1. ACT Strategies: Skimming & Scanning Mrs. M. Kleimola East Aurora High School Spring 2013

2. The Strategies Both skimming and scanning allow readers to take in large amounts of information in a small amount of time. Both strategies are applicable beyond the ACT, such as when doing research (college skill), and when reviewing for a test.

3. Skimming & Scanning Skimming works for – Previewing – Reviewing – A timed setting such as the ACT – Finding the MAIN IDEA of a passage Scanning works while – Looking for a keyword (such as from an ACT question) – Deciding which item to read (such as the results of a search)

4. How to Skim 1.Read the title. 2.Read the first paragraph. 3.Read the first sentence of each body paragraph. 4.Notice any text features such as bolded or italicized words, charts, and pictures. 5.Read the last paragraph. FOCUS: Words that answer the questions Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

5. How to Scan 1.Try to move eyes up and down the text to find a specific word, phrase, or piece of information. 2.Once you find the word or phrase, be sure read the surrounding sentences in order to get in deeper and find the meaning/answer.

6. How to Use Skimming & Scanning on the ACT, PLAN, or EXPLORE These skills are especially helpful on the two “open book” tests: Reading & Science. Skimming is best applied to NON-FICTION passages, which comprise 75% of the Reading Test, and of course, 100% of the Science Test.

7. ACT Spotlight On the ACT Reading Test the title can be extremely helpful in determining the Main Idea, but most students miss the title. Please refer to the graphic on the following slide…

9. Things to Notice The passage type is SOCIAL SCIENCE The passage is an excerpt from a piece entitled “Green Music in the Rain Forest” by Suzanne Charlé There are actually very few text features (bolded words, etc.) on the Reading Test. Why might that be?

10. Application Practice skimming in the classroom to review content-area material. Practice scanning for the answers to discussion or other questions in class.