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Skimming and Scanning

The document discusses techniques for skimming and scanning texts. Skimming involves quickly reading a text to identify main ideas at a faster pace than normal reading. Scanning involves quickly searching a text for specific words, phrases, dates or names. The document provides tips for using skimming and scanning such as reading titles, subtitles and first sentences of paragraphs when skimming and searching for keywords when scanning. It also discusses how to approach difficult texts by slowing down, rereading or translating material into your own words.

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Izzatul Hani
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437 views

Skimming and Scanning

The document discusses techniques for skimming and scanning texts. Skimming involves quickly reading a text to identify main ideas at a faster pace than normal reading. Scanning involves quickly searching a text for specific words, phrases, dates or names. The document provides tips for using skimming and scanning such as reading titles, subtitles and first sentences of paragraphs when skimming and searching for keywords when scanning. It also discusses how to approach difficult texts by slowing down, rereading or translating material into your own words.

Uploaded by

Izzatul Hani
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Skimming and scanning

THE PURPOSES Skimming is used to quickly identify the main ideas of a text. Scanning is a technique you often use when looking up a word in the telephone book or dictionary. Scanning is also used when you first find a resource to determine whether it will answer your questions. THE PROCESS Skimming When you read the newspaper, you're probably not reading it word-by-word, instead you're skimming the text. 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. Some people read the first and last paragraphs using headings, summarizes and other organizers as they move down the page or screen. You might read the title, subtitles, subheading, and illustrations. Consider reading the first sentence of each paragraph. This technique is useful when you're seeking specific information rather than reading for comprehension. Skimming works well to find dates, names, and places. It might be used to review graphs, tables, and charts. Scanning 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 also used when you first find resource to determine whether it will answer your questions. Once you've scanned the document, you might go back and skim it.

What to do? Scan the entire reading, then focus on the most interesting or relevant parts to read in detail. Pay attention to when you can skim and when you need to understand every word. Write as you read. Take notes and talk back to the text. Explicate (explain in detail) and mark up the pages. Write down what interests or bores you. Speculate about why.

If you get stuck in the reading: Think and write about where you got stuck Contemplate why that particular place was difficult and how you might break through the block Record and explore your confusion. Confusion is important because its the first stage in understanding. When the going gets difficult, and you dont understand the reading, slow down and reread the sections. Dos in reading long texts/books: Break long assignments into segments. Read 10 pages, then do something else. Later, read the next 10 pages and so on Read prefaces and summaries to learn important details about the books. Look at the table of contents for information about the structure and movement of ideas. Use the index to look up specific names, places, ideas. Translate difficult material into your own words. Use alternative way.

How to skim Look for the author's use of organizers such as numbers, letters, steps, or the words, first, second, or next. Look for words that are bold faced, italics, or in a different font size, style, or color. Sometimes the author will put key ideas in the margin.

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