Which Reading Style Is Suitable for Reviewing Material That You Have Previously Read

Do you ever feel like you spend style also much time reading? Do you have trouble determining which parts of a text are the most important? Do you wish yous could collect information from books in a quicker and more efficient way? If then, consider skimming the next fourth dimension you sit down to read a text.
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What is skimming?

Skimming is a strategic, selective reading method in which you focus on the main ideas of a text. When skimming, deliberately skip text that provides details, stories, data, or other elaboration. Instead of closely reading every word, focus on the introduction, affiliate summaries, first and last sentences of paragraphs, bold words, and text features. Skimming is extracting the essence of the author's main messages rather than the finer points.

Why skim?

You need the "big motion picture" or main points when you're reading. Fifty-fifty if you're going to do a more than detailed reading of the text, skimming as a form of previewing tin can assistance yous amend embrace what you lot read. Knowing when and how to skim volition help you become a more efficient, strategic reader. You'll become ameliorate at determining what parts of the text are most important. In that location may also exist times when your professor wants you to sympathize the big picture, not all of the footling details. In these cases, skimming helps you understand the overall points of the text and its relevance to your course without bogging y'all down.

Make the nearly of your fourth dimension. Sometimes you don't accept fourth dimension to do everything. With skimming, you'll be able to cover vast amounts of material more quickly and save time for everything else that y'all accept on your plate. Maybe y'all don't take time to finish your reading before form, but skimming will assist you go the main points and nourish grade much more than prepared to maximize in-class learning.

Y'all need to review a text you lot have read earlier. Skimming is too an efficient way to refresh your memory of large amounts of material before an exam. Skimming a text that you take already read helps y'all recollect content and structure.

Skimming is non…

Skimming can nowadays problems if not washed intentionally. Skimming is non only flipping through a text speedily or paying one-half attention to information technology. When skimming, be deliberate and intentional with what yous choose to read, and brand sure that you lot are focused. Skimming is not a lazy fashion out or a one-half-hearted attempt at reading. Make sure that you lot apply it carefully and strategically and are able to walk away with the primary ideas of the text.

Skimming methods

Beginnings & endings: Read first and last sentences of paragraphs, first and last paragraphs of major sections, and introductions and summaries of chapters.

Wheat vs. chaff: Read just the amount of text necessary to determine if a department presents a main idea or back up for a chief idea.

Visual & verbal cues: Watch for indicate words and phrases that indicate an author'south management (e.g., notwithstanding, although, moreover, in addition to). Things to focus on while skimming:

• Introduction and conclusion
• Chapter/section summaries
• Offset and last sentences
• Titles, subtitles, and headings
• Bold words
• Charts, graphs, or pictures
• End of affiliate review questions

When to skim

In that location are certain texts that lend themselves to skimming ameliorate than others. It is typically less beneficial to skim novels, poetry, and short stories or texts that practice not have text features such as such as tables of content, chapter or section summaries, headings, bold words, pictures, and diagrams. Non-fiction texts, like textbooks, journal articles, and essays are typically full of these kinds of text features and are more suited for skimming.

Skimming can also be a good tool for conducting research and writing papers. Typically, when researching or writing, you will not demand to read every give-and-take of every text closely, but will benefit more from skimming while evaluating your sources or identifying data important to your piece of work.

Finally, know your context. There may be some texts that you are better off reading closely and thoroughly. Some professors specifically tell you that they include pocket-sized details from the textbook on exams. You may have some classes that are merely difficult to sympathize, and you may find that reading closely helps you comprehend concepts meliorate. Before skimming, spend some time thinking well-nigh your classes, professors, and needs to determine if y'all have any texts you may need to read more closely.

Active reading strategies

When skimming, it's important to proceed to utilize active reading strategies. This keeps your brain agile, engaged, and focused, and helps you sympathize and retain information better and longer. Here are a few constructive active reading strategies to pair with skimming:

Set a purpose for reading. Instead of approaching the text as something you merely take to go through, identify a purpose for this reading. What do you want to leave of it? Why are y'all reading it? Keep this purpose in mind as yous read.

Preview. Await through the text earlier started to read and focus on headings, illustrations, captions, highlighted items, end of chapter summaries, etc. These features give you lot an thought of the primary concepts of the text and what y'all should focus on while skimming.

Make a prediction. Right after previewing, make a prediction well-nigh what you call back the affiliate or section is going to be about.

Activate prior knowledge. Make a list of what you already know about the topic and what you want to know about it. Place and write down any questions you have.

Annotate. Instead of copying down copious notes from the book, jot down brief notes and thoughts (in your own words) in the margins of the text or in a notebook. PDF viewers, such equally Adobe Acrobat and Preview, also let you lot add together notes directly on the page of a digital text. Other possibilities include note-taking apps such equally Evernote, OneNote, or Google Keep.

Summarize the chief ideas. After a section or page, stop and write a 1-iii sentence summary in your own words. This keeps your brain engaged and ensures you are comprehending what you lot read.

Generate questions. Ask and write down questions that you have as you read the text and/or questions that y'all would ask a class if yous were the instructor. Effort using dissimilar levels of questions.

Use resources

Brand an appointment with an academic coach at the Learning Center. Our coaches come across 1-on-one with students to work through reading, study skills, and whatsoever other academic issue.

Meet with your professor in function hours about how to approach your course'southward specific text and content.

Attend a peer tutoring session to get specific assistance with ane of your courses or texts.

Works consulted

Holschuh, J. and Nist, Southward. (2000). Agile learning: Strategies for college success. Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.

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