Skimming and Scanning Techniques for Online Reading

A Comparatively Different Way of Reading Text Online

In the digital age, reading text online has become a common practice. However, many readers tend to focus on the content without considering the various techniques and strategies that can enhance their reading experience. Two such techniques are skimming and scanning, which offer different ways to approach online text.

Skimming

Skimming is a reading technique that involves moving rapidly through the text, focusing on keywords, headings, boldface and italic type, indenting, bulleted and numbered lists, and other typographical cues. The main purpose of skimming is to gain a general understanding of the content, main ideas, and tone without delving into excessive detail. Skimming can be useful for previewing a text, deciding whether to read it thoroughly, or reviewing a selection heavy in facts. Some benefits of skimming include:

• Saving time: Skimming can quickly provide an overview of the material, allowing readers to focus on more important aspects or move on to other tasks.
• Identifying main ideas: Skimming can help readers grasp the main points and gist of a text without getting lost in unnecessary details.
• Scanning for specific information: Skimming can be useful for finding specific facts or information within a large body of text.

Scanning

Scanning is another reading technique where readers move their eyes over the entire text to locate specific keywords or pieces of information. Unlike skimming, scanning involves a more focused approach, with the reader searching for specific content within the text. Some benefits of scanning include:

• Quickly locating information: Scanning allows readers to find specific information from a large quantity of written material efficiently.
• Enhancing comprehension: By scanning for key words or phrases, readers can better understand the content and improve their overall comprehension.
• Connections to other texts: Scanning can help readers identify connections between different texts, such as text-to-text connections, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the material.

To effectively use skimming and scanning techniques, readers should first familiarize themselves with the reading material by gaining an overview and/or skimming the text. This approach allows readers to decide whether to proceed with a more in-depth reading or move on to other tasks.

In conclusion, skimming and scanning are two comparatively different ways of reading text online that can help readers save time, improve comprehension, and make connections between different texts. By incorporating these techniques into their reading habits, readers can enhance their overall reading experience and better understand the content they consume online.