Scanning

Definition: Scanning involves looking through a text to find specific information, such as a word, date, or number. This technique is used when you know exactly what you're looking for, and you need to locate it quickly without reading every word.

Example 1: You are reading a textbook and want to find the definition of a term like "photosynthesis." Instead of reading the whole chapter, you scan the headings, subheadings, and bold words until you find the definition.

Example 2: At an airport, you scan the departures board to find your flight number and gate information. You're not reading every flight detail but focusing on the ones relevant to you.

Skimming

Definition: Skimming is reading through a text quickly to get a general idea or overview of the content. It helps to understand the main points without going into deep details.

Example 1: You are skimming a newspaper article to get the gist of the story. You read the headline, the first few sentences, and scan through the subheadings or the first sentences of each paragraph to understand the key points.

Example 2: When reviewing a lengthy research paper for a presentation, you skim the introduction, conclusion, and any highlighted sections to grasp the main argument and findings before diving into details later.

In summary, scanning is about finding specific information, while skimming is about getting a general overview.