Lifelong Learning Hub (Skye and Lochalsh)

Reading Techniques

If your chosen learning involves reading, you may find it reassuring to know that it is considered good practice for students to employ a range of reading techniques to suit their needs. A key skill for students is to know when to read deeply, and when it is ok to read selectively.

There are three main types of reading:

Focused Reading:

This is where you have lots of time available and you are reading books fully, or you are reading with a specific question in mind. It is likely that you will read passages several times to check your understanding. This is the most time-consuming technique and, as such, it is not helpful to believe that this is the only strategy.

The above information is based upon the ideas offered within the OpenLearn free course ‘Reading and Note Taking – Preparation for Study’ Reading and note taking – preparation for study: 2.3 Reading techniques: focused reading | OpenLearn – Open University

Skim Reading:

Skim reading offers an alternative. Here, you look over a text quickly to get the general idea of it. You don’t need to read every word – just pick out key words and sentences. It is suggested that you:

  • Read the first paragraph and last paragraph in full.
  • Read the opening words and closing words of the paragraphs in between.
  • Use headings, sub-headings, bullet points or key words
    (those in bold, italics, capitals or underlined) to guide you.

This material has been copied from: Skimming and scanning texts – English – Learning with BBC Bitesize

Scan Reading:

Scanning is when you look over a text quickly, line by line, hunting for key words, dates, names and numbers. It’s a useful skill to use when you need answers to specific questions. You are advised:

  • You don’t need to read every word. Just look for the information you want.
  • Again, use headings, sub-headings, bullet points or key words to guide you.

Copied from: Skimming and scanning texts – English – Learning with BBC Bitesize

In the interests of efficiency, and self-care, readers should understand that it is considered good practice to shift between all three strategies according to need.