Skimming and Scanning

Efficient and Flexible Reading

You will learn:

To skim to get an overview of an

article.

To scan to locate specific information

quickly.
 Skimming
is reading selectively Reading some
to get a general idea parts/skip others.
of what an article is Looking for the
about. most important
To find out:- ideas.
- purpose of a text Reading for main
- what needs to be ideas.
read Skipping facts and
- whats important details.
- next organization
 Purposes for Skimming
Skim through a Skim a newspaper
review of the metric report if you wish
system if you only to understand
already are familiar the main events.
with it.
Skim a section of a Skim a movie
review to make a
reference book if decision on seeing
you are looking for a movie.
specific information.
 How to Skim

Read the title.subtitle or introductory

byline.
Read the headings, sub-headings,
illustrations
Read the first sentence of each paragraph.
Read the key words.
Read the title or legend of graphics.
Read the first & last paragraph or
summary.
Use Skimming Effectively

Preview skimming
Overview
skimming
Review skimming
Limitations of Skimming

Cannot expect to retain facts and

details.
Expect 50% comprehension rate.
Use only when reading for general
concepts.
Alternating Skimming and
Reading
In a given article, you can skim
several sections until you come to
a section that is of particular
interest or that fulfills your
purpose for reading.
Skimming Internet Sources
Scroll through the document by
using the down arrow or page
down key.
Scroll through the entire
document quickly, noticing the
major headings, graphics, and
length before you read.
Skimming Textbook Chapters

Focus on:
Chapter objectives and
introductions.
Headings and typographical
aids.
Graphic and visual aids.
Review and discussion questions.
Skimming Reference Sources

Skim for the:

Date.
Organization of the source.
Topical index.
Skimming Newspaper Articles
Read the:
Title.
Opening paragraphs.
First sentences of remaining
paragraphs.
Skimming Magazine Articles

Read the:
Title/subtitle/byline.
Opening paragraphs.
Photograph/captions.
Headings/first
sentences.
Last several
Read Photograph
Captions.
paragraphs.
Skimming Nonfiction Books
Read the:
Front and back cover of the
book jacket.
Authors credentials.
Table of contents.
Preface.
First and last chapters.
 Scanning
Scanning is searching for a
specific piece of information;
your only purpose is to locate
that information.
 Scanning
1. Check the Organization.
2. Form Specific Questions.
3. Anticipate Word Clues.
4. Identify Likely Answer
Locations.
5. Use a Systematic Pattern.
6. Confirm Your Answer.
 Scanning Columnar
Materials
1. Check overall organization.
2. Scan for a specific word, phrase,
name, date, or place name.
3. Use the arrow scanning pattern
straight down the column.
4. Focus on the first letter of each line.
 Scanning Prose Materials
1. Let your eyes drift quickly through
a passage searching for clue words
and phrases.
2. Move your eyes across sentences
and entire paragraphs, noticing
only the clue words to locate an
answer.
 Summary Questions

1. What is skimming?
2. What steps should you follow to
skim effectively?
3. What are the three types of
skimming?
4. What is scanning?
5. What steps are involved in the
process of scanning?