Skimming refers to the process of reading only main ideas within a passage to get an overall impression of the content of a reading selection Skimming can save you hours of laborious reading However it is not always the most appropriate way to read It is very useful as a preview to a more detailed reading or when reviewing a selection heavy in content But when you skim you may miss important points or overlook the finer shadings of meaning for which rapid reading or perhaps even study reading may be necessary Use skimming to overview your textbook chapters or to review for a test Use skimming to decide if you need to read something at all for example during the preliminary research for a paper Skimming can tell you enough about the general idea and tone of the material as well as its gross similarity or difference from other sources to know if you need to read it at all Skimming refers to the process of reading only main ideas within a passage to get an overall impression of the content of a reading selection Skimming can save you hours of laborious reading However it is not always the most appropriate way to read It is very useful as a preview ...to a more detailed reading or when reviewing a selection heavy in content But when you skim you may miss important points or overlook the finer shadings of meaning for which rapid reading or perhaps even study reading may be necessary Use skimming to overview your textbook chapters or to review for a test Use skimming to decide if you need to read something at all for example during the preliminary research for a paper Skimming can tell you enough about the general idea and tone of the material as well as its gross similarity or difference from other sources to know if you need to read it at all