An Analysis of the Proposition Density, Sentence and Clause Types, and Non-Finite Verbal Usage in Two College Textbooks
Charmaine DeFrancesco, Kyle Perkins · Florida International University Digital Commons (Florida International University) · 2013
Abstract: This study investigated the proposition density, sentence and clause type usage and non-finite verbal usage in two college textbooks. The teaching implications are presented. A proposition is an idea unit; it is a statement that expresses a factual claim (Jay, 2003); it is the basic unit involved in the understanding and retention of text (Kintsch, 1974; Kintsch & Keenan, 1973). “Propositions correspond roughly to verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and subordinating conjunctions (not nouns or pronouns) ” (Covington, 2008, p. 2). Proposition density is an important factor in reading comprehension because of a proposition’s role in text comprehension and retention. In addition, “sentences in print often have a complex, embedded syntax that places demands on the reader’s working memory ” (Graesser, McNamara, & Kulikowich, 2011, p. 226). The combination of text comprehension and retention, and demands on the reader’s working memory suggest that proposition density might be useful in the selection of college textbooks. The widely adopted readability formulas utilized in reading comprehension research do not estimate proposition density. Those readability formulas include