scanning

Scanning is a reading technique used when you're looking for specific information quickly. Instead of reading everything word by word, you allow your eyes to run over the text to find key details, such as names, dates, or specific facts. It’s useful when you know what information you need but don’t know where it is in a long passage.

Example 1:

You're reading a newspaper, and you want to find the results of a particular football match. You don't read every word but instead scan the sports section for team names or the match score.

Example 2:

In a textbook, you’re searching for the definition of a particular term. Instead of reading every line, you quickly scan for the term in bold or italicized text, headings, or bullet points.

Skimming

Skimming is a technique used to get the general idea of the content quickly. You read only key parts of the text such as the title, headings, subheadings, and the first and last sentences of each paragraph. It helps in understanding the broader concept without delving into every detail.

Example 1:

You pick up a magazine and skim the articles by reading the headlines, introduction, and summary. This gives you an overall sense of what the article is about without reading it entirely.

Example 2:

While reviewing a lengthy research paper, you skim through the abstract, conclusion, and key sections to get an idea of the main points and findings, without reading the entire paper in depth.

Both techniques help save time and improve efficiency, especially when dealing with large volumes of information.