Skimming and scanning are important reading strategies that can save you a great deal of time and effort, so are worth mastering.

Note - some of these sites include quizzes and interactive games to test your reading skills!

• 6 reading strategies

• Skimming and scanning and other reading strategies

• Skimming

• Skimming sources checklist

• Scanning

• Finding facts from what you read - a very simple interactive tutorial and tool.

Techniques for increasing your reading speed include:

• Having an eye checkup

• Not vocalizing as you read - you think much faster than you speak

• Not hopping back and forth - disipline your eye movements

• Read more than one word at a time

Read critically!

• Do you need to read this information?

  • Have in mind your key words for the research assignment, refer back to the assignment to keep on track.

  • Before you even start reading, evaluate the credibility of the source by checking author/authority, publisher, publication date. See also website evaluation

  • While you read, compare it to what you already know or have read from other sources. Do not worry if you find conflicting information; this is quite normal in a world full of information. Point it out to your teacher or friendly teacher librarian and they will help you play detective and work out which is the correct information.

• Can you understand it?

  • Are there lots of words you've never seen before? If the text fails your 5 finger test, then look for another one! Seek help from your teacher or your friendly teacher librarian!

• Don't forget to 'read' the illustrations, diagrams etc - you might find them easier to understand and they might be worth using in your assignment (with the source properly cited of course!).

• Do you have problems concentrating on your reading? Do you forget what you read the minute you finish? Following the five steps of SQ3R can help you to process and remember what you read!

• Use the PORPE method with your textbook to prepare for tests and exams.

• Use reading short-cuts

  • use the index and contents pages to go straight to the volume/page you need.

  • use heading and subheadings

  • read the first and last paragraphs and the first and last sentences of paragraphs.

  • on a web page or document, use the 'Find' function to zoom in on your key words or phrases.

• Read actively - make notes as you go, also record your sources as you read. Add page number references to help you re-visit the original information if necessary.