Recursos Humanos

The Learning Strategies Page



STRATEGY: Skimming and scanning techniques


Estimated time: 30 minutes

Instructions

1. Read the following theory.
2. Then, take the quizzesbelow.


Skimming
• Means quickly identifying the main ideas of a text.
• is done at a speed three to four times faster than normal reading
• is used when you have lots ofmaterial to read in a limited amount of time

Follow this sequence when skimming:
• Read the title
• Read the introduction or the first paragraph
• Read the first sentence of every other paragraph• Read any headings and sub-headings
• Notice any pictures, charts, or graphs
• Notice any italicized or boldface words or phrases
• Read the summary or last paragraph
Scanning
• is atechnique you often use when looking up a word in the telephone book or dictionary: you search for key words or ideas, and you know what you are looking for. .
• means that you know what you arelooking for, so you're concentrating on finding a particular answer
• involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases.



Follow this sequence when skimming:• State the specific information you are looking for.
• Try to anticipate how the answer will appear and what clues you might use to help you locate the answer. For example, if you werelooking for a certain date, you would quickly read the paragraph looking only for numbers
• Use headings and any other aids that will help you identify which sections might contain theinformation you are looking for
• Selectively read and skip through sections of the passage.
Quizzes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/reading/techniques/scanning/quiz.shtml
(Scanning) DoLevels 2 and 3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/reading/techniques/skimming/quiz.shtml (Skimming) Do Levels 2 and 3

Reading comprehension quizzes

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/classcust.html...