Hyperlink Desirability in Adolescent Fiction: Location and Absorption

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Hyperlink Desirability in Adolescent Fiction: Location and Absorption
Language: English
Authors: Vanhees, Claudio, Simons, Mathea, Joosen, Vanessa
Source: Computer Assisted Language Learning. 2023 36(3):486-516.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 31
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Adolescent Literature, Fiction, Hypermedia, Electronic Publishing, Layout (Publications), Reader Response, Reader Text Relationship, Attention Span, Nonprint Media, Web Sites, Reading Ability, English Teachers, Adolescents
DOI: 10.1080/09588221.2021.1933052
ISSN: 0958-8221
1744-3210
Abstract: In the digital age, children's and adolescents' willingness to engage in absorbed reading for pleasure is on the decline. Digital narratives with a linear storyline enriched with hyperlinks to supporting media materials, could potentially facilitate narrative absorption even better than print, thus stimulating fictional reading among adolescents. This paper examines hyperlink placement desirability in five full-length novels, and investigates the link with narrative absorption. It was found that, independently of genre, the desired hyperlinks were most concentrated in the first quartile of the story, and gradually diminished towards quartile four. Furthermore, closer scrutiny of one case study showed that as reported narrative absorption levels increased, hyperlink desirability decreased. The results suggest that hyperlinks to different types of supporting media materials could be particularly useful to assist reading if situated in the first quartile of digital narrative. As the story plot reaches its climax, hyperlinks may become less required for experienced readers, whereas lower ability readers might still benefit from their support to sustain the reading experience.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: EJ1386219
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:In the digital age, children's and adolescents' willingness to engage in absorbed reading for pleasure is on the decline. Digital narratives with a linear storyline enriched with hyperlinks to supporting media materials, could potentially facilitate narrative absorption even better than print, thus stimulating fictional reading among adolescents. This paper examines hyperlink placement desirability in five full-length novels, and investigates the link with narrative absorption. It was found that, independently of genre, the desired hyperlinks were most concentrated in the first quartile of the story, and gradually diminished towards quartile four. Furthermore, closer scrutiny of one case study showed that as reported narrative absorption levels increased, hyperlink desirability decreased. The results suggest that hyperlinks to different types of supporting media materials could be particularly useful to assist reading if situated in the first quartile of digital narrative. As the story plot reaches its climax, hyperlinks may become less required for experienced readers, whereas lower ability readers might still benefit from their support to sustain the reading experience.
ISSN:0958-8221
1744-3210
DOI:10.1080/09588221.2021.1933052