Skimming and Scanning

Summary

This video introduces two essential reading strategies—skimming and scanning—useful for research and finding information quickly. Skimming helps to get a general idea of a text by focusing on titles, bold words, and key sentences, while scanning involves rapidly searching for specific details like keywords, numbers, or names. The video demonstrates how both techniques can be applied to a research project, such as one on alligators, offering practical tips on when and how to use each strategy. While these techniques take practice, they can be invaluable for efficiently locating relevant information.

Takeaways

• 😀 Skimming is a fast reading technique used to get a general idea of the text, focusing on titles, headings, and key sentences.
• 😀 Skimming helps when you need to quickly gather the main points of a text, especially when time is limited or parts of the text are irrelevant.
• 😀 Skimming can be done by reading the first and last sentences of paragraphs or the first and last paragraphs on a page.
• 😀 Scanning is different from skimming; it involves quickly searching for specific information, such as keywords, numbers, or names.
• 😀 Scanning is used when you already know what you're looking for and need to find specific details, such as figures or terms.
• 😀 Skimming and scanning are both useful for research projects, allowing you to locate information more quickly than reading every detail.
• 😀 For example, in a project about alligators, skimming could help find differences between alligators and crocodiles by focusing on titles, bold words, and key sentences.
• 😀 Scanning can be useful for finding very specific information, like life expectancy or a number, as in the example of researching alligator lifespans.
• 😀 Skimming and scanning require practice to master, and they are not always appropriate for in-depth comprehension or detailed reading.
• 😀 These techniques are valuable when you need to locate specific information fast, but they should not replace thorough reading when understanding the full text is necessary.
• 😀 Skimming and scanning can be particularly effective when navigating large amounts of text or during online research, where speed is often key.

Q & A

What is skimming and how does it help in research?

Skimming is a fast reading technique where you look for key words, headings, and the first and last sentences of paragraphs to get a general idea of the text. It helps in research by allowing you to quickly determine whether a text contains relevant information.

When should you use skimming instead of full reading?

Skimming is useful when you don't have enough time to read an entire text or when many parts of the text aren't relevant to your research. It helps you identify the main points quickly.

What are the key things to look for while skimming a text?

When skimming, look for key words, bolded words, headings or titles, and the first and last sentences of paragraphs. These elements often highlight the main ideas.

Can you give an example of skimming in a research project?

In a project about alligators, skimming might involve reading a title like 'Alligators' and the first and last sentences of paragraphs to quickly identify relevant details, such as whether the text mentions differences between alligators and crocodiles.

What is the difference between skimming and scanning?

Skimming gives you a general overview of a text, while scanning involves looking for specific details, like keywords or numbers. Skimming is for understanding main ideas, and scanning is for finding precise information.

What are the main strategies for scanning a text?

When scanning, you quickly move your eyes over the text, searching for specific words, numbers, or names that are directly related to your research or question. You don’t read the entire text, only the parts that are relevant.

How is scanning useful in a research project?

Scanning is useful when you need to find a specific piece of information quickly, such as a number, a date, or a name, without reading everything in the text.

Give an example of scanning in a research project.

In a research project on alligators, you might scan the text for the word 'live' to quickly find information about the life expectancy of alligators, such as 'Alligators live about 50 years in nature.'

Why is it important to practice skimming and scanning?

Both skimming and scanning take time to master. With practice, you can use these techniques more effectively to quickly gather relevant information and improve your research efficiency.

When might skimming and scanning not be appropriate?

Skimming and scanning might not be suitable when you need to deeply understand or analyze the details of a text. In those cases, full reading is necessary to gain a thorough comprehension.