Effectiveness of highlighting for retention of text material.

Abstract

The effectiveness of "highlighting" selected text material for improving retention was examined in 4 groups of 19 college students each. Although there were no differences among the groups in total score on a retention test one week after reading with different highlighting techniques or no highlighting, a detailed analysis implied that highlighting improves retention of selected text material and that active highlighting is superior to passive reading of highlighted material. Highlighting seemed most effectiv…