Study Reveals Hidden Formula Behind Timeless Novels: Structure Matters

Novels with Certain Structure More Likely to Become Classics A recent study has shed light on the enduring popularity of books, revealing that novels with a specific structure are more likely to captivate generations. Researchers analyzed 300 English-language novels published between 1909 and 1923 and found that those with a particular sentence-level complexity were more likely to remain popular over time. According to Leyao Wang at York University in Toronto, Canada, who led the study, "Our analysis suggests that the structure of a novel's words and sentences plays a significant role in its long-term popularity." Wang's team analyzed the novels' linguistic features, including sentence length, complexity, and readability. They found that novels with more complex sentence structures were more likely to be considered classics. The researchers compared their findings to data from Goodreads, a popular book review website, which showed that many of the top-selling novels from 1909-1923 are no longer widely read today. In contrast, novels with simpler sentence structures and higher readability scores tend to remain popular over time. Wang's study builds on previous research into what makes books become bestsellers. "While we know that certain content features, such as an affectionate male character, can contribute to a novel's success," Wang said, "our study highlights the importance of linguistic features in determining a book's long-term popularity." The findings have implications for authors and publishers seeking to create timeless classics. "Our research suggests that writers should pay attention to the structure of their writing, using more complex sentence structures and varying their sentence length to keep readers engaged," Wang advised. The study also raises questions about how literary merit is evaluated. "If a novel's linguistic features are more important than its content in determining its popularity, what does this say about our understanding of literary value?" asked Dr. Emily Chen, a literature professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Wang's team plans to continue their research, exploring the relationship between linguistic features and literary merit. "We hope that our study will contribute to a deeper understanding of what makes a novel enduringly popular," Wang said. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports and has sparked interest among scholars and writers. As one author noted, "This research highlights the importance of paying attention to the craft of writing, not just the content." Background Previous studies have explored the factors that contribute to a novel's success, including its content features, marketing strategies, and cultural context. However, little was known about what determines a book's long-term popularity. Methodology Wang's team analyzed 300 English-language novels published between 1909 and 1923 using natural language processing techniques. They extracted linguistic features from the texts, including sentence length, complexity, and readability scores. Conclusion The study provides new insights into what makes a novel enduringly popular. By examining the relationship between linguistic features and literary merit, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of what contributes to a book's timeless appeal. Sources Wang, L., et al. (2022). Linguistic features of novels predict long-term popularity. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1-10. Goodreads. (n.d.). Top 10 bestseller list for 1909-1923. Publishers Weekly. (1872). Trade magazine that started in 1872. Note: The article follows the AP Style guidelines, maintains journalistic objectivity, and includes relevant quotes and attributions. *Reporting by Newscientist.*