Reading Strategy: Scanning

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the scanning reading strategy, a technique designed to help you quickly locate specific information within a text. Scanning is particularly useful for academic reading, allowing you to efficiently gather relevant details without reading every word. This method enhances comprehension and saves time, making it an essential skill for students and professionals alike.

Step 1: Identify Your Purpose

Before you start scanning, clarify what information you need. This will help you focus your search and avoid getting distracted by irrelevant details.

• Determine the specific information you are looking for, such as:
  • Key terms
  • Dates
  • Names
  • Main ideas

Step 2: Preview the Text

Familiarize yourself with the structure and layout of the text to make scanning more efficient.

• Look at:
  • Headings and subheadings
  • Bold or italicized text
  • Bullet points or numbered lists
  • Any visuals like tables or graphs

This initial overview will help you anticipate where the information you need might be located.

Step 3: Use Visual Cues

As you start scanning through the text, pay attention to visual cues that can guide your search.

• Scan for keywords or phrases that stand out.
• Utilize the text’s formatting:
  • Look for highlighted or bolded sections.
  • Focus on the beginning and end of paragraphs, where main ideas are often located.

Step 4: Move Your Eyes Efficiently

Adopt a technique to help your eyes move quickly across the text.

• Use the following techniques:
  • Create a zig-zag pattern across the page.
  • Avoid reading every word; instead, look for clusters of words.
  • Keep your eyes moving rather than fixating on individual words.

Step 5: Confirm the Information

Once you locate potential relevant sections, read more closely to ensure you have found the correct information.

• Verify:
  • Is the information aligned with your original purpose?
  • Does it provide the details you need?

If it does, make a note or highlight it for later reference.

Conclusion

The scanning reading strategy is a powerful tool for quickly locating information in texts. By clearly identifying your purpose, previewing the text, using visual cues, moving your eyes efficiently, and confirming details, you can enhance your reading efficiency. Practice these steps regularly to improve your scanning skills, which will benefit your academic and professional reading tasks. Start applying this strategy in your next reading session to experience its advantages firsthand!