Skimming

Definition: Skimming is a reading technique used to get a general sense of the content quickly. The goal is to grasp the main ideas and overall structure without reading every word.

Example 1: Imagine you’re going through a long report to decide if it's relevant for your research. You might skim the introduction, look at the headings and subheadings, read the first sentence of each paragraph, and review the conclusion. This gives you an overview of the report’s content and whether it contains useful information for your needs.

Example 2: When you’re checking your email, you might skim through the subject lines and the first few lines of each message to identify which ones require immediate attention. You’re not reading every email in detail but getting a quick sense of what each message is about.

Scanning

Definition: Scanning is a reading technique used to find specific information quickly. You search for particular words, phrases, or data points within the text.

Example 1: Suppose you have a cookbook and you want to find a recipe for chocolate chip cookies. You would scan the table of contents or index for keywords like "chocolate chip cookies" or simply "chocolate chip" to locate the page where the recipe is listed.

Example 2: If you’re studying for a test and need to find a definition in a textbook, you would scan the relevant chapter or index for keywords related to the term you're looking for. For instance, if you’re looking for the definition of “photosynthesis,” you might scan the section headings and highlighted terms in the chapter until you find the specific definition.

In summary, skimming helps you get an overview or general idea of content quickly, while scanning allows you to pinpoint specific details or information.