Reading Skills: Skimming

Skimming is a reading technique that involves quickly glancing over a text to get a sense of its structure, main ideas, and overall content without reading every word. It is an efficient method for previewing material and deciding whether it is worth reading in more detail. Skimming is often used when you have a large amount of material to cover or when you need to quickly grasp the main points of a text.

 

Here are the key elements of skimming, along with examples:

 

Title and Headings:

 

Example: In an article about climate change, you might look at the title and headings to quickly understand the main topics covered, such as "Causes of Climate Change" or "Effects on Biodiversity."

Subheadings and Bold/Italicized Text:

 

Example: Skim through subheadings and any text that is bold or italicized. In a business report, you might notice a bolded section titled "Recommendations," giving you a clue about the suggested actions without reading the entire report.

Introduction and Conclusion:

 

Example: In a research paper, you might read the introduction and conclusion to understand the purpose of the study and the key findings without delving into the details of the methodology or results.

First and Last Sentences of Paragraphs:

 

Example: When skimming, you may focus on the first and last sentences of paragraphs. In a news article, these sentences often encapsulate the main points of the paragraph, providing a quick summary.

Graphics and Visual Elements:

 

Example: In textbooks or technical documents, tables, charts, graphs, and images can convey important information. Skimming involves looking at these elements to understand key concepts without reading the accompanying text.

Keywords and Phrases:

 

Example: Identify keywords or phrases that stand out. In a legal document, terms like "plaintiff," "defendant," or "judgment" might catch your eye, helping you understand the nature of the document without reading every word.

Summary or Abstract:

 

Example: Many academic articles include a summary or abstract at the beginning. Reading this section provides a concise overview of the research, allowing you to decide if you want to delve deeper into the details.

Concluding Remarks:

 

Example: If a document has a concluding section or a summary at the end, skimming through this part can provide a quick recap of the main points.

Formatting Features:

 

Example: Pay attention to formatting features like bullet points, lists, and indents. In a set of guidelines, these formatting cues can highlight key steps or recommendations.

Review of Key Terms:

 

Example: In educational materials, textbooks, or technical documents, scanning for and understanding key terms can help you grasp the fundamental concepts without reading every sentence.

Remember that skimming is not a substitute for careful, in-depth reading when detailed understanding is necessary. Instead, it is a strategy for quickly identifying the main points and structure of a text.