Idea 58: Guidelines for effective scanning
Some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.
Francis Bacon, English philosopher and writer
1. Prepare by previewing the content of the piece that interests you – study the title, subheadings, illustrations and the writer’s aims in writing.
2. Look at the writer’s pattern – the structure plan or method that he or she has adopted – the table of contents, rough lengths of chapters, appendices and notes.
3. Sample one or two paragraphs to test the writing: density of thought, tone, intelligibility, the ‘ring of truth’.
4. Scan – if you’re still interested – the whole or selected parts, looking more closely for the necklace thread of the argument or theme: key paragraphs, sentences or words.
5. Develop your actual reading speed with long, rhythmic eye sweeps, both horizontal and vertical.
6. Examine more closely the parts or passages that especially interest you, rereading where necessary.