plagiarism

• Skimming and scanning are reading techniques to quickly gather specific information or get a general overview of a text.
• These techniques are useful for academic reading, where time is often limited and the amount of material is large.

Skimming

• Skimming is reading quickly to get a general sense of the main ideas and overall structure of a text.
• The goal of skimming is to understand the subject, purpose, and key arguments without reading every word.
• Skimming helps preview texts before detailed reading, review texts after reading, and decide if a text is relevant to research.
• When skimming, focus on:
  • The title and any headings or subheadings
  • The first paragraph (introduction) and last paragraph (conclusion)
  • The first sentence of each paragraph (topic sentences)
  • Visuals such as graphs, charts, or images and their captions
  • Words emphasized through bolding, italics, or underlining
• Read the targeted sections quickly, without pausing or rereading unless something seems particularly important.
• Pay attention to keywords and repeated terms.
• Consider the overall organization of the text (e.g., chronological, cause-effect, compare-contrast).
• Skimming helps predict content and identify the most important sections for closer reading.

Scanning

• Scanning is reading quickly to find specific information or keywords within a text.
• The purpose of scanning is to locate particular facts, figures, names, or phrases.
• Scanning is useful for answering specific questions, finding evidence to support a claim, or locating a particular piece of information.
• When scanning:
  • Identify the keywords or phrases being searched for.
  • Let eyes move quickly across the page, looking for those keywords or related terms.
  • Use headings, subheadings, and other organizational cues to guide the search.
  • Don't read every word; instead, focus on visually spotting the target information.
  • When finding a potential match, read the surrounding sentences more carefully to confirm that it is the needed information.
• Scanning requires a clear idea of the information being sought.

Differences Between Skimming and Scanning

• Skimming is for getting a general overview, while scanning is for finding specific details.
• Skimming involves reading key parts of the text; scanning involves visually searching for keywords.
• Skimming is broader and less focused than scanning.
• Scanning is more targeted and efficient when you know exactly what you are looking for.

Integrating Skimming and Scanning

• Skimming and scanning can be used together to efficiently read academic texts.
• Skim to get an overview of the text and identify the most relevant sections.
• Then, scan those sections for specific information or keywords.
• This approach assesses the value of a text quickly and locates the needed information without wasting time on irrelevant material.

Applications in Academic Contexts

• Research: Skimming helps quickly assess the relevance of sources, while scanning helps find specific evidence.
• Note-taking: Skimming before a lecture can help anticipate the main points, while scanning can help find specific information during the lecture.
• Exam preparation: Skimming helps review large amounts of material, while scanning helps find specific facts or formulas.
• Reading comprehension: Skimming and scanning can improve overall reading speed and comprehension by helping focus on the most important information.

Improving Skimming and Scanning Skills

• Practice regularly with different types of texts.
• Set a time limit for each skimming or scanning task to improve speed.
• Use a finger or pointer to guide eyes across the page.
• Try to anticipate the content and keywords being searched for.
• Review results to identify areas for improvement.
• With practice, skimming and scanning can become valuable tools for efficient academic reading.