The use of cumulative sum graphs in literary scalometry
G. Barr · Literary and Linguistic Computing · 1997
Arising from the observation of scale differences within the Pauline corpus, this study presents the development of cumulative sum techniques to provide a comparative method by which the structure of works of literature may be compared in several ways. This requires a rigorous consistency in relating scales. By this method, ranges of features may be mapped showing areas of overlap and areas of discrimination between authors. Pairs of works or whole corpora may be compared. The scale element appears in the distribution of sentence lengths, in sentence sequences, and in ways in which sentences are expanded. 'Prime patterns' are identified which may be characteristic of an author. To overcome problems involved in comparing works of substantially different length, SuperQsums are devised to eliminate 'noise' from graphical traces, revealing the sub-structure. These scalometric techniques reveal correspondences between works which were previously unidentified, and provide evidence which may be useful in determining authorship.