Skimming and Scanning

Skimming

1. Introduction

• Is used to quickly identify the main ideas of a text.
• Reading the newspaper: you're probably not reading it word-by-word, instead you're scanning the text.
• 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.

2. Strategies

• read the first and last paragraphs using headings, summarizes and other organizers as they move down the page or screen.
• read the title, subtitles, subheading, and illustrations.
  first sentence of each paragraph (seeking specific information rather than reading for comprehension).
• to find dates, names, and places. It might be used to review graphs, tables, and charts.

Scanning

• is a technique you often use when looking up a word in the telephone book or dictionary.
• 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.
• When scanning, 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.
• Reading off a computer screen has become a growing concern. Research shows that people have more difficulty reading off a computer screen than off paper. Although they can read and comprehend at the same rate as paper, skimming on the computer is much slower than on paper.