Instead of reading every word, skimming involves quickly scanning a text to identify key sections like headings, bold text, and introductory sentences.
Train your eyes to spot headlines, subheadings, and bulleted points. These sections often contain the central ideas of a text.
Introductory paragraphs and concluding sentences frequently summarize the main points of a text.
Pay attention to bolded or italicized words and phrases, as they often highlight important information.
Identify transition words like "however," "therefore," and "because" as they signal shifts in ideas and can help you follow the main argument.
Skimming visuals like charts, graphs, and images can often provide a quick understanding of the main idea.
If you encounter dense or technical sections, skim them quickly or skip them altogether. You can always come back to them if needed.
Skimming is an active process. Don't just passively read the words; be engaged and ask yourself questions about the text.
The more you skim, the better you'll become at identifying key information quickly.
Skimming is a valuable technique for quickly grasping the main idea of a text, but it shouldn't replace close reading when needed for deeper comprehension.