MEETING 3: READING STRATEGY (SCANNING)

OBJECTIVE:

Finding a specific and a general info or main idea from a text by using reading strategy such
as scanning.

MATERIAL DESCRIPTION

READING STRATEGY : SCANNING

DISCUSSION

Scanning is very-speed reading that you do when you are looking for a specific piece
of information. When you scan, you have a question in mind. You do not read every word,
only key words that will answer your question. Practice in scanning will help you learn to
skip over unimportant words so that you can read faster.

Scanning is another useful tool for speeding up your reading. Unlike skimming, when
scanning, you look only for a specific fact or piece of information without reading
everything. You scan when you look for your favorite show listed in the cable guide, for your
friend’s phone number in a telephone book, and for the sports scores in the newspaper. For
scanning to be successful, you need to understand how your material is structured as well as
comprehend what you read so you can locate the specific information you need. Scanning
also allows you to find details and other information in a hurry.

Because you already scan many different types of material in your daily life, learning
more details about scanning will be easy. Establishing your purpose, locating the appropriate
material, and knowing how the information is structured before you start scanning is
essential.
 The material you scan is typically arranged in the following ways: alphabetically,
chronologically, non-alphabetically, by category, or textually. Alphabetical information is
arranged in order from A to Z, while chronological information is arranged in time or
numerical order.

Information can be also be arranged in non- alphabetical order, such as a television

listing, or by category, listings of like items such as an auto parts catalog. Sometimes
information is located within the written paragraphs of text, also known as a textual sense, as
in an encyclopedia entry.

Learning to use your hands while scanning is very helpful in locating specific
information. Do you do anything with your hands to locate a word in a dictionary? To find a
meeting time on your calendar? To read a train or bus schedule? Using your hand or finger is
extremely helpful in focusing your attention and keeping your place while scanning a column
of material.

STEPS IN SCANNING
 Keep in mind at all times what you are searching for. If you hold the image of the
word or idea clearly in mind, it is likely to appear more clearly than the surrounding
words.
 Anticipate in what form the information is likely to appear, e.g. number, proper noun,
etc.
 Analyze the organization of the content before starting to scan.
 If the material is familiar or fairly brief, you may be able to scan the entire
article in a single search.
 If the material is lengthy or difficult, a preliminary skimming may be
necessary to determine which part of the article to scan.
 Let your eyes run rapidly over several lines at a time
 When you find the sentence that has the information you seek, read the entire
sentence.

Exercise 1
Scan the TV guide to answer the questions that follow.
 CHANNEL 4 CHANNEL 7 CHANNEL 9
6:00 : News Today 6:00 : USA in Sports 6:00 : Everybody Loves
In-depth coverage of national News show covering Ray
and international news. competitive team sports at
the national level. 6:30 : The Nanny
6:30 : Kramer vs. Kramer
(1979) **** 6:30 : Wheel of Fortune 7:00 : Night Business
Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Report
Streep 7:00 : The Associate ** Report on worldwide
A man fights for custody of Whoopi Goldberg, Dianne financial market.
his son after his abandons the Wiest.
family. A Wall Street whiz invents a 8:00 : The Apprentice
‘PG’ male partner to attract clients The teams must introduce a
for fledgling investment new Trump product into the
8:30 : Europe Today business. marketplace.
This week, the southern port
city of Marseille, France is 9:00 : Friends 9:00 : Ghost (1990) ***
explored. Patrick Swayze, Whoopi
9:30 : Will & Grace Goldberg.
9:00 : Who Wants To Be a A slain Manhattan man
Millionaire? 10:00 : American reaches out to his fiancee,
Soundtrack: Rhythm, Love with a medium as his middle
10:00 : Twilight Zone and Soul woman.
Love songs of the 1960s and “PG-13”
10:30 : I Love Lucy 70s; performers include Adult situations, language,
Aretha Franklin, Mary violence
11:00 : The Ghost and Mrs. Wilson and Gloria Gaynor.
Muir *** 10:00 : Phone Booth (2002)
Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison. 11:00 : Carribean ***
London Widow loves Adventures Colin Farrell, Keifer
cottage’s sea captain’s ghost. This week, we travel to the Sytherland.
“PG” Exuma Islands of Bermuda A sniper traps a publicist in
 New York phone booth.“R”

Answer the following questions based on the TV Guide!

See how fast you can find the information.

1. If you are a Whoopi Goldberg fan, can you see both of her movies? If so, on what
channel can you see them?
..........................................................................................................................................
2. If you want to know how the stock market performed today, what show should you
watch?
..........................................................................................................................................
3. Which French city is spotlighted on the travel show?
..........................................................................................................................................
4. Amy wants to watch a movie with her younger sister who is still 12 years old. Which
movie or movies would be most appropriate?
..........................................................................................................................................
5. How many travel shows are airing today?
..........................................................................................................................................
6. How many game shows are playing tonight? Which one?
..........................................................................................................................................
7. Which movie gets the best rating this evening?
..........................................................................................................................................

VOCABULARY BUILDING
Match the each word in the left side with the meaning in the right side!

1. Custody (N) ......... a. The action or process of arriving

2. Abandon (V) .........
3. Fledgling (N) .........
4. Captivity (N) .........
b. A small temporary tent at a market, fair or exhibition,
used for selling goods, providing information or
staging shows.
c. A small wood or other group of trees
d. A thing that is a worth buying because it may be
profitable or useful in the future.
 5. Arrival (N) ......... e. Cease to support or look after (someone).
6. Grove (N) ......... f. The condition of being imprisoned or confined.
7. Booth (N) ......... g. A person or organization that is immature,
inexperienced, or underdeveloped.
8. Investment (N) ......... h. Responsibility for the care, maintenance, and
upbringing of a child or children.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Osborne, J. (2006). CAHSE on Target. California : University of California Press

2. Yaworski, J. (2006). Getting Ahead: Fundamental of College Reading. New York :
Pearson Longman