Table of content
Start of Chapter : Learn to skim read
Previous: Skim reading computer monitor
Skim reading exercises
Below are some exercises for you. These will help you learn the skim reading technique.
Structured reading exercise
Find a structured text for this exercise. It could be a textbook, business book or any other structured material. Skim read the text using the techniques outlined in this chapter for structured text. Specifically, skim read by looking at clues such as front and back covers, tables of contents, index, headings and other organizers. Practice picking up these clues using a regulator, i.e. point to each of these items using your finger or pen. Try these exercises:
Structured skim reading drill 1
Follow these steps:
- Set a countdown timer for 2 minutes, plus 2 seconds per page.
- Start reading the structured content in this order: Covers, table of contents, index, first and second level headings. Focus on getting your eyes to the right places. Don't worry too much about content yet.
- Aim to finish within the time you allotted.
Structured skim reading drill 2
Follow the same steps as for skim reading drill 1; however, also skim read the introduction, all headings, all bolded text, plus the first sentence of each paragraph. Give yourself 4 minutes plus 3 seconds per page.
Unstructured reading exercise
Find an unstructured text for this exercise. It could be a novel or a biography of a famous person you've always wanted to know more about. It should have large sections of text with few headings and other organizing features.
Unstructured skim reading drill 1
Follow these steps: If you come across any organizing features during this exercise (for example headings, bold text, diagrams), just skip over them for now.
- Pick a starting page, mark it, read for ten minutes at your normal pace, and mark where you finished.
- Count the pages you've read during that time.
- Starting from where you finished, count out three times the number of pages you read. If you read 4 pages in 10 minutes, count 12 pages ahead.
- Aim to skim read that number of pages in next ten minutes.
- Write down a few points on what you read.
- Optional: Reread the material at a slower pace to see where you might have picked up more key points.
Unstructured skim reading drill 2
Follow the same steps as for the drill above, except count out five times that many pages. Aim to skim read that number in ten minutes.
Keep following these steps, but increase your number of target pages. Keep this up over several days until you reach approximately 5-7 seconds per page. Remember, the aim is to develop your skim reading skills. The focus is on speed while picking up as much information possible during a fixed time per page.
Combined skim reading exercise
Now that you've practiced skim reading structured and unstructured text, it's time to bring these skills together.
Combined skim reading drill 1
Find a book that has a good combination of both structured and unstructured text and try the following exercise.
- Pick one chapter from your book that's of average size and count the pages. Allow yourself 4 minutes plus 7 seconds for each page in that chapter. Set a countdown timer if possible.
- Skim read the covers, table of contents, index, and introduction.
- Proceed to your chosen chapter and skim read the headings, bolded text, and unstructured text in one read. Aim to finish within the time you set.
- Write some notes about what you've read.
- Reread the chapter at a slower pace, noting any important points you missed.
Repeat the drill using different chapters over a few days.
Next: Summary
|
