Outdented

Outdented refers to a typographical or formatting concept where an element is pushed outward from the left margin, extending beyond the normal indentation of the surrounding text. This is the opposite of an indented element, which is moved inward from the margin. Outdenting is often used to draw attention to specific lines of text or to create visual hierarchy within a document.

Common applications of outdenting include quotation marks for block quotes, where the quoted text is set apart by being outdented from the main body. It can also be used for lists, particularly when the list item marker (like a bullet point or number) is positioned to the left of the main text block. In some contexts, outdenting can be employed for pull quotes, highlighting key phrases or sentences from a longer piece of content.

The precise visual appearance of outdenting can vary depending on the software or medium being used. In digital environments, it is typically achieved through CSS styling, where properties like `margin-left` and `padding-left` can be manipulated. In print, it might involve manual adjustments during the typesetting process. The goal is to create a clear visual distinction between the outdented element and the surrounding content, guiding the reader's eye and improving readability.