Skimming versus Scanning

Purpose and Technique

Scanning
Purpose: to locate a specific detail
Examples
use the telephone directory
check a history text for the name
of George Bushs first secretary
of state
Rate: 1500+ words per minute
The Scanning Process
Familiarize yourself with the format
Fix your target in your mind
predict the form of the information
predict key words
Use a pacer to zoom down the page,
expecting the answer to jump out
Slow down to verify the answer
 Skimming
Purpose: to preview or overview
Examples
survey a textbook chapter before
reading
check the contents of an article to
see if it will be useful for a research
project
Rate: 1000 words per minute or more
The skimming process
Read the title
Read the introduction
Use graphic aids like bold-faced
headings
Read first sentences of paragraphs
Look for repeated key words
Read the conclusion