---
title: "Choosing How to Read a Text"
description: "Match the reading to the job: skim to see whether a text is worth the time, scan for one fact, read closely when the wording carries the argument, reread when the first pass did not hold. Reading ever"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/choosing-how-to-read-a-text-mt_P8WoRvRp1m
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/choosing-how-to-read-a-text-mt_P8WoRvRp1m.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Choosing How to Read a Text

Match the reading to the job: skim to see whether a text is worth the time, scan for one fact, read closely when the wording carries the argument, reread when the first pass did not hold. Reading everything at one speed wastes the hours that the hard texts need.

Subject: English · Area: English Thinking · Ages 12 to 14
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/choosing-how-to-read-a-text-mt_P8WoRvRp1m

## Ready when they can

- Say before starting which of skim, scan or close read the task needs, and why
- Switch approach mid-text when the first choice stops working, and name the moment it stopped
- Justify rereading a paragraph rather than pressing on, pointing at what did not resolve

## Lesson: Read each text the way it needs

Match your reading to the job. Skim to judge if a text deserves your time, scan to hunt one fact, and read closely when the wording carries the argument. Reading everything at one speed wastes the hours that hard texts need.

**Example.** Need the year a bridge opened. Scan headings and search for numbers until the date pops out. Need to say what the author believes. Slow down, mark the thesis, and note the evidence in your own words. Before you start, name your approach and your reason in one sentence.

Switch gears the moment your first choice stops working. If skimming no longer answers your question, slow to a close read. If a paragraph stays foggy, reread that knot and point at the lines that stayed foggy instead of pressing on blind.

**Tip.** Before you start, name your approach and your reason in one sentence. After a reread, point at what finally resolved. That habit turns rereading from shame into method.

**Recap.** Pick skim, scan, or close reading for the job, switch when stuck, and reread the knot.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Wide Independent Reading Across Genres](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/wide-independent-reading-across-genres-mt_9k1qcpvVi_)
- [Monitoring Comprehension](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/monitoring-comprehension-mt_GugVunb2lI)

## Opens up

- [Checking a Claim Before You Repeat It](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/checking-a-claim-before-you-repeat-it-mt_alX03luQ-m)