Scanning is an important speed reading technique that all good readers should have in their reading repertoire, and it works with all writing modes. Scanning is used to locate specific information for a clearly defined purpose. For example, if a reader needs to know the performance of a particular baseball player in the World Series, it is not necessary to read an entire book on that World Series to find out everything that player did in that series. The reader could simply look up the player’s name and read the surrounding sentences or paragraphs pertaining to that player.
Although this sounds like “common sense,” it is actually a learned reading skill. Effective teaching can significantly improve scanning accuracy and reading speed. Knowledge of print, knowledge of expository structure, and directed eye movement are the keys to this instruction.
Readers must first select the keywords and possible synonyms to search for before they begin scanning. Next, readers should carefully examine what these search items look like. Are they long or short words? Is there a capital? Are there quotes or hyphens? Are there any notable prefixes or suffixes? Readers must then commit the key word(s) to memory by tracing the letters with their fingers or writing them down. After this, the readers should close their eyes and visualize the word(s).
Second, readers should examine the mode of writing and adjust their keyword search according to the particular organization of that mode of writing. Is it narrative? If so, the organization of the reading passage will usually be chronological and follow the outline of the story. Chapter titles can also be helpful. Is it expository? If so, the organization of the reading passage could be by concept, comparison, cause-effect, or order of importance. Graphics in the text, such as subheadings, charts, and images, can narrow your search. Book study aids, including the table of contents, study questions, and summary, can help identify where information is developed.
Third, readers should run their index finger down the center of each page, using their peripheral vision to look for keywords on the left and right sides of each page. How thorough the search needs to be will determine how fast the finger moves. Readers should read the sentence in which the keyword(s) appears.
Scanning quality and efficiency can be improved with proper use of this speed reading strategy and a good amount of practice.