EAP

Unit 5skimming and scanning.

Skimming

• Skimming refers to the process of reading only main ideas within a passage to get an overall impression of the content of a readingselection.

Skimming

• To give a quick and superficial reading, scrutiny, or consideration; glance

• is used to quickly identify the main ideas of a text.

Skimming

• When you read the newspaper, you're probably not reading it word-by-word, instead you're scanning the text.

• Skimming is done at a speed three to four times faster than normal reading

• Use skimming when you want to see if an article may be of interest in your research.

How to Skim:

• * Read the title.• * Read the introduction or the first paragraph. • * Read the first sentence of every other

paragraph.• * Read any headings and sub-headings.• * Notice any pictures, charts, or graphs.• * Notice any italicized or boldface words or

phrases.• * Read the summary or last paragraph.

Scanning

• is a reading technique to be used when you want to find specific information quickly.

• In scanning you have a questionhave a question in your mind and you read a passage only to find the answer, ignoring unrelated information.

Scanning example:

• Suppose you go to a festival crowd with a friend, but miss him in the surging throng. Your eyes travel quickly over the crowd to locate your friend's face, totally ignoring all other faces.

Scanning

• In Scanning, you move eyes quickly identifying the main ideas of the text .

• you move your eyes quickly down the page seeking a specific word, phrase, number or idea.

Scanning

• Unless you practice scanning, you may waste a lot a time while using reference books.

• . In fact, drill in scanning is an essential part of training in the use of reference books.

What is the difference between skimming and scanning?

• They’re alike in that you don’t read all of the material. They’re different in the way you go about each.They’re alike in that you don’t read all of the material. They’re different in the way you go about each.

• In scanning, you usually have a question to, or something specific to look for.

• It might be a telephone number, a particular quotation in a book,

• or supporting facts to use in a discussion you’re having.

• When you scan, your goal is to find just the information you want.

• When you’ve found it, you’re finished reading.

• In skimming, your purpose is quite different. • You may be interested in the “gist” of an

article, • or you may want to sample a book in the

library before deciding to take it out. • When you skim, you alternate read and

glance, and your goal is to obtain an impression of the whole.