Scanning and skimming are two reading techniques used to quickly gather information from a text, but they serve different purposes.

1. Scanning

Scanning is a technique where you look for specific information in a text without reading the entire content. It’s about locating particular words, phrases, dates, or data quickly.

Examples:

Example 1: If you're searching for a phone number in a long contact list, you scan through the list until you find the number you need.

Example 2: When looking through a textbook for the definition of a term, you scan the pages to find the specific word you’re looking for.


2. Skimming

Skimming involves quickly reading through a text to get the general idea or the gist of the content. It's a faster process than regular reading and doesn’t require in-depth understanding.

Examples:

Example 1: When you pick up a newspaper and skim through the headlines to get a sense of the major news stories of the day.

Example 2: Before diving into a book or research paper, you skim the introduction and conclusion to understand the key points or arguments presented.