Chapter 11: Reading

Research, Reference, and

Collateral Assignments

Academic Reading
by Kathleen T. McWhorter
(4th edition)
Powerpoint by Gretchen Starks-Martin
St. Cloud State University, Minnesota
 Learning Objectives:
 To learn a systematic approach for
reading materials
 To develop alternative reading
strategies for reading assignments
 Skimming
 Scanning
Reading Strategies

 Skimming - a rapid reading technique

that enables you quickly to obtain main
ideas only.

 Scanning - a process of searching for

a specific piece of information.
 How to Skim
 Read the title.
 Read the subtitle or introductory
byline.
 Read the introductory paragraph.
 Read the headings.
 Read the first sentence of each
paragraph.
 How to Skim 2

 Read the remainder of the paragraph

 Read the title or legend of any maps,
graphs, charts, or diagrams.
 Read the last paragraph (conclusion or
summary).
Scanning is where you look for a
particular thing such as in a
telephone book, index, or
television listing.
 How to Scan
 Know Your Purpose
 Check the Organization
 Identify Clue Words
 Identify Probable Answer Locations
 Use a Systematic Pattern
 Confirm Your Answer
 Scanning Lists and Tables
 Become familiar with how the writer
has arranged the information.
 Scan for a specific word, phrase,
name, date, or place name, and it may
not be necessary to guess at the form
of your answer.
 Scanning Prose Materials
 Rely on identifying clue words and
predicting the form of your answer.

 Then let your eyes float through a

passage searching for clue words and
phrases.