Individual constancies in written language expression
This thesis investigates whether there are individual constancies in writing style, that is, whether there are any features in an individual's writing which remain the same over a large number of samples of their texts. This question is examined first by an analysis of the Cumulative Sum technique; a method which has recently been developed for purposes of authorship identification, and claims to be able to distinguish with 100% accuracy, whether a piece of text has been written by one, or more than one individual. This claim is explored thoroughly, as well as other related claims which concern the techniques' application to different genres. The analysis of this specific method, is followed by a systematic analysis of some surface variables in the text, those measured by a stylechecker. The relationships existing among these stylecheck variables are examined. In addition, the relationship between the stylecheck variables and personality is examined using Cattell's 16 P.F. Finally, the relationships between some more subjective or idiosyncratic features of the text are investigated for any individual differences or constancies. The results showed that there was no scientific basis to the claims behind the
Aked, Joy Prentice
Forensic linguistics
Individual constancies in written language expression. This thesis investigates whether there are individual constancies in writing style, that is, whether there are any features in an individual's writing which remain the same over a large number of samples of their texts. This question is examined first by an analysis of the Cumulative Sum technique; a method which has recently been developed for purposes of authorship identification, and claims to be able to distinguish with 100% accuracy, whether a piece of text has been written by one, or more than one individual. This claim is explored thoroughly, as well as other related claims which concern the techniques' application to different genres. The analysis of this specific method, is followed by a systematic analysis of some surface variables in the text, those measured by a stylechecker. The relationships existing among these stylecheck variables are examined. In addition, the relationship between the stylecheck variables and personality is examined using Cattell's 16 P.F. Finally, the relationships between some more subjective or idiosyncratic features of the text are investigated for any individual differences or constancies. The results showed that there was no scientific basis to the claims behind the
individual write_language expression investigates_whether individual constancy write_style whether feature individual write remain large_number sample texts question examine first analysis cumulative sum technique method recently developed authorship identification claims able distinguish accuracy whether piece text write individual claim explore thoroughly well relate claim concern technique application different_genre analysis specific method follow systematic_analysis surface variable text measure relationship_exist among variable examine addition relationship variable personality examine use finally relationships subjective idiosyncratic feature text investigate individual_difference constancy show scientific basis_claim behind