Konle, Leonard
Dissertation topic:
" Towards a Computational Representation of Plot Strutcures in Genre Literature: Conceptualisation, Evaluation and Pattern Detection:"
Contact address at the University of Würzburg:
Chair of Digital Humanities and Modern German Literature
and Modern German Literature
Campus Hubland Nord
Emil-Hilb-Weg 23
97074 Würzburg
First supervisor: Prof. Dr Fotis Jannidis
Second supervisors:
Prof. Dr Christof Schöch (Univ. Trier)
Class in the Graduate School: "Digital Humanities"
Doctorate in the Graduate School from WS 2024/25.
Abstract:
This thesis aims to craft a pragmatic definition of plot and explores its relationship to narratological research, forming the foundation for a computational model of plot structure. This model is systematically developed, focusing on the operationalisation of its sub-aspects, particularly their automatic detection through annotation as the basis for machine learning techniques. To maintain feasibility, the scope of operationalisation is confined to genre literature and their motif repertoires rather than attempting a universal application.
The model's application involves generating instances from novels and evaluating these instances both qualitatively, through the study of individual texts, and quantitatively, at the corpus level. Finally, the model is used to identify patterns in plot structures within specific genres, providing insights into the underlying formulaic structures that may characterise genre literature.
