Explanation of the two reading strategies Skimming and Scanning

1. Skimming
and
Scanning
N. Valdelomar

2. Skimming and Scanning
• Skimming and scanning are two different strategies for speed
reading.
• They are each used for different purposes.
• They are at the fast end of the speed-reading range, while
studying is at the slow end.
• People who know how to skim and scan are flexible readers.
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3. Skimming or Scanning?
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+ Skimming is reading rapidly in order to get a general
overview of the material.
+ Scanning is reading rapidly in order to find specific facts.
+ While skimming tells you what general information is
within a section, scanning helps you locate a particular
fact.
+ Skimming is like snorkeling, and scanning is more like
pearl diving.

4. When to Skim
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+ When you have a lot of material to read but little time.
+ To review the material you learned before an exam,
but you don’t want to reread everything.
+ To preview (reading before you read), to determine the
main idea from a long selection you don't wish to read.
+ When trying to find source material for a research
paper.

5. How to Skim
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In general follow these steps:
+ Read the table of contents or chapter overview to learn the main divisions of ideas.
+ Glance through the main headings in each chapter just to see a word or two. Read
the headings of charts and tables.
+ Read the entire introductory paragraph and then the first and last sentence only of
each following paragraph to locate the main idea.
+ Stop and quickly read the sentences containing keywords indicated in boldface or
italics.
+ When you think you have found something significant, stop to read the entire
sentence to make sure. Then go on the same way. Resist the temptation to stop to
read details you don't need.
+ Read chapter summaries when provided.

6. When to Scan
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+ When your aim is to find specific pieces of information
and particular facts.
+ To answer a specific question you have in mind, ignoring
unrelated information.

7. How to Scan
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+ Know what you're looking for. Decide on a few key words
or phrases–search terms, if you will.
+ Look for only one keyword at a time. If you use multiple
keywords, do multiple scans.
+ Let your eyes float rapidly down the page until you find the
word or phrase you want.
+ When your eye catches one of your keywords, read the
surrounding material carefully.

8. 8
BASIS FOR
COMPARISON
SKIMMING SCANNING
Meaning Skimming is a way of reading
something in a fast manner so as to
grasp the main points.
Scanning means to look carefully and
quickly at the written material so as to
locate something.
Method of
Reading
Quick Selective
Involves Reading out the maximum content
in minimum time.
Finding out the required data.
Objective To take a birds-eye view of the text. To spot and cast specific facts.
Familiarity The reader is not familiar with the
text.
The reader knows what he is
searching for.
Comparison Chart

12. The way to get
started is to quit
talking and
begin doing.
Walt Disney
12
INFORMATION TAKEN FROM:
https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-
management-and-student-
affairs/center-for-academic-
support-and-advisement/tips-for-
academic-success/skimming
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/skills
wise/skimming-and-
scanning/zd39f4j
https://keydifferences.com/differen
ce-between-skimming-and-
scanning.html
http://www.butte.edu/departments/
cas/tipsheets/readingstrategies/ski
mming_scanning.html#:~:text=Use
%20skimming%20to%20decide%
20if,to%20read%20it%20at%20all.