'm editing as I go. I look at spelling, word choice, and sentence structure without really thinking about it. I have to discipline myself to focus on meaning. When I look for and at meaning, then my brain processes the word pictures into images when appropriate. (If the author describes a person or place, I try to picture them.) For more technical prose, I try to organize ideas into coherent outlines. Some authors make this easier than others. Poetry. Well I'm terrible with poetry. I admire those who can compose poetry.

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Feb 19 at 2017 12:58 PM

2017-02-19T12:58:27-05:00

It really depends on what I am reading, If it is a novel or Biography it pretty much creates a picture in my mind. If it is a technical procedure or report of some sort I tend to analyze the words as I read them for full understanding of what is actually being proposed or reported.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 20 at 2017 6:36 AM

2017-02-20T06:36:32-05:00

Pictures, I have an imagination that scares me sometimes.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Feb 21 at 2017 12:40 PM

2017-02-21T12:40:40-05:00

SN Greg Wright It depends upon what is being read. Right now, I am reading a book about the Proto Indo-Europeans, and it is a non fiction book with a lot of linguistics, archaeology, sociology, and history. This book does not translate to images, rather it forces me to think about the ideas that are on the page. The words become thoughts, questions, and ideas. When I read novels, the words become imagery based on what is on the page. The better the author does at describing the scene the clearer the image. The more immersed I am in the story, the clearer the image. Then I read theological books, and those books I like to take the information, and meditate on it to determine if it actually has a practical use in my beliefs. So as I say it depends on the book, but overall it is a combination of images and words.

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Apr 13 at 2017 8:17 PM

2017-04-13T20:17:35-04:00

Reading a good book always produces pictures if it is good enough to have the power to draw me into what is happening in the book.