There are three types of skimming. Based on the provided reference, there are three types of skimming: preview, overview, and review. Understanding these different types can help you effectively skim various materials for different purposes.
Skimming is a rapid reading technique used to quickly get the main idea or gist of a text without reading every word. It's a valuable skill for handling large volumes of information efficiently.
The Three Types of Skimming
As identified in the reference, the three primary types of skimming are:
- Preview Skimming
- Overview Skimming
- Review Skimming
Let's explore each type in a bit more detail.
1. Preview Skimming
Preview skimming is used before you read a text in depth. Its purpose is to get a general idea of the content, structure, and main topics covered.
- Purpose: To decide if the text is relevant or worth reading more closely, or to activate prior knowledge about the subject.
- How to do it: Scan headings, subheadings, introductions, conclusions, summaries, the first sentence of paragraphs, and any highlighted or bold text. Look at charts, graphs, and images.
- Example: Skimming the table of contents, introduction, and chapter titles of a book before deciding to buy it or borrow it from the library.
2. Overview Skimming
Overview skimming (sometimes called quick reading or scanning for main ideas) is used instead of reading the entire text. The goal is to grasp the central arguments or main points without focusing on details.
- Purpose: To get the core message or main arguments of a piece quickly when detailed understanding is not necessary.
- How to do it: Read the first sentence of most paragraphs (often the topic sentence), look for keywords that appear frequently, and pay attention to transition words that signal main ideas (e.g., "most importantly," "in conclusion").
- Example: Skimming a news article online to understand the main events of the day, or reading a report abstract and conclusion to grasp its findings.
3. Review Skimming
Review skimming is done after you have already read a text, either thoroughly or using another skimming technique. Its purpose is to refresh your memory about the content or locate specific information.
- Purpose: To recall key points, reinforce learning, or find a particular piece of information you remember seeing.
- How to do it: Quickly look through headings and topic sentences again, focus on bold or italicized terms, and scan for specific names, dates, or facts you are trying to find.
- Example: Skimming your notes or a textbook chapter before an exam to quickly recall the main concepts, or scanning a document to find a specific statistic you need.
Summary Table
| Type of Skimming | Purpose | When to Use It | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preview | Get a general idea & decide relevance | Before reading | Headings, intro, conclusion, first sentences, visuals, TOC |
| Overview | Grasp main points without details | Instead of full reading | Topic sentences, keywords, transition words, first/last paragraphs |
| Review | Recall information or find specific details | After reading or initial skimming | Headings, topic sentences, bold terms, specific names/dates |
Understanding these three types allows you to select the most appropriate skimming strategy based on your reading goals and the material at hand.
