Difference Between Skimming And Scanning

When it comes to reading, we have two major skills that we use – skimming and scanning. These two techniques are essential when we want to quickly go through a text or document to find specific information. They are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. The difference between skimming and scanning is quite significant, and it’s important to know when to use which method.

Skimming

Skimming is a technique that is used to quickly get the gist of the text. When you are reading a text to get the general idea of what it is about, this is skimming. This method of reading is quick and not deep. It is often used when you want to decide whether a text is worth reading or not.

When you skim a text, you are not reading every word, but you are looking for the keywords and phrases that give you an idea of what the text is about. You will often skim when reading newspaper articles, emails or social media posts.

Here are some tips for successful skimming:

1. Read the title – the title will give you an idea of what the text is about.

2. Read the first and last paragraphs – the first paragraph will often introduce the topic, while the last paragraph will summarize what the article was about.

3. Look for boldface and italicized words – these will often highlight the important information.

4. Look for bullet points – bullet points are used to provide a summary of the main points in the text.

5. Look at the photographs – photographs can often tell you a lot about what the text is about.

6. Avoid reading every word – skimming is about getting the general idea, not reading every single word.

Skimming should not be confused with speed reading. While speed reading is about reading quickly and in depth, skimming is about quickly getting the gist of the text.

Scanning

Scanning is a technique that is used to find a specific piece of information in a text. When you are looking for something specific, this is scanning. This method of reading is also quick, but it is more targeted than skimming. It is often used when you need to find a name, date, or statistic.

When you scan a text, you are not reading every word, but you are looking for the keywords and phrases that will help you find the information you need. Scanning is often used when you are reading a textbook, a legal document, or a research paper.

Here are some tips for successful scanning:

1. Know what you are looking for – have a clear idea of what you are searching for before you start reading.

2. Know where to look – if you are looking for a specific piece of information, it’s important to know where it is located.

3. Look for boldface and italicized words – these will often highlight the important information.

4. Look for headings and subheadings – these will often indicate where the information you need is located.

5. Skim through the text first – before you start scanning, quickly skim through the text to get an idea of what it is about.

6. Look for numbers – if you are searching for a specific statistic, look for numbers in the text.

Skimming vs. Scanning

The main difference between skimming and scanning is the purpose of the reading. Skimming is used when you want to quickly get the general idea of the text, while scanning is used when you are looking for a specific piece of information.

Another difference between skimming and scanning is the depth of reading. Skimming is a shallow form of reading, while scanning is more targeted and deeper. Skimming can be done quickly, while scanning requires more attention and focus.

It’s important to use the right reading technique for the task at hand. If you are reading an email or a news article, skimming is often the best approach. If you are reading a legal document or a research paper, scanning is often more effective.

Conclusion

Skimming and scanning are both important reading techniques that we use to quickly navigate through a text or document. While they may seem similar at first, there are important differences between the two methods.

Skimming is used when you want to quickly get the general idea of the text, while scanning is used when you are looking for a specific piece of information. Skimming is a shallow form of reading, while scanning requires more focus and attention.

By understanding the difference between skimming and scanning, you can use these techniques to quickly and effectively navigate through any text or document.