Reading Strategies

A) Skimming

Reading quickly to get the general idea or main point of a text. You do not read every word.

When to use: When you want to know what a text is about before reading it fully.

How:

• Read the title
• Read headings
• Read first and last paragraphs
• Read topic sentences

B) Scanning

Reading quickly to find a specific piece of information.

When to use: When you are looking for a name, date, number, or keyword.

How:

• Move your eyes rapidly across the page until you find the required information

Tip:
Skimming = big picture
Scanning = specific detail

C) SQ4R Method

A structured strategy for deep reading and understanding:

• S — Survey: Quickly look over the text (headings, subheadings, images)
• Q — Question: Turn headings into questions
(e.g., “Sentence Structure” → “What are the types of sentence structure?”)
• R — Read: Read carefully to find answers
• R — Recite: Close the book and recall in your own words
• R — Review: Go over the material again to strengthen memory
• R — Reflect: Think about what you learned and connect it to prior knowledge

D) Critical Reading

Reading with an active, questioning mind — not just accepting everything as truth.

Steps:

• Identify the main argument or claim
• Look for evidence — is it strong or weak?
• Identify bias or assumptions
• Evaluate whether the conclusion makes sense
• Compare with other sources