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  • © 2019

Quantitative Intertextuality

Analyzing the Markers of Information Reuse

  • Introduces quantitative intertextuality, a new approach to the algorithmic study of information reuse in text, sound and images
  • Explains quantitative methods for a large number of practical problems, e.g., detecting allusions to a popular television show in tweets, quantifying sound reuse in Romantic poetry, or identifying influences in fan faction
  • Includes a companion website with software, source data for all examples, and supplementary material

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvii
  2. The Theory

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. What is Quantitative Intertextuality?

      • Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer
      Pages 3-21
    3. Statistical Learning as a Model for Intertextuality

      • Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer
      Pages 23-52
  3. The Practice

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 53-53
    2. Lexical Matching: Text Reuse as Intertextuality

      • Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer
      Pages 55-78
    3. Semantic Matching: Tracing Reuse by Meaning

      • Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer
      Pages 79-104
    4. Sound Matching: Capturing Reuse in the Primitive Elements of Language

      • Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer
      Pages 105-131
    5. Image Matching: Detecting the Reuse of Visual Elements

      • Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer
      Pages 133-153
    6. Meta-Matching: Combining Evidence From Heterogeneous Sources

      • Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer
      Pages 155-179
    7. Parting Thoughts

      • Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer
      Pages 181-189

About this book

This book introduces quantitative intertextuality, a new approach to the algorithmic study of information reuse in text, sound and images. Employing a variety of tools from machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, readers will learn to trace patterns of reuse across diverse sources for scholarly work and practical applications.


The respective chapters share highly novel methodological insights in order to guide the reader through the basics of intertextuality. In Part 1, “Theory”, the theoretical aspects of intertextuality are introduced, leading to a discussion of how they can be embodied by quantitative methods. In Part 2, “Practice”, specific quantitative methods are described to establish a set of automated procedures for the practice of quantitative intertextuality. Each chapter in Part 2 begins with a general introduction to a major concept (e.g., lexical matching, sound matching, semantic matching), followed by a casestudy (e.g., detecting allusions to a popular television show in tweets, quantifying sound reuse in Romantic poetry, identifying influences in fan faction by thematic matching), and finally the development of an algorithm that can be used to reveal parallels in the relevant contexts.


Because this book is intended as a “gentle” introduction, the emphasis is often on simple yet effective algorithms for a given matching task. A set of exercises is included at the end of each chapter, giving readers the chance to explore more cutting-edge solutions and novel aspects to the material at hand. Additionally, the book’s companion website includes software (R and C++ library code) and all of the source data for the examples in the book, as well as supplemental content (slides, high-resolution images, additional results) that may prove helpful for exploring the different facets of quantitative intertextuality that are presented in each chapter.


Given its interdisciplinary nature, the book will appeal to a broad audience. From practitioners specializing in forensics to students of cultural studies, readers with diverse backgrounds (e.g., in the social sciences, natural language processing, or computer vision) will find valuable insights.



Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, USA

    Christopher W. Forstall, Walter J. Scheirer

About the authors

Christopher W. Forstall is Assistant Professor of Classics at Mount Allison University, where he teaches both Digital Humanities and Classical Languages and Literature. His research interests and areas of publication include Classical Latin and Greek Epic poetry, intertextuality, and oral-formulaic theory, as well as computational stylometry and authorship attribution.


Walter J. Scheirer, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. He has extensive experience in the areas of artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning and the digital humanities. His overarching research interest is the fundamental problem of recognition, including the representations and algorithms supporting solutions to it.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access