Supporting Literary Criticism with Data Visualization: Four Design Guidelines for Facilitating Interdisciplinary Collaborations

Abstract

The application of data visualization in the context of literary criticism opened promising research directions but may raise frictions due to different traditions and approaches into play. Visualizations are commonly designed to promote a “view from nowhere” and appear objective, transparent, and factual. Literary criticism, instead, valorizes individual viewpoints and interpretations. The article presents an inquiry based on Action Research, Participant Observation, and Structured Interviews to explore divergencies between core methodologies of literary criticism (i.e., close reading and interpretation) and data visualization. It proposes four guidelines to orient design work conducted in this interdisciplinary area: embed situatedness, negotiate elusive concepts, use overview as a companion, support thinking with visual manipulation.