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RMIT University Library - Learning Lab

Strategies for skimming and scanning

 

Examples of skimming and scanning strategies

Read the topic sentence for the main idea

The functions of a team leader may often vary. Maxwell (2011) points to the various roles a leader must play depending on the nature of the team. The leader may function predominantly as a supervisor but at times will need to take on roles such as motivator, communicator and expert. Since the team leader will have different skills in these roles, it is likely that they may not perform each role equally well. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that the role of the team leader is not always necessarily an asset.

Topic sentence

Scan for key words

The functions of a team leader may often vary. Maxwell (2011) points to the various roles a leader must play depending on the nature of the team. The leader may function predominantly as a supervisor but at times will need to take on roles such as motivator, communicator and expert. Since the team leader will have different skills in these roles, it is likely that they may not perform each role equally well. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that the role of the team leader is not always necessarily an asset.

Key words

Scan for linking words

The function of a team leader may often vary. Maxwell (2011) points to the various roles a leader must play depending on the nature of the team. The leader may function predominantly as a supervisor but at times will need to take on roles such as motivator, communicator and expert. Since the team leader will have different skills in these roles, it is likely that they may not perform each role equally well. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that the role of the team leader is not always neccesarily an asset.

Linking words

Read the topic sentence for the main idea

[Topic sentence: The functions of a team leader may often vary]. Maxwell (2011) points to the various roles a leader must play depending on the nature of the team. The leader may function predominantly as a supervisor but at times will need to take on roles such as motivator, communicator and expert. Since the team leader will have different skills in these roles, it is likely that they may not perform each role equally well. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that the role of the team leader is not always necessarily an asset.

Scan for key words

The [key word: functions] of a [key word: team leader] may often [key word: vary]. Maxwell (2011) points to the [key word: various roles] a [key word: leader] must play depending on the nature of the[key word: team]. The [key word: leader] may function predominantly as a supervisor but at times will need to take on roles such as motivator, communicator and expert. Since the [keyword: team leader] will have [key word: different skills] in these [key word: roles], it is likely that they may not perform each [key word: role] equally well. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that the [key word: role] of the [key word: team leader] is not always necessarily an asset.

Scan for linking words

The function of a team leader may often vary. Maxwell (2011) points to the various roles a leader must play [linking word: depending on] the nature of the team. The leader may function predominantly as a supervisor but at times will need to take on roles [linking word: such as] motivator, communicator and expert.[LInking word: Since] the team leader will have different skills in these roles, it is likely that they may not perform each role equally well. [Linking word: Therefore], it is reasonable to argue that the role of the team leader is not always neccesarily an asset.

Once you've completed skimming and scanning, you will need to organise the information.