Difference between Skimming and Scanning

Key Difference: Skimming and scanning are two different techniques for fast reading. Skimming is all about
reading the article in order to get the general idea of it. On the other way, scanning is about locating a specific
text or phrase in a document.

Reading is often treated as a technique. People read an

article, book, etc, in order to gain some information or knowledge. Many times, one needs to
read at a faster rate due to various reasons like lack of time, etc.

Skimming and scanning are two such fast reading techniques adopted by a reader.  Skimming
often refers to the way in which one reads at a faster rate to gain the general idea about the text.
It does not involve a thorough reading and understanding. However, it often depends upon the
skills of a reader to understand the text quickly.  Generally, a reader quickly reads all the words
or the text that seems to be important and then tries to gain the general idea about the document.
At times, when time is a constraint, skimming is achieved by reading that text only which is
considered to be relevant. For example, one may read only the topics.

On the other hand, scanning generally refers to that technique when

one looks into the document for searching some specific text. One does not need to read the
document fully. One requires the skill of pattern recognition for a speedy scanning. Many people
use it in day to day life – while searching a particular phone number in phone directory, etc.

 
Skimming is about going through the whole article, whereas scanning is just finding out the
specific text or pattern. Therefore, scanning requires a higher understanding of word recognition
than compared to scanning. Unlike skimming, in scanning the reader is already aware of the text
he wants to search in the document. However, in skimming, the reader usually has no or little
idea about the document. Skimming is more about reading and understanding, whereas scanning
is all about searching or finding. Therefore, both are different from each other.

Comparison between Skimming and Scanning:

  Skimming
A technique for fast reading. A
Definition reader reads the article in order to
get the general idea of it.
 Ability to go through the
article quickly
 Ability to understand what
Requirement
can be relevant and not in
reading
Scanning
A technique in which a reader tries to
search a particular text or word in the
document
 Ability to find quickly
 Use of fingers can be effective
while looking for a  specific
information
 Focus on key words

 Generally to get the  Generally to search a telephone

general idea of an article number from a list
Purpose  To sample a book before  To find a particular quotation in
actually purchasing it a book

 Read the title carefully

 First paragraph and
introduction need to be
read carefully
 Emphasis on the reading
of first sentence of every
paragraph
 Heading and sub headings
should be read
Method
 Pictures, charts or graphs
should be noticed
 Words or phrase that are
italicized or boldface must
be noticed
 Summary or last
paragraph is important to
understand the conclusion  
 Reader must be clearly aware of
the specific information that
needs to be searched in the
document
 Clues must be used to find the
answer – like if one is searching
for a date, then only numbers
should be looked for
 Headings can be helpful in
suggesting the location of the
desired information
 One should be careful in reading
and skipping the sections of the
passage