Scanning and Skimming are useful skills, especially in our endeavors this summer.
             Scanning involves a process of quickly searching reading materials in order to
locate specific bits of information.  When scanning you don't start from the beginning
and read to the end.  Instead, what you do is jump around in the text, trying to find
the information you need.  You probably already scan the TV guide, the phone book,
or the dictionary, but it is possible to improve your scanning skills.  Effective scanning
techniques can be useful in any academic setting.   
              Skimming is another technique whose purpose is to gain a quick overview
in order to identify the main points.  When skimming, you will often skip words,
sentences, and paragraphs.  When you are satisfied you have a general understanding
of the author's main ideas and key points, you put the reading material aside.  Skimming
can serve as a substitute for careful reading.  Some useful techniques are to read the
first and last sentences of paragraphs, the introduction, and the summary if one is
provided.  When examples are given, you may want to read a few of them until you
understand the concepts they are meant to illustrate.  When skimming a textbook,
quickly note the title, subheadings, italicized words, boldface print, and illustrations.
Skimming will not serve as a substitute for careful reading, but it can serve you
well when you have put off until tomorrow what you should have done yesterday!
             Both scanning and skimming can help you locate specific pieces of information
and gain an overview of the main points in an article or text.  Do not rely on these
techniques for more sophisticated college courses, but they will come in handy if
you are pressed for time and working under a deadline! 
              There are different ways we can organize our reading material.  Sometimes
you may feel overwhelmed by a textbook or books.  You can use various techniques
to help yourself organize the material.  These might include: annotating, outlining,
mapping, making time lines, compare and contrast charts, & Venn diagrams.
 
Annotating means to make explanatory notes. You may underline passages, highlight sections
or write in the margins of the book.  Keep in mind that less is often better.  Your writing in
the margins should be your reaction to the material, or your opinion about the information.

Outlining is a more formal way to organize material.  An outline reflects an orderly arrangement
of the ideas you need to master. Outlines move from the general to the specific.  A
topical outline is made up of single words, while a descriptive outline includes more information.

Mapping involves a more free-form technique than outlining.  Some people do not do well
with outlines.  If you are that sort of person, you might find mapping more useful.
First, write down the main idea or thesis of some material.  Draw a circle or box around
it.  Then find material which supports that main idea, draw a box or circle around it,
and connect these boxes and circles with lines.  This method produces a graphic summary
of the material.  (similar to clustering)

Time lines  are useful devices for arranging chronological material.  You can create either a
vertical or horizontal timeline in order to most effectively arrange the ideas you want to
organize.

 

A Time line:

1910-17: Jazz Begins in New Orleans     1920's Swing Begins

                  1917- Storyville Closed                                       1940's-50's  Cool Jazz Era
    
     
Compare and Contrast Charts    
   
Cool Jazz, Free Jazz, and Jazz Rock
 

 Venn Diagrams:  see page 502 in your book.  This is composed of intersecting

circles to show the relationships between ideas.... 

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