Skimming - for general information
To skim effectively, there must be a structure to get the information you need without
reading every word.
What are the 5 steps for skimming?
- Read the title and table of contents.
- Look at the main headings in the report or article.
- Read the report abstract (an abstract is a summary of the report's contents)
- Read the first and last sentences in each paragraph of the report or article.
- Note any words in boldface or italics.
Scanning -
for specific information How to Scan
Scanning is a method of looking for specific information or answers. Skim the passages
first to decide if you might find the information you search for. To scan:
1. Search for keywords, one at a time, while jumping around the passage
2. Scan through the passages rapidly until you find the keyword you search for
3. Read the surrounding the surrounding material carefully, decide if you’ve
found what you need