Scanning type of reading
For example, scanning a telephone book:
- You are looking for it quickly.
- You know what you are searching for (key words and names).
- You 'see' every item on the page, but you don't necessarily read the pages
- you ignore anything you are not looking for. Thus, when you discover the key
words being searched for, you will be unable to recall the exact content of
the page.
Skimming type of reading
When you read quickly to gain a general impression as to whether the text is
of use to you. You are not necessarily searching for a specific item and key words.
Skimming provides an 'overview' of the text. Skimming is useful to look at chapter/section
headings, summaries and opening paragraphs. The purpose of skimming:
- To check relevance of text.
- Sets the scene for the more concentrated effort that is to follow, if the
text is useful.
Light type of reading
Reading for leisure tends to be 'light':
- Read at a pace which feels comfortable.
- Read with understand.
- Skim the boring, irrelevant passages.
An average light reading speed is 100-200 words per minute. This form of reading
does not generally require detailed concentration.
Word by word type reading
This type of reading is time consuming and demands a high level of concentration.
Some material is not readily understood and so requires a slow and careful analytical
read. People use this type of reading for unfamiliar words and concepts, scientific
formulae. It can take up to an hour just to read a few lines of text.
Reading to study type of reading
A method of reading for study is called SQ3R2,
(SQ3R,
SQ4R, PSQ5R)
the aim is to understand the material in some depth. The method involves five simple
steps; Survey, Question, Read, Recall and Review.
- Survey: skim through to gain an overview and not key points.
- Question: devise questions you hope the text will answer.
- Read: slowly and carefully.
- Recall: from memory, write down the main points made by the chapter.
- Review: revisit your questions - compare these to your recall and establish
how well the text has answered them; fill in any gaps by further reading and
note-taking.