Skimming Reading

A. Definition of Skimming

Skimming involves reading a text very quickly and superficially in order to get a general idea of the content. Skimming is done at a speed three to four times faster than normal reading. People often skim when they have lots of material to read in a limited amount of time. Use skimming when you want to see if an article may be of interest in your research.

B. Why skim?

Ø Improves other reading rates : Learning to skim rapidly can help you improve your speed for study reading and average reading as well.

Ø Keeps you informed : Use skimming to building background knowledge. Skimming will help you keep informed in political affairs or other areas when you don't have the time to read very much.

Ø Speeds supplementary assignments : Skim supplementary material and you may be pleased and surprised to find how much information you will comprehend.

Ø Increases your sources of reference : Skim to build up your knowledge of reference materials. Skim journals or reports in your major field of study when you don't have the time to read them thoroughly. Knowing the article exists, the author, and perhaps its main idea can be important. Citing the main idea of the article in class or in discussion with your professor will make you seem very well informed. In addition, if you want to use the article later, you will know where to find it when you are ready for more detailed perusal.

Ø Brings useful material to your attention : People who have the habit of skimming a large amount of material will invariably come across certain articles or parts of books that are of great importance to them. These important parts can be read more carefully, but if you had never developed the habit of skimming, you might never have become aware of this important information.

C. When to Use Skimming

Ø When one needs to know the overall sense or the main ideas of a text.

Ø When there are large amounts of reading and limited time to review it in detail.

Ø When one is seeking specific information rather than reading for comprehension or pleasure.

Ø When it is necessary to find out if it is a book should be read at all or in more detail.

Ø When one needs to know if a text may be of interest in one’s research.

D.  Steps for skimming

Ø Read for main ideas only (not details).

Ø Read the introduction.

Ø Read topic sentences (usually the first sentence in a paragraph).

Ø Read the conclusion.

Ø Read any headings.

Here's an example of scanning for specific information : Try this skimming exercise.

READ MORE → Skimming Reading

Scanning Reading

A.  Definition of Scanning

Scanning is a reading skill used to locate key or specific information quickly, eg dates, numbers, examples & definitions. When you read the newspaper, you're probably not reading it word-by-word, instead you're scanning the text. You search for key words or ideas. In most cases, you know what you're looking for, so you're concentrating on finding a particular answer. Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases. Scanning is also used when you first find a resource to determine whether it will answer your questions. Once you've scanned the document, you might go back and skim it.

B. Why scan?

Ø In simple material : to find particular names, facts, words, numbers, and specific information

Ø In less simple material : to find services, data, resources, when exact wording is not available

Ø In complex material : to visualize and follow an argument, style, reasons, motifs, patterns, support for inference, evidence of sound logic/ reasoning, evidence of faulty reasoning, propaganda, and/or bias

Ø On the web :  Scanning is a method often employed to sift through the plethora of information available on the web.

C. Types of materials appropriate for scanning:

Ø Simple : lists, dictionaries, white pages, tables, signs, classified ads

Ø Less simple : yellow pages, reference works, tables of contents, indices (indexes), web pages

Ø Complex : continuous prose - documents, articles, books, long descriptions

D. Steps for scanning

Ø Look for key words, or words that are repeated.

Ø Look for definitions.

Ø Look for highlighted words, eg words in bold or italic.

Ø Look for numbers, eg dates and statistics.

Ø Look for examples, including diagrams.

Here's an example of scanning for specific information: Try this scanning exercise.

READ MORE → Scanning Reading