SCANNING FOR DETAILS






Scanning is reading rapidly in order to find specific facts. Scanning is a reading technique in which a reader scans the page with their eyes in order to find specific information.

To scan implies to search for something. Scanning is a selective reading approach performed by the reader when he or she is looking for certain information or text contained in the section without entirely reading the text. As a result, when you scan some material, you already know what you’re searching for; all you have to do is spot and swoop it down.

Here’s an illustration of a scanning technique: When looking for a phone number in a directory, a person scans the page for the name of the exact person they are looking for. To effectively scan, the reader must first comprehend how the content is organized and decipher what is read in order to easily discover the required information.

Purposes of Scanning

  1. To search for a word in a dictionary or index
  2. To find a phone number or an address in a directory
  3. To check the time schedule of a program in an agenda
  4. To check the price of a specific item in a catalog
  5. To know a particular information from a text

Scanning: Steps to Follow

Before starting to scan a text for a particular information, you know some basic things about that text. You will not be able to scan a text efficiently if you do not have a basic idea about that text. If the text is completely unknown to you, you should skim it first to get some ideas about that text. This will help you to guess the section or part of the text where you might find the information you need.

Notice how the information is arranged. It can be arranged either alphabetically or numerically. However, some texts are not arranged at all. In that case, you have to guess a section and scan it through to get your information.

Scanning a random unknown page of a text is difficult. It may take more time than the usual. However, it won’t take too much time if you move your eyes vertically and diagonally keeping in mind the exact letters or numbers you are looking for.

How to scan?

You need to set goals, find them in the right place and know how the information is formed. You can also learn to use your hands when scanning. Using your hands can help you focus while scanning. When you point to the text list, your eyes are not only focused on one text but also the text above and below it. Let your eyes work to find the information you need.

Example 1: Scanning for a Date in a History Text


Imagine you’re reading a passage about World War II, and you need to find the date when it ended. You don’t need to read every word but can scan the text, focusing only on numbers or the word “surrender” to quickly find the date “September 2, 1945.”

Text Excerpt:

“World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved most of the world’s nations and was marked by major events like the Normandy landings and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The war officially ended when Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945.”

Scanning Focus: You would look for “1945” or “surrendered” to pinpoint the exact date.


Example 2: Scanning for a Name in a News Article

You’re reading an article about climate change, but you’re only interested in what the UN Secretary-General said. You can scan for “United Nations,” “Secretary-General,” or the name “António Guterres” to find his comments.

Text Excerpt:

“The recent climate summit has highlighted the growing concerns about global warming. António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, stated that urgent action is required to meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement.”

Scanning Focus: Look for “António Guterres” or “United Nations Secretary-General.”


Example 3: Scanning for a Keyword in a Scientific Paper

You’re reading a scientific paper on renewable energy, and you only want to find sections discussing “solar power.” Instead of reading the entire paper, you scan the headings, subheadings, and body for the words “solar power” or related terms like “photovoltaic.”

Text Excerpt:

“Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power are becoming increasingly important in the fight against climate change. Solar power, in particular, has seen a dramatic increase in investment over the past decade, due to its potential for scalability and sustainability.”

Scanning Focus: You would scan for “solar power” to quickly find relevant information.


Example 4: Scanning a Schedule or List for a Specific Item

You’re looking at a train schedule and want to find the next train to “Surabaya.” You scan the list of destinations and departure times until you find “Surabaya” without reading the rest of the schedule.

Train Schedule Excerpt:

• Jakarta: 10:00 AM

• Bandung: 10:30 AM

• Surabaya: 11:00 AM

• Yogyakarta: 11:30 AM

Scanning Focus: Look for “Surabaya” and note the departure time of 11:00 AM.

In each case, scanning allows you to quickly locate specific information without reading the entire text. You focus on identifying keywords or recognizable patterns, such as numbers, names, or terms.

 


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