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3.4.3 Skim reading

Preview

Prepare the mind and categorise the material. Check any summary of the material you are about to read (i.e. contents page, structure, short author's blurb, etc.).

Look for critical issues or material you know is the main reason for reviewing the material.

Don't be afraid to ditch an irrelevant of seemingly useless set of readings. Remember skim reading may be the best way to prioritise what you do go onto read in full.

Scan

Once you have found the summaries, diagrams, charts and other visual material that overview the reading focus on the key areas. Now scan those sections for relevant material.

Skim

Run you eye down a page or a couple of paragraphs with questions in mind - use your finger - focus on your attention to the search. Keep you mind active and skim quickly. Don't worry about the odd phrase. Don't slow down. Read summaries, headings and sub headings and look at figures, diagrams and other visual material. Then decide whether:

Read in detail only what you have to - scan/skim the rest.

Recall

We quickly forget 80% of what we read, so make your notes during your reading session and then put the book/article to one side and write down useful points you have recalled. Do this at appropriate intervals eg. at the end of a section or, if the material is particularly complex, at the end of a paragraph.

Review

Go back over the text to check you've got it right and fill in any important details or quotations.

 

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