“Skimming” and “scanning” are two reading techniques used to quickly gather information from a text. Here are five main differences between skimming and scanning:
Purpose:
Skimming: The primary purpose of skimming is to get a general overview or a sense of the main ideas of a text. Skimming involves quickly glancing through headings, subheadings, bolded or italicized text, and the conclusion to grasp the overall theme without delving into every detail.
Scanning: Scanning is used to locate specific information within a text. It involves searching for keywords, phrases, or specific details without reading the entire content. Scanning is focused on finding particular information quickly.
Reading Speed:
Skimming: Skimming is a rapid reading technique. The reader moves quickly through the text, often reading only the beginning and ending of paragraphs, to capture the main points and general structure.
Scanning: Scanning is even faster than skimming. It involves moving the eyes quickly over the text, looking specifically for the targeted information. The reader doesn’t read every word but scans for relevant keywords.
Techniques:
Skimming: Skimming involves reading techniques such as previewing the headings and subheadings, reading the introduction and conclusion, and glancing at the first and last sentences of paragraphs. The goal is to identify the main ideas and the structure of the text.
Scanning: Scanning relies on a specific search pattern. The reader scans the text in a zigzag or systematic manner, focusing on specific areas or keywords. It is a more directed and purposeful approach compared to skimming.
Comprehension Depth:
Skimming: Skimming provides a superficial understanding of the text by capturing the main ideas and themes. It is not intended for in-depth comprehension but rather to determine if the text is worth a more thorough read.
Scanning: Scanning does not involve understanding the entire context of the text. It is focused on quickly finding the required information without necessarily understanding the surrounding content.
Use Cases:
Skimming: Skimming is often used when previewing a textbook chapter, newspaper article, or any lengthy document to decide whether it is relevant or worth reading in detail. It is also useful for quickly reviewing material before a class or meeting.
Scanning: Scanning is applied when searching for a specific piece of information, such as a date, name, or statistic. It is commonly used when looking through directories, dictionaries, or lists to locate specific details quickly.
In summary, skimming is used to quickly grasp the main ideas and structure of a text, while scanning is employed to locate specific information within the text quickly. Skimming involves reading more extensively, while scanning involves a more targeted search for particular details. Both techniques are valuable in different reading scenarios.