Skimming vs. Scanning — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
Skimming is quickly reading a text to get its general idea. Scanning is rapidly searching text for specific information. Both are reading techniques but differ in purpose: skimming for overall understanding, scanning for particular details.
Difference Between Skimming and Scanning
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Skimming is a reading technique where you read material quickly to grasp the general idea or overview. Scanning, on the other hand, involves searching through text to find specific details or pieces of information. While skimming aims to understand the text broadly, scanning has a more targeted focus.
Skimming usually involves reading the headings, subheadings, and perhaps the first and last sentences of paragraphs. Scanning involves pinpointing keywords, figures, or particular phrases to locate specific information. Both techniques can be valuable but serve different functions in the reading process.
In skimming, you're not reading for detail but for a general understanding. Scanning doesn't require an understanding of the whole text but needs a sharp focus to quickly locate the desired information. While skimming gives you a map of the text, scanning takes you directly to the landmarks.
When practicing skimming, one may skip a majority of the text to grasp the essence. Scanning often involves moving one's eyes in a systematic way, perhaps in a zigzag or columnar pattern, to find what's being sought. Both skimming and scanning are essential skills, especially in academic and professional settings where time is often limited.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
General Idea
Specific Details
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Focus
Headings & Summary
Keywords & Figures
Speed
Fast
Fast
Level of Detail
Low
High
Usage Context
Academic, Casual
Academic, Research
Compare with Definitions
Skimming
Skimming is the act of quickly reading text to gain an overall impression.
I was skimming through the newspaper when I saw the headline.
Scanning
Scanning is rapidly searching text for specific details or information.
He was scanning the document for his name.
Skimming
Skimming is reading lightly to determine the basic content of a text.
She skimmed the email to see if it was urgent.
Scanning
Scanning means examining a text systematically to find what you're looking for.
I was scanning the grocery list for the ingredients I need.
Skimming
Skimming involves reading headlines and summaries to grasp main points.
She was skimming the article to prepare for her presentation.
Scanning
Scanning is looking through material to locate targeted elements.
I scanned the room for familiar faces.
Skimming
Skimming is selectively reading portions of text to understand its essence.
I skimmed the manual and got a good sense of how to operate the machine.
Scanning
Scanning is reading quickly but intently to locate precise items.
He scanned the sports section for the latest scores.
Skimming
Skimming means quickly surveying a text without focusing on details.
He was skimming through his notes before the exam.
Scanning
To look at carefully or thoroughly, especially in search of something; examine
The sailor scanned the horizon for signs of land.
Skimming
A portion that has been skimmed from a liquid.
Scanning
To look over quickly or read hastily
I scanned the newspaper while eating breakfast.
Skimming
An embezzlement fraud in which the information on a credit card is copied, usually when the owner uses the card to make a purchase, and is then loaded onto a fake card to be used fraudulently.
Scanning
(Computers)To search (stored data) automatically for specific data.
Skimming
Present participle of skim
Scanning
To direct a finely focused beam of light or electrons in a systematic pattern over (a surface) in order to reproduce or sense and subsequently transmit an image.
Skimming
Something skimmed from a surface etc.
Aluminium skimmings
Sorghum syrup skimmings
Scanning
To direct a radar beam in a systematic pattern across (a sector of sky) in search of a target.
Skimming
A motion or action that skims.
Scanning
To encode (text, for example) in digital format by means of an optical scanner.
Skimming
(uncountable) The sport of skimboarding.
Scanning
(Medicine)To direct x-rays or other energy at (a body or body part) in order to produce an image, as with a CT scanner.
Skimming
(crime) The act of fraudulently copying a magnetic stripe from a magnetic stripe card, such as found on credit cards and bank cards, through the use of a skimmer
Scanning
To pass (luggage, for example) through a detector at a security checkpoint in order to detect weapons or banned materials.
Skimming
The act of one who skims.
Scanning
To analyze (verse) into metrical patterns.
Skimming
That which is skimmed from the surface of a liquid; - chiefly used in the plural; as, the skimmings of broth.
Scanning
To analyze verse into metrical patterns.
Skimming
The act of removing floating material from the surface of a liquid
Scanning
To conform to a metrical pattern
Does this line scan?.
Skimming
Reading or glancing through quickly
Scanning
The act or an instance of scanning
My scan of the files.
Skimming
Failure to declare income in order to avoid paying taxes on it
Scanning
The action or process of scanning a body or body part.
Skimming
The act of brushing against while passing
Scanning
An image produced by scanning.
Scanning
Present participle of scan
Scanning
The act of something being scanned.
Scanning
The process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer
Scanning
The act of systematically moving a finely focused beam of light or electrons over a surface in order to produce an image of it for analysis or transmission
Scanning
Scanning involves identifying keywords or phrases to find particular data.
She scanned the index to find the relevant chapter.
Common Curiosities
When should I scan?
Scan when you're looking for specific details.
What is scanning?
Scanning is rapidly searching text for specific information.
Is scanning faster than skimming?
Both are fast but focus on different aspects of reading.
What is skimming?
Skimming is quickly reading a text to get its general idea.
Is skimming less thorough than scanning?
Skimming is less detailed but aims for a broad understanding.
What's the focus in skimming?
The focus is on headings, subheadings, and summaries.
What's the focus in scanning?
The focus is on keywords, figures, or specific phrases.
When should I skim?
Skim when you need an overall understanding of a text.
Can I do both skimming and scanning?
Yes, both can be combined depending on your reading goals.
How can I improve my scanning skills?
Practice by searching for particular items in a variety of texts.
How can I improve my skimming skills?
Practice by quickly reading texts and summarizing the main points.
Is skimming the same as shallow reading?
Skimming is a form of shallow reading but serves a specific purpose.
Is skimming useful for academic reading?
Skimming is useful for initial understanding before deep reading.
Is scanning only for textual reading?
Scanning can be applied to other contexts like searching in a room.
Is scanning useful for research?
Scanning is useful for finding specific data or references.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
