Skimming and scanning the text

Skimming is reading very fast, looking for main ideas or facts or keywords in text. Always read the first and last paragraphs of sections of text to get summaries of the whole text. In each paragraph, usually the first and last sentences will give you an idea of what the paragraph is about.

Once you see a keyword, or a first or last sentence, slow down your reading to read for more understanding. Also slow down when you see bolded words, headings that stand alone, tables of information, and words in italics.

Also, when you are reading, you might want to back up and re-read something that isn't clear, or seems important.