Sound and the Reading Experience: Examining the Effects of Sound on Reading a Digital Graphic Narrative

Abstract

This case study investigates the effects of corresponding sounds on reading comprehension, specifically in an online graphic narrative
titled The Boat, which details the journey of a young Vietnamese girl immigrating alone to Australia after the fall of Saigon. Throughout
the narrative, sound is used to match the story’s narrative. Through a small usability study of The Boat, I investigate sound as a medium and influence on storytelling. The results of the study, though limited by sample size, introduce interesting insights into various confounding factors related to sound that negatively and positively affect the reading experience. This essay reviews my research, its methods and findings, and offers discussion for future considerations of sound and reading.