Transcript ACT Strategies: Skimming & Scanning

ACT Strategies:
Skimming & Scanning
Mrs. M. Kleimola
East Aurora High School
Spring 2013
The Strategies
• Both skimming and scanning allow readers to
take in large amounts of information in a small
amount of time.
• Both strategies are applicable beyond the ACT,
such as when doing research (college skill),
and when reviewing for a test.
Skimming & Scanning
Skimming works for
– Previewing
– Reviewing
– A timed setting such as
the ACT
– Finding the MAIN IDEA
of a passage
Scanning works while
– Looking for a keyword
(such as from an ACT
question)
– Deciding which item to
read (such as the results
of a search)
How to Skim
1.
2.
3.
4.
Read the title.
Read the first paragraph.
Read the first sentence of each body paragraph.
Notice any text features such as bolded or
italicized words, charts, and pictures.
5. Read the last paragraph.
FOCUS: Words that answer the questions Who?
What? Where? When? Why? How?
How to Scan
1. Try to move eyes up and down the text to
find a specific word, phrase, or piece of
information.
2. Once you find the word or phrase, be sure
read the surrounding sentences in order to
get in deeper and find the meaning/answer.
How to Use Skimming & Scanning on
the ACT, PLAN, or EXPLORE
• These skills are especially helpful on the two
“open book” tests: Reading & Science.
• Skimming is best applied to NON-FICTION
passages, which comprise 75% of the Reading
Test, and of course, 100% of the Science Test.
ACT Spotlight
On the ACT Reading Test the title can be
extremely helpful in determining the Main
Idea, but most students miss the title. Please
refer to the graphic on the following slide…
Things to Notice
• The passage type is SOCIAL SCIENCE
• The passage is an excerpt from a piece
entitled “Green Music in the Rain Forest” by
Suzanne Charlé
• There are actually very few text features
(bolded words, etc.) on the Reading Test. Why
might that be?
Application
• Practice skimming in the classroom to review
content-area material.
• Practice scanning for the answers to
discussion or other questions in class.