READING

1 Read for gist

This is like taking a quick snapshot of the main idea. You're not diving deep, but rather understanding the general message the author is trying to convey. Imagine skimming headlines to get a sense of the day's news. 

2 Read for detail

This is where you put on your detective hat. You're closely examining the text to find specific information, like facts, figures, or supporting arguments. Think of studying a textbook to understand complex concepts. 

3 Read for mood

This goes beyond the words on the page and focuses on the emotional atmosphere the author creates. Is the writing funny, suspenseful, or melancholic? Imagine reading a poem to understand the poet's feelings. 

4 Proofread

This is like being a grammar and spelling watchdog. You're meticulously checking the text for any errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or formatting to ensure clarity and accuracy. 

5 Scan

This is like searching with your eyes. You're quickly looking through the text to find specific pieces of information, like names, dates, or keywords. Think of searching for a document for your phone number. 

6 Skim

This is like a quick preview. You're reading at a faster pace to get a general sense of the text, identify key points, and understand the overall flow of information. It's like browsing a magazine article to see if it interests you before diving in. 

Previewing 

Before you delve into reading, take a few minutes to preview the text. This could involve skimming the introduction, headings, subheadings, pictures, captions, and boldfaced terms. Previewing activates your background knowledge and prepares you for the content to come. 

Predicting 

Based on the title, preview, and your own knowledge, make predictions about what the text will be about. What is the main idea? What are some supporting details? Actively thinking about what you expect to learn helps you focus your attention and engage with the material. 

Making Connections 

As you read, try to connect the text to your own life experiences, other things you've read, or current events. This helps you make sense of the information and retain it better. 

Asking Questions 

Don't be afraid to ask questions before, during, and after you read. What is the author's purpose? What evidence supports their claims?  Questioning keeps you actively engaged with the text and helps you clarify any confusion. 

Visualizing 

Create mental images of what you are reading. Imagine the characters, settings, and events unfolding in your mind. Visualization can deepen your understanding and make the reading experience more immersive. 

Skimming and scanning are two distinct reading techniques used to efficiently gather information from a text.

Skimming
This technique involves quickly moving through the text to get a general overview or gist of the content. When skimming, you focus on titles, headings, subheadings, and the first and last sentences of paragraphs. The goal is to understand the main ideas without reading every word.

Scanning
Scanning is used to locate specific information or keywords within a text. This technique involves searching for particular terms, dates, names, or other details, often by moving your eyes rapidly over the text. Scanning is useful when you know what information you need and are looking to find it quickly.

Both techniques are valuable for different purposes and can be used together depending on your reading goals.