Course Catalog / BMU 030 / Lesson 3 of 5
BMU 030
Lesson 3: Skim first, then read close
Halfway review
1. What are the four questions?
See the answer
Who, what, by when, and next step.
2. Name one trick for a hard word.
See the answer
Use the words around it, look it up, or listen.
3. What goes on your word list?
See the answer
New words and what they mean.
Why this matters
A long letter can look like a wall of words. You do not have to read it all at the same speed.
In this lesson you will skim to find the main parts fast. Then you will read close only where it matters.
Start with what you already do
You already skim. You do it when you look for your name on a list.
Common belief: I have to read every line the same way.
What is actually true: Skim first to find the parts that matter. Then slow down on those parts.
In this lesson you will
- Skim a letter for headings, dates, and amounts
- Find the main point
- Mark the parts to read close
Key words
- skim
- Look over a page fast to find the main parts.
- heading
- A short title over a part of a letter, often in bold.
- read close
- Read slowly and carefully, maybe more than once.
Skim first
Spend one minute. Do not read every word. Look for:
- The title or the first line in bold.
- Headings.
- Dates.
- Dollar amounts.
- Words like must, due, or deadline.
Find the main point
The Federal Plain Language Guidelines tell government writers to put the most important information at the start. They also say to use lots of useful headings. So look at the start and the headings first.
Not every letter follows these rules. If the main point is not at the start, check the last part. Many letters end with what to do next.
Then read close
- Mark the parts that ask you to act.
- Read those parts slowly.
- Use your word tricks on hard words.
- Read them again if you need to.
Text version of this figure
Skim, then read close. Fast first, slow where it matters.
- Step 1, Skim one minute: Title, headings, dates, amounts.
- Step 2, Find the main point: Start first, then the end.
- Step 3, Mark action parts: Pay, sign, call, send, bring.
- Read close: Slow, and again if needed.
- Use your tricks: Words around it, Look Up, listen.
Source: Federal Plain Language Guidelines (Oct 29, 2026).
Worked example: Ana's benefits letter
Ana gets a three page letter about her benefits.
- She skims for one minute. She sees the heading What you need to do.
- Under it is a date, June 10, and the word must.
- She reads that part close. She must send a pay stub by June 10.
- She skips the long rules page for now and marks it to ask about.
Ana is a made up example.
Practice: Skim for the main point
Skim this made up notice. Name the main point and the part that tells you what to do.
- Heading: Changes to your bus pass. Line 1: Starting March 1, monthly passes cost $40. Heading: What you need to do. Line 2: Buy your March pass at a station or online by February 28.
Check your practice: feedback
- Main point: the monthly pass price goes up to $40 on March 1. What to do: the part under What you need to do. Buy the March pass by February 28.
Common mistakes
- Reading slowly from the first word to the last. Skim first.
- Skipping the action part. Mark it and read it close.
- Thinking you must get it all in one try. Read the key part more than once.
Try it: Skim and read close
Pick your scenario:
- My letters are short
- My letters are long, with many pages
- I read mail on a screen
- Pick a letter with no private details, or the sample in Lesson 1.
- Skim for one minute.
- Circle the headings, dates, and amounts.
- Mark the parts that ask you to act.
- Read those parts close.
Do it by: this week
Reflect
Did skimming first make the letter feel shorter?
Check your understanding
1. What do you look at first when you skim?
- Headings, dates, and amounts
- Every small word
- The fine print at the bottom
See the answer and feedback
A is correct. Yes. They show the main parts fast.
B: That is reading close. Review Skim first.
C: Fine print comes later. Skim headings, dates, and amounts first. Review Skim first.
2. Where do clear letters often put the main point?
- Only at the end
- Near the start
- In the fine print
See the answer and feedback
B is correct. Yes. Plain language rules say to put it first.
A: Check the start first. Review Find the main point.
C: The main point should be easy to find. Review Find the main point.
3. After you skim, what do you read close?
- Nothing more
- The greeting and the sign off
- The parts that ask you to act
See the answer and feedback
C is correct. Yes. Slow down where you need to act.
A: Key parts need a close read. Review Then read close.
B: Those rarely tell you what to do. Read the parts that ask you to act. Review Then read close.
Takeaway: skim first
- Read the title and headings first
- Look for bold words, dates, and money
- Find the part that says what to do
- Then read that part slowly
Recap
- Skim first for one minute.
- Look for headings, dates, and amounts.
- Find the main point at the start or end.
- Read the action parts close.
You now have: a skimmed letter with the action parts marked.
Next up
Next you will learn the kinds of mail and what you must do. Go to Lesson 4: Kinds of mail.
Sources
- Federal Plain Language Guidelines (March 2011, Rev. 1 May 2011), hosted by IES REL Central (current as of Oct 29, 2026)
