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Highlighting

/ˈhaɪ.laɪ.tɪŋ/verb / noun

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Highlighting is the act of drawing attention to specific elements, making them stand out for emphasis or clarity, much like shining a spotlight on a stage. In modern contexts, it's widely used in digital tools for annotating text or in presentations to prioritize key information, but it can also backfire by overwhelming audiences if overdone.

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Studies from the University of Waterloo in 2013 revealed that while highlighting text can boost short-term recall by up to 25% when used sparingly, over-highlighting often creates an 'illusion of competence' that tricks people into thinking they've mastered the material—leading to poorer long-term retention without active review.

Verified Sources

Oxford English DictionaryMerriam-Webster DictionaryEtymonlineUniversity of Waterloo Study on Highlighting

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