Speed Reading Techniques
Skimming and Scanning
In order to function well in this age of information, we have to be able to read. The key is found in three steps: 1) skimming for main ideas and to determine of the article deserves your time; 2) reading carefully; and 3) scanning later for a specific fact or piece of information. Most of us do this whether we know it or not. We read quickly, take in a lot of information in a short amount of time, process it, and then filter out what is most important and let go of the rest. Even the information we keep in our head has to be prioritized and most of that gets set aside somewhere as well. Our brains do this assessing and filtering naturally, but what if we could improve the process?
We can. What we can do is work on our reading skills, in particular, speed reading skills. In today's world, we have to have the ability to assess the value of material before you delve into it. This is called skimming.
Skimming and scanning skills are really the only way to survive in the sea of information in our lives. They are not the same thing, and they are not the same as reading. Skimming and scanning are each skills that serve different purposes. While skimming is designed to help you get a general overview of the content, including the main ideas, scanning is designed to help you locate a specific fact or piece of information. Therefore, skimming is used before you read something and scanning is used after you read.
For a step by step guide on how to skim and scan, see Speed Reading Techniques: Skimming and Scanning - A How-to Guide.
Realize that you probably use these techniques every day when you encounter reading material. Understand the main purpose of each technique and use them accordingly. You will find that by using skimming and scanning in your every day reading you are better able to take in a lot of new information and recall what you need from that material when you need it.
Skimming and scanning are essential skills in today's world of information overload. They are the tools of the day and must be utilized if you are to keep up with the information age.
Published by River Lin
Mother, daughter, sister, friend, lover, teacher, writer. I have two children, six dogs and two cats. I write in a TP year round. My writing includes academic, popular, religious, environmental and reflectiv... View profile
- Teach Speed Reading to KidsWhy not start young? Reading is a challenge for many younger students, but if they learn early, speed reading might be one of the most important skills you can teach them for the future.
- Speed Reading Facilitates the SQ3R Study MethodSQ3R stands for Survey, Question and the three "r's" - Read, Recite and Review. The surveying, questioning, reading and reciting sections are most likely completed in a day, provided the chapter isn't extremely long.
How to Read a Book in Ten Minutes: Speed reading is for EveryoneIt is possible to become conversant about a book in ten minutes. Speed reading is your key to knowing more, faster, and retaining more information from what you read.- Improve Your Young Children's Reading Skills and FuturesIt is very important for children to develop their reading skills for a successful future. A love of reading inspired in a young child will last a lifetime and help build those skills too!
- Kindergarten Reading SkillsHelp your child master reading by following these kindergarten reading skills.
- Basic Speed Reading Techniques
- What is the Best Speed Reading Technique?
- Reading Techniques: The Power of Prereading
- Speed Reading Techniques: How to Double Your Reading Speed in Minutes
- The History of Speed Reading: How Did it Originate?
- Effective Speed Reading and Summary Writing: Increase Your Skills
- Simple and Effective Speed Reading Techniques