Techniques for Efficient Reading : Skimming and Scanning

One way to acquire new concepts or information is through reading. Of course, this is especially fun and entertaining for people who have been reading since childhood. In today's digital age, the Z generation faces numerous distractions that make reading and writing challenging. With so much social media and entertainment available, the art of reading can frequently take a back seat. However, reading remains a valuable means of gaining new information and ideas. In this blog post, I will explore two effective reading techniques {skimming and scanning} that can help individuals read more efficiently in less time.

1. Skimming

Skimming is a method of searching for the main points or ideas in nonfiction. or in nonfiction (or factual) content. When we skim, we don't read everything, so our overall understanding suffers. We can only read what is important to what we are trying to accomplish. Skimming while reading allows us to look for small details in addition to the main points.

Furthermore, there are steps to implementing a skimming strategy, which are as follows:

a. Read the title

b. Read the introduction of lead paragraph

c. Read the first paragraph completely

d. Read the first sentence of each remaining paragraph.

e. Dip into the text to looking for clue words, proper noun, unusual words, enumeration, qualifying adjective, typhoraphical clues.

f. Read the final paragraph completely

2. Scanning

Scanning is the process of quickly reading to find information that readers are looking for. When seeking answers to specific questions, someone uses scanning as a reading sub-skill. We can search a text for specific words, names, numbers, figures, locations, and so on.

The following steps are involved in implementing a scanning strategy:

a. Keep in mind what you are looking for at all times.

b. Know how the information will appear (numbers, proper nouns, etc.).

c. Check the content's organization before beginning to scan.

d. Move your eyes quickly over several lines of print at once.When you find the sentence that contains the information you seek, read the entire sentence.

Both skimming and scanning have the advantage of not having to read an entire text, focusing only on the sections relevant to the reader's goals or questions. These techniques are especially useful in today's fast-paced world, allowing individuals to quickly and effectively extract valuable information from texts.

Finally, skimming and scanning are useful tools that help readers make the most of their reading time. Individuals who master these techniques can overcome distractions and efficiently acquire new knowledge and ideas from the wealth of information available to them. So, the next time you pick up a book, think about skimming and scanning to get the most out of your reading experience.

Thank you for reading my post. I hope you found it enjoyable and useful. see you :)