A method, comprising: at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display device displaying, via the touch-sensitive display device, content including a plurality of sets of characters; while displaying the plurality of sets of characters, detecting a touch gesture at a first location corresponding to a set of characters of the plurality of sets of characters, wherein an initial portion of the touch gesture includes maintaining a stationary contact at the first location for more than a predetermined time; in response to detecting the initial portion of the touch gesture: displaying an animation of a selection representation around the set of characters that starts at a first size and finishes at a second size, smaller than the first size, to visually distinguish the set of characters, wherein the first size is larger than an area determined to be the initial portion of the touch gesture; and displaying a first indicator at a first end of the set of characters and a second indicator at a second end of the set of characters; while detecting that the touch gesture is maintained on the touch-sensitive display device, detecting a second portion of the touch gesture that includes movement of the touch gesture; and in response to detecting the movement of the touch gesture: visually distinguishing one or more additional characters of the plurality of sets of characters; and moving, based on one or more characteristics of the movement, the second indicator to an end of the one or more additional characters. at an electronic device with a touch-sensitive display device displaying, via the touch-sensitive display device, content including a plurality of sets of characters; while displaying the plurality of sets of characters, detecting a touch gesture at a first location corresponding to a set of characters of the plurality of sets of characters, wherein an initial portion of the touch gesture includes maintaining a stationary contact at the first location for more than a predetermined time; in response to detecting the initial portion of the touch gesture: displaying an animation of a selection representation around the set of characters that starts at a first size and finishes at a second size, smaller than the first size, to visually distinguish the set of characters, wherein the first size is larger than an area determined to be the initial portion of the touch gesture; and displaying a first indicator at a first end of the set of characters and a second indicator at a second end of the set of characters; while detecting that the touch gesture is maintained on the touch-sensitive display device, detecting a second portion of the touch gesture that includes movement of the touch gesture; and in response to detecting the movement of the touch gesture: visually distinguishing one or more additional characters of the plurality of sets of characters; and moving, based on one or more characteristics of the movement, the second indicator to an end of the one or more additional characters. displaying an animation of a selection representation around the set of characters that starts at a first size and finishes at a second size, smaller than the first size, to visually distinguish the set of characters, wherein the first size is larger than an area determined to be the initial portion of the touch gesture; and displaying a first indicator at a first end of the set of characters and a second indicator at a second end of the set of characters; while detecting that the touch gesture is maintained on the touch-sensitive display device, detecting a second portion of the touch gesture that includes movement of the touch gesture; and in response to detecting the movement of the touch gesture: visually distinguishing one or more additional characters of the plurality of sets of characters; and moving, based on one or more characteristics of the movement, the second indicator to an end of the one or more additional characters.