Topic 10: Code Complexity and Interpretive Density
Code complexity and interpretive density refer to the relationship between a text's lexico-syntactic complexity and its interpretive density. Thus, a syntactically simple text is not necessarily easy to interpret. For example, the simplicity of Hemingway's language in his novels and short stories belies the complexity of the interpretive task which readers must accomplish. Candlin therefore advocates that learners' understanding of textually elaborate texts may be promoted by straightforward questions while students' understanding of textually simpler texts may be furthered by questions which require learners to engage in in-depth textual analysis.