smart skimming

[snugglekitty]

I was talking to 7j recently about my technique for smart skimming, and she asked me to write a post about it, so I am.

Let me say first that in the vast majority of cases, most books are best read word for word, cover to cover. That is GTATH (Gospel Truth, According to Honey). However, occaisionally it happens that that doesn't work. Why? Maybe you have a very limited amount of time. Maybe the book is non-circulating, and you want to find out if it's worth it to buy your own copy. Maybe you are looking for a particular piece of information, and the book lacks an index or useful chapter headings. Or perhaps you have to read this book even though you don't really want to. If you have ever found yourself in one of these situations, read on.

Smart skimming is something that I learned in high school by fusing the methods of two of my teachers. It is a super way to assimilate data when you don't have a lot of time. It takes advantage of conventions about what makes a book readable and easy to understand, mostly to do with the internal structure of a book.



So, here's what you do:

1) Look at the cover of the book. Read the back, look at the pictures.
2) Read the preface if it has one. Read the introduction if it has one. Read the entire first chapter. Pay attention!
3) When you get to the beginning of the second chapter, start skimming. Read the first paragraph of the second chapter in full. Read the first sentence of the next paragraph, and all following paragraphs. Read the last paragraph in its entirety.
4) As you do this, read the heading and initial paragraph for any new section within the chapter. Read in full any paragraph that looks interesting. Look at any charts or pictures and read their captions. Read any box insets if it's that sort of book.
5) Also as you do this, ask yourself periodically if you understand what's going on well enough to summarize it to someone else. If you feel like you're not getting the general drift of a particular concept or chapter, read more deeply. If necessary, re-read the beginning paragraphs and sentences to get back on track.
6) Do this for each subsequent chapter, through the second-to-last.
7) Read the final chapter in full, as well as any afterwords, notes, etc. Generally the contents of the book will be summarized in the final chapter, and this will give you the opportunity to find out if you missed any major points. If so, go back and read in those chapters.

Some caveats -

- This is not the same as reading the book cover to cover. Really.
- You will probably find that you can't employ this technique for as long as you would regular reading. I can only do it for a few hours at a stretch. Then I need a while to assimilate and integrate the information. It helps to have some quiet time afterwards to think over what you read.
- This technique works best with textbook-style nonfiction. It often works with fiction and other nonfiction too, but only if the book is written with a conventional internal structure.
- As with any other form of assimiliating information, if you don't use the information, your brain will not store it in long-term memory.



Tell me something interesting YOU know about finding, assimiliating, or storing information.

Comments

[katkt.livejournal.com]

Tell me something interesting YOU know about finding, assimiliating, or storing information.

Individuals will vary, but as a general rule librarians are both very good at finding information, and excited about helping you do it. So don't hesitate to ask the librarian a question, or just generally for advice and help. Odds are it will make them happy.

I don't know if that qualifies, but I always have to overcome an instinct "not to be a bother", and it's totally worth overcoming.