Skimming is used to quickly identify the main ideas of a
text. When you read the newspaper, you; 're probably not
reading it word-by-word, instead you're scanning 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.
There are many strategies that can be used when
skimming. 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 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