Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Pruitt_MA_Thesis (Final Version).pdf (760.91 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Consider the Big Picture: A Quantitative Analysis of Readability and the Novel Genre, 1800-1922

Pruitt, Marie
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3543-9008
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1658001078176506

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Arts, Miami University, English.
What can readability studies tell us about the novel genre? By tracing both the history of readability studies, a partially abandoned field located at the intersection of education and literacy studies, and the history of the English language novel, this project makes a case for the validity of conversations around readability within literary circles. One of the primary outcomes of readability studies is a number of formulas that measure various elements of a text, such as vocabulary and sentence structure. However, few formulas were created with fiction, or more specifically, the novel genre, in mind. To determine the possible applications of classic readability formulas for the novel genre, this project uses a digital readability formula to measure the readability of a corpus of 127 English language novels from 1800 to 1922. However, the resulting data highlights the difficulty of measuring such a wide-ranging, unique literary genre. Finally, this project proposes a framework for using a statistical analysis of novels to identify potential lines of inquiry favorable to close reading. By approaching novels through a quantitative lens, this project highlights how considering the bigger picture can help us determine which specific elements may lead to a richer understanding of the text.
Collin Jennings (Committee Chair)
Tim Lockridge (Committee Member)
Mary Jean Corbett (Committee Member)
52 p.
American Literature; British and Irish Literature; Literacy; Literature
readability; novels; novel genre; nineteenth century novels; quantitative analysis; digital humanities; readability formulas; statistical analysis; corpus; literature

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pruitt, M. (2022). Consider the Big Picture: A Quantitative Analysis of Readability and the Novel Genre, 1800-1922 [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1658001078176506

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pruitt, Marie. Consider the Big Picture: A Quantitative Analysis of Readability and the Novel Genre, 1800-1922. 2022. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1658001078176506.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pruitt, Marie. "Consider the Big Picture: A Quantitative Analysis of Readability and the Novel Genre, 1800-1922." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1658001078176506

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1658001078176506
469
© 2022, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.