Scanning and skimming are two important reading techniques that help readers quickly extract information from a text without reading every word. These skills are particularly useful when dealing with large amounts of information or when time is limited.
Scanning is the process of quickly searching through a text to find specific information or keywords. When scanning, readers move their eyes rapidly across the page, looking for particular words, phrases, or numbers. This technique is useful when you know exactly what information you're looking for within a text.
Example of scanning: Imagine you're looking for a specific date in a history textbook. You would quickly move your eyes across the pages, focusing on numbers and dates until you find the one you're searching for, without reading the surrounding text in detail.
Skimming, on the other hand, involves quickly reading through a text to get a general idea of its content and main points. When skimming, readers focus on headings, subheadings, topic sentences, and any emphasized text to grasp the overall meaning and structure of the material. This technique is helpful when you want to determine whether a text is relevant to your needs or to get a broad understanding of its content before reading it more thoroughly.
Example of skimming: Let's say you're researching a topic for an essay and have a stack of articles to go through. You would skim each article by reading the title, abstract, headings, and conclusion to determine if it contains relevant information for your essay. This allows you to quickly identify which articles are worth reading in more detail and which ones you can set aside.
Both scanning and skimming are valuable skills that can significantly improve reading efficiency and help manage large amounts of information. These techniques are especially useful in academic and professional settings where time management and information processing are crucial. By mastering these skills, readers can quickly locate specific details or gain a general understanding of a text, saving time and improving overall comprehension.