Evaluating Interactive Highlighting Techniques in Digital Reading: An Empirical Study of Hover-Based Line, Sentence, and Paragraph Highlighting
Szabolcs Vatánya, Thi Huyen Nguyenb, Anikó Illésa, and Ann Bessemansc
a Doctoral School, Moholy Nagy University of Art and Design; b Data Science Institute, Hasselt University; c Faculty of Architecture and Art, Hasselt University, READSEARCH research group
Corresponding author: Szabolcs Vatány (vatany.sz[at]gmail.com)
attention sustainment; digital reading; interactive highlighting; reading comprehension; typographic design; user experience
Abstract: Maintaining user engagement and supporting comprehension remain key challenges in digital reading environments. This study examines the impact of interactive hover-based text highlighting—on the line, sentence, and paragraph levels—on reading speed, comprehension, perceived attention, and user preferences during interlude reading. In a study with 80 participants, we compared these interactive techniques to static text presentations. While no statistically significant differences were observed in comprehension or reading speed across the tested highlighting methods, participants’ subjective ratings showed significantly higher perceived attention sustainment with sentence- and paragraph-level highlighting compared to the static condition. These findings suggest that while such techniques may not enhance measurable reading performance, they can positively influence user experience. This work informs the design of digital reading interfaces by presenting the potential of user-preferred interaction mechanisms to support attentional engagement. Future research should investigate the long-term effects and adaptation to mobile contexts, as well as assess the relevance of these techniques for readers with attentional variability.
Implications for practice: Designers of digital reading interfaces should note that while interactive hover-based highlighting does not directly improve comprehension or reading speed, it can meaningfully enhance readers’ perceived focus. Highlighting by grammatical units—sentences or paragraphs—was both preferred and rated as more attention-sustaining than line-by-line highlighting, which divided users. This distinction matters: aligning highlights with how readers naturally process meaning appears more effective than segmenting by visual lines. However, highlighting alone should not be expected to boost learning outcomes. Its practical value lies in supporting sustained engagement, particularly when integrated alongside comprehension-oriented strategies in e-reading tools and digital textbooks.
Keywords: attention sustainment; digital reading; interactive highlighting; reading comprehension; typographic design; user experience
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Cite this article:
Vatány, S., Nguyen, T. H., Illés, A., & Bessemans, A. (2026). Evaluating interactive highlighting techniques in digital reading: An empirical study of hover-based line, sentence, and paragraph highlighting. Visible Language, 60(1), 58–83. https://www.visible-language.org/journal/issue-60-1-highlighting-techniques
First published online April 26, 2026. © 2026 Visible Language — this article is open access, published under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.
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