Skimming
READING TECHNIQUES
BY AMINA SANI
What is Reading?
Reading is practice of using text to create
meaning.
It is a dynamic process in which reader interacts
with text to construct meaning.
Types of Reading techniques
There are two types of Reading Techniques:
1. Skimming
2. Scanning
Skimming
▪ Technique of fast reading.
▪ Act of glancing through text to gather basic
idea
▪ For example, reading of contents of a book or
article in newspaper.
Function of Skimming
➢ To get overview of the text
➢ To gather gist of a text
➢ No un-necessary details
➢ No wastage of time
Types of Skimming
There are 3 types of Skimming:
✓ Preview Skimming
✓ Overview Skimming
✓ Review Skimming
Steps to do Skimming
❖ Look at table of contents
❖ Look at main headings, tables and charts
❖ Read first and last sentence
❖ Read key words
❖ Highlight important points
Advantages and Disadvantages
▪ Advantages:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Understand each passage easily
Figure out main idea
Organization of text
Time saving
Improve comprehension skills
▪ Disadvantages
Sometimes, does not provide all details due
to retention of material
II. Limitation of reading speed occasionally
I.
Skimming vs. Scanning
Skimming
Scanning
o Quick read
o Thorough lookout
o Gives whole idea
o Specific information
o Includes reading
o Look over the whole text
introduction, conclusion,
headings and subheadings.
o Max. text in min. time
o Time saving
to get meaning
o Find required information
o Detailed content and
reading
Conclusion
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Mostly used in research work
Helps to save time while reading a lot of
information
Improves reading speed
Scans particular information
Gives best results