Reading Techniques for Improved Comprehension Skimming, Scanning, and Mapping Resource: OLD/skimscan.htm

Reading Techniques - 1 Skimming: quickly running one's eyes over the test to get the gist or general understanding. (Grellet, 1981) **"Skimming gives readers the advantage of being able to predict the purpose of the passage, the main topic or message, and possible some of the developing or supporting ideas." (Brown, 1994)

Reading Techniques - 2 Scanning: quickly searching for some particular piece of information in the text. (Grellet, 1981) **"The purpose of scanning is to extract certain specific information without reading through the whole text." (Brown, 1994)

Reading Techniques - 3 Mapping: grouping ideas and thoughts into meaningful clusters, which help the reader, understand the hierarchy or links between topics and concepts. **The purpose of mapping is to visually organize topics and concepts to see how they are related to one another.

Reading Techniques - 4 Skimming and scanning are particularly valuable techniques for studying scientific textbooks. Science textbooks are packed with many facts and details. In response students, shift their reading speeds to the lowest gear and labor through the material.

Reading Techniques - 5 Notwithstanding the fact that science textbooks are usually well-organized, with main points and sub-topics clearly outlined, students often ignore these clues and plod through the chapter word-by- word, trying to remember every detail.

Reading Techniques - 6 In order to be successful reader you must understand the general framework within which concepts fit. You can get a general understanding of that framework by skimming, scanning, and mapping.

Reading Techniques - 7 A skilled reader can scan material while skimming, however you should practice both skills separately until you are comfortable. Mapping can be done on a scrap piece of paper while reading or after reading as a review or study guide.

Reading Techniques - 8 SKIMMING: Start at the beginning of the chapter and read the section headings. Think how the section headings flow from one to another and how they link with each other. Take note of vocabulary or terms, which may be in bold, or italics print.

Reading Techniques - 9 Read each topic sentence, usually the first sentence under the heading. Read the study questions at the end of the chapter and think, "Which section could I find that answer in? Go back and read each section.

Reading Techniques - 10 SCANNING: After reading the sections or chapter, look at the study questions at the end. Answer each question in your head by physically turning back and looking for the exact word, term or phrase. Go back and look up each vocabulary term and re-read the definition from the book

Reading Techniques - 11 MAPPING: While reading, place the main concept at the top of the page and circle it. Under the main concept, write, circle, and draw lines to the supporting ideas, concepts, or related vocabulary. If necessary, write personal definitions or cues for memory with these circles.

Reading Techniques - 12 Add another layer of vocabulary or concepts if necessary Add lines showing how vocabulary or concepts are linked perpendicularly. **Mapping can be done either while reading or after reading is complete.

Reading Techniques - 13 After skimming, scanning, (or mapping if you do so at this time) then go back and read the chapter or sections of your text. Reading can be very taxing and should not be done in one sitting. Pace yourself- Set a goal. Read a set number of sections or read for a set number of minutes, review what you have read, process it into long term memory and then return to read more.