Skimming and Scanning

Skimming and Scanning
Skimming
1. Definition
Skimming means reading selectively to get a general idea of what an article is about and to become familiar with the most important ideas in it.
2. Requirement (speed and comprehension)
comprehension level is about 50-70%;
speed should be about twice as fast as the average reading speed or even faster.
Purpose of Skimming
Skim a newspaper report if you wish only to understand the main events.
Skim a book to see if it has information of your interest or not.
Skim to get gist of the book, paper or article.
Cannot expect to retain facts and details.
Expect 50% comprehension rate.
Use only when reading for general concepts.
Scanning
1. Definition
Scanning in reading is a technique for quickly looking through reading material to locate a particular piece of information --- a fact, a date, a name, a statistic.
Scanning is a technique you often use when looking up a word in a dictionary.
2. Differences between skimming and scanning: 1). For skimming, in most cases we do not know what the material is about beforehand; for scanning, we usually have some idea about the content of the material beforehand.
2). Purpose for skimming---to get the general idea; purpose for scanning---to sort out the exact information we need.3). For skimming, comprehension rate is about 50-70%; for scanning, you should be 100% correct about the information you need.
3. How to scan
Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases which you actually need. 1. check the organization 2. remember your purpose3. anticipate clue words4. identify likely answer locations5. use a systematic pattern6. confirm your answer
Scanning Prose material
Let your eyes drift quickly through a passage searching for clue words and phrases.
Move your eyes across sentences and entire paragraphs, noticing only the clue words to locate an answer.