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Chapter 13: Skimming and Scanning

Efficient and Flexible Reading, 7/e

Kathleen T. McWhorter

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In this chapter you will learn:

To skim to get an overview of an article.

To scan to locate specific information quickly.

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SkimmingSkimming is

reading selectively to get a general idea of what an article is about.

Read some parts/skip others.

Look for the most important ideas.

Read for main ideas.

Skip facts and details.

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Purposes for SkimmingSkim through a

review of the metric system if you already are familiar with it.

Skim a section of a reference book if you are looking for specific information.

Skim a newspaper report if you wish only to understand the main events.

Skim a movie review to make a decision on seeing a movie.

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How to Skim

Read the title.Read the subtitle or introductory byline.Read the headings.Read the first sentence of each paragraph.Read the key words.Read the title or legend of graphics.Read the last paragraph or summary.

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Use Skimming Effectively

Preview skimmingOverview skimmingReview skimming

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Limitations of Skimming

Cannot expect to retain facts and details.

Expect 50% comprehension rate.Use only when reading for general

concepts.

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Alternating Skimming and Reading

In a given article, you can skim several sections until you come to a section that is of particular interest or that fulfills your purpose for reading.

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Skimming Internet Sources

Scroll through the document by using the down arrow or page down key.

Scroll through the entire document quickly, noticing the major headings, graphics, and length before you read.

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Skimming Textbook Chapters

Focus on:Chapter objectives and introductions.Headings and typographical aids.Graphic and visual aids.Review and discussion questions.

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Skimming Reference Sources

Skim for the:Date.Organization of the source.Topical index.

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Skimming Newspaper Articles

Read the:Title.Opening paragraphs.First sentences of remaining paragraphs.

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Skimming Magazine Articles

Read the:Title/subtitle/byline.Opening paragraphs.Photograph/captions.Headings/first sentences.Last several paragraphs.Read Photograph

Captions.

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Skimming Nonfiction BooksRead the:Front and back cover of the

book jacket.Author’s credentials.Table of contents.Preface.First and last chapters.

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Scanning

Scanning is searching for a specific piece of information; your only purpose is to locate that information.

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Scanning

1. Check the Organization.2. Form Specific Questions.3. Anticipate Word Clues.4. Identify Likely Answer

Locations.5. Use a Systematic Pattern.6. Confirm Your Answer.

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Scanning Columnar Materials

1. Check overall organization.2. Scan for a specific word, phrase,

name, date, or place name.3. Use the arrow scanning pattern…

straight down the column.4. Focus on the first letter of each line.

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Scanning Prose Materials

1. Let your eyes drift quickly through a passage searching for clue words and phrases.

2. Move your eyes across sentences and entire paragraphs, noticing only the clue words to locate an answer.

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Summary Questions

1. What is skimming?2. What steps should you follow to skim

effectively?3. What are the three types of skimming?4. What is scanning?5. What steps are involved in the process

of scanning?

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Critical Reading Tip #13: Anticipating Your Reading

Assignments1. What is the difficulty level of the material?2. How it it organized?3. What is the overall subject and how is it

approached?4. What type of material is it?5. Are there logical breaking points where you

might divide the assignment into portions, leaving a portion for later study?

6. At what points might you stop and review?7. What connections are there between this

assignment and class lectures?

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