Skimming vs Scanning: Know the Differences for Effective Reading

Definition

Skimming is used to get a general overview and the Main idea in a text while scanning locates specific information quickly at a glance. Both Skimming and Scanning are fast-reading strategies.

Functions of Skimming and Scanning

Skimming and scanning are both reading skills-building practices. They help a reader become more efficient and skilled than the common reading practices. Also, they assist the reader to read faster by skimming and scanning a text in a short amount of time. Although the functions of these strategies are similar, their purposes are entirely different. For example, when we want to read something fast to obtain a general idea, we skim. But when we want to read something quickly to discover a specific piece of information, we scan a text.

Characteristics of Skimming 

1. Efficient Reading Method
2. Fast-Reading Method
3. Time-Saving Method

Efficient Reading Method

It improves our ability to read quickly. So, instead of reading every single word, we should focus on:

• Typographical signals
• Headers
• Boldfaces
• Italic fonts
• Indenting
• Bullet Points
• Numbered lists

Fast-Reading Technique

Skimming is a fast-reading strategy that we employ to quickly gain a general overview and information about the text. It is a speedier reading method than any other fast reading technique. Because it allows us to obtain a broad range of information from a vast part of the text.

Time-Saving Method

Skimming allows us to read longer texts without having to read them thoroughly. We take a cursory glance at the text or document via this lens. Then, rather than reading a book, it saves us many long-sitting hours. As a result, it saves us a lot of time.

Apply Methods of Skimming

We use skimming to get a quick look of:

• Contents of a textbook
• Summary of a text
• Preparation for exam
• Tone and Mood of the text

Examples of Skimming

• Take a glance at what’s going on in the news or the newspaper’s headlines.
• We go through a book to see whether it’s one we want to read.
• Look through the TV schedule to find what’s on that evening.
• Take a look at the table of contents.
• It is necessary to read the first and last sentences of each paragraph.
• Pay attention to the headers and subheadings.
• Examine any images or visual elements.
• Summaries should be read.

Three Ways of Skimming Texts

1. Preview Skimming: It entails having a mind toward reading before you start reading. It’s a great way to get a head start on more in-depth reading.
2. Overview Skimming: It means getting a gist of the material and a broad understanding of what it’s about.
3. Review Skimming: It entails returning to a selection with a lot of content after you’ve finished reading it.

Characteristics of Scanning

1. Locate Particular Information
2. Find Question Answers
3. Find particular Facts

Locate Particular Information

We utilize it to search for only one piece of information using a single word or phrase. For example, when we look for a word in the dictionary, we start scanning. Because the objective of scanning is to look for something specific, not something general.

Find the Question Answers

At the end of a chapter or a story, we are asked to give exact answers to the questions for comprehension. As a result, we can search for the textbook to get answers to the queries we’re required to. Scanning is the practice of reading quickly to discover specific information.

Find particular Facts

Scanning allows us to research complex issues. The issues which require fact-based evidence. For example, we scan the fact-based answers to the comprehension questions at the end of a story or a chapter.

Apply Methods of Scanning

The objective of scanning is to find specific data. Apply it to check for:

• Primary headers
• Theme lines
• Main Ideas
• Tables
• Charts
• Keywords
• Highlights
• Underlined Words

Examples of Scanning

• Take a look at the contents page.
• Check to see whether there is a question that we need to answer.
• Scan when you are looking for a phone number.
• Look up a term in a dictionary by using the index.
• Use one of our fingers to scan the area carefully.
• Look for terms that are relevant to our topic.
• Look over the sidebars and bulleted information.

Three Ways of Scanning Texts

1. Linear scan: This method involves reading through the text one character or word at a time, from start to finish.
2. Keyword scan: This method involves searching for specific keywords or phrases within the text. It can be done using string-matching algorithms such as Boyer-Moore or Rabin-Karp.
3. Regular expression scan: This method involves searching for patterns within the text using regular expressions. It is often used for parsing or validating text.

Key Difference between Skimming and Scanning Table

Summary

In summary, skimming is used to get an overall understanding of a text while scanning to locate specific information. Skimming and Scanning are both efficient reading strategies that allow a person to quickly identify either general or specific information in a text fast.