Scanning For Specific Information

 
   
Academic reading is not like reading a novel or a newspaper.  Textbooks are designed to give you specific information.  When you read a textbook or take a reading comprehension test, you often need to find specific information in order to answer questions on tests.  Looking for specific information in reading is called scanning

Scanning is like...
 
 

Barcode reading.

You know those things that beep when you are buying groceries?  When you are
scanning, you are acting like a barcode reader.

Tips for Scanning
    1. Focus (concentrate) on what you understand, not on what you don’t understand.

    2. Whenever possible, guess the meaning of new words from the context.

    3. To find information quickly, have a question in your mind.  Then SCAN the reading – look quickly for the important words.  Run your finger down the page until the answer “jumps out” at you.  Don’t read any more than necessary in order to answer your question.


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