A device and method and graphical user interface for positioning a selection and selecting text on a mobile computing device with a touch-sensitive display is described. This includes: displaying a selection having a selection start point and a selection end point within text content displaying a control icon; detecting a contact on the touch-sensitive display; and in response to detecting a change in a horizontal and vertical position of the contact beginning anywhere on the control icon: changing a selection position wherein a horizontal position of the selection start point is changed by an amount proportional to the change in a horizontal position of the contact and a vertical position of the selection start point is changed by an amount proportional to the change in a vertical position of the contact and wherein the horizontal position of the selection start point with respect to the control icon is changed and a vertical position of the control icon is changed.