Analyzing reader engagement with experimental poetry through eye-tracking technology

Thesis Abstract

The immersive and often unconventional nature of experimental poetry presents unique challenges and opportunities for understanding reader engagement, which remains underexplored in contemporary literary studies. This research addresses the gap by empirically investigating visual attention patterns and cognitive responses elicited by experimental poetic texts through eye-tracking technology, aiming to illuminate the mechanisms of reader engagement and interpretative processes. The study’s primary objective is to analyze how specific structural and stylistic features of experimental poetry influence eye movement metrics, such as fixation duration, saccades, and regressions, thus providing insights into the cognitive load and aesthetic appreciation experienced by readers. Secondary objectives include exploring variations in engagement across different reader demographics, including literature students, casual readers, and poetry experts, and identifying salient textual features that correlate with heightened visual attention. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study combines quantitative eye-tracking experiments with qualitative post-reading interviews. The population comprises 60 adult participants aged 18-45, stratified into three equal groups based on literary expertise students enrolled in literature courses, amateur poetry enthusiasts, and professional poets. A purposive sampling technique ensures balanced representation of these groups, with each participant completing a series of readings involving a curated selection of ten experimental poems characterized by fragmented syntax, non-traditional typography, and multimodal elements. Data collection utilizes a Tobii Pro Spectrum eye-tracker to record detailed eye movement data, alongside a structured questionnaire to gather demographic and perceptual responses. Quantitative data analysis involves descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, primarily repeated-measures ANOVA to assess differences in eye-movement patterns across poetry types and audience groups, and multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between textual features (e.g., line length, visual complexity) and engagement metrics. The study leverages the EyeLink 1000 Plus analysis software for precise fixation and saccade measurement, with the theoretical underpinning drawn from the Cognitive Load Theory and the Theory of Visual Attention, which elucidate the cognitive and perceptual processes underlying reading behavior. Qualitative data from participant interviews are subjected to thematic analysis to contextualize quantitative findings, providing a comprehensive understanding of engagement experiences. Expected findings include significant variations in fixation durations and saccade patterns when engaging with experimental poetry, with higher visual attention allocated to linguistically and visually complex segments. The study anticipates that readers with literary expertise will exhibit more efficient eye movement patterns, indicating deeper cognitive engagement and aesthetic appreciation. Additionally, particular textual features such as spatial arrangement and multimodal cues are hypothesized to correlate positively with engagement metrics. The research will demonstrate that experimental poetry elicits distinct visual and cognitive responses, differentiating it from conventional poetic forms. This study contributes to the knowledge base by empirically bridging literary theory, cognitive psychology, and visual attention research; it offers a nuanced understanding of how experimental poetic devices influence reader engagement at a physiological and perceptual level. The findings will inform poets and literary scholars regarding effective structural strategies to heighten reader involvement and interpretive depth. It also advances methodological approaches in literary studies by integrating eye-tracking technology, providing a replicable framework for future research on visual-literary interaction. In conclusion, the study recommends further cross-disciplinary investigations combining neurocognitive methods and qualitative insights to deepen comprehension of literary engagement across diverse textual genres and audience demographics.