Reading strategies vary depending on the reader’s purpose and the nature of the material. Skimming involves running eyes over text to get the “gist” or main idea quickly. Scanning is used when searching for a specific piece of information, like a date or name. Intensive reading requires a deep, focused analysis of short, difficult texts to extract every detail. Extensive reading involves reading longer texts for pleasure or general information, often at a lower difficulty level. Critical reading is used to evaluate the validity and bias of an author’s argument. Analytical reading goes a step further by breaking down the structure and logic of the work. Finally, Reflective reading involves personal connection, where the reader relates the text to their own life.
