Skimming
Skimming is getting a quick impression or general overview of a book or article.
How is 'skimming' different to 'scanning'?
The term skimming is often confused with scanning. Remember:
Skimming is used to obtain the gist (the overall sense) of a piece of text, e.g. use skimming to get the gist of a page of a textbook to decide whether it is useful and should therefore be read more slowly and in more detail.
Scanning is used to obtain specific information from a piece of text, eg use scanning to find a particular number in a telephone directory.
Sometimes you can use both reading methods. After you have skimmed a piece of text to decide whether the text is of interest, you may wish to use scanning techniques to locate specific information.
Suggestions for skimming:
- Look for signposts; chapter headings; sub-headings; lists; figures.
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Read first and last paragraphs and first and last sentences of a paragraph. Don't read the whole text word-for-word.
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Use as many clues as possible to give you some background information. There might be pictures or images related to the topic, or an eye-catching title.
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Don't read every word or every sentence. Let your eyes skim over the surface of the text and, whilst thinking about any clues you have found about the subject, look out for key words.
Example
This is a paragraph from ICT and Language Learning: Integrating Pedagogy and Practice by Chambers, Conacher and Littlemore (2004c).
The increasing availability of computer-based applications for language learning is creating a new environment for language learners and teachers, which some may see as exciting and challenging, other as confusing and even threatening. How do learners and teachers determine which tools have the greatest potential to support learning? How can these tools have the greatest potential to support learning? How can these tools then be integrated into the language-learning process on a sound pedagogical foundation?
Skimming this paragraph gives the general idea that language learning with ICT poses opportunities and difficulties for students and teachers.
Please click on Skimming Exercise to go to the next section.