3.Read thoroughly the introductory paragraphs, the summary,
and any questions at the chapter’s end.
4.Read the first sentenceof every paragraph, which generally
contains the main point of the paragraph.
5.Evaluate what you have gained from this process: Can you
answer the questions at the end of the chapter? Could you
intelligently participate in a class discussion of the material?
6.Write a brief summary that encapsulates what you have
learned from your skimming.
7.Based on this evaluation, decidewhether a more thorough
reading is required.As a general rule, if you are reading textbook material word for word,
you probably are wasting quite a bit of your study time. Good read-
ers are able to discern what they should read in this manner and what
they can afford to skim. When trying to simply gather detail and facts,
skimming a text is a simple and very important shortcut that can save
you a lot of reading time. Even if a more in-depth reading is neces-
sary, you will find that by having gone through this process, you will
have developed the kind of skeletal framework that will make your
further reading faster, easier, and more meaningful. And if all you need
is “Just the facts, ma’am,” your ability to scan a selection, chapter,
or book will save you minutes, if not hours, every week.
Whether you’re skimming or scanning, you will have equipped your-
self with the ability to better digest whatever the author is trying to
communicate.
Seek Word Clues, Too
While the heads, subheads, first sentences, and other author-provided
hints we’ve talked about will help you get a quick read on what a
chapter is about, some of the words in that chapter will help you
concentrate on the important points and ignore the unimportant.
Knowing when to speed up, slow down, ignore, or really concentrate
will help you read both faster and more effectively.
52 How to Study