Interpretation & Scoring
The scoring formulas and interpretation framework that combine SSI and LPI measurements into a single Sermonic-Preachy Score (SPS) on a 0-5 scale. The SPS provides a unified assessment of how preachy a text is, with five interpretation bands that describe the qualitative character of each score range.
8 terms across 2 subcategories
Score Components
The three computed scores that make up the SPI framework — how each is calculated and what it measures independently.
SSI = average(8 feature scores) → structural preachiness measure (0-5 scale)
The Structural Sermonic Index score — computed as the simple average of all eight SSI feature scores (imperative density, second person address, absolute claims, moral framing, rhetorical questions, emotional escalation, binary framing, and call to action). Each feature is scored 0-5, and the SSI averages them into a single 0-5 measure of structural preachiness. The SSI captures how the text is organized: its use of commands, direct address, absolutism, moral framing, rhetorical questions, escalation, binary thinking, and exhortation. A high SSI means the text is structurally built like a sermon, regardless of its specific vocabulary.
LPI = (sum of weighted_scores / 42.5) x 5 → lexical preachiness measure (0-5 scale)
The Lexical Preachy Index score — computed as a weighted average of all eight LPI category scores using their weight multipliers (HIGH categories at 1.5x, MEDIUM at 1.0x, LOW at 0.5x). The formula is: LPI = (sum of all weighted scores / 42.5) x 5, where 42.5 is the maximum possible weighted sum. The LPI captures the word-level texture of preachiness: the density of moral imperatives, certainty markers, shame triggers, virtue vocabulary, grandiose language, inclusive coercion, hedging absence, and repetitive emphasis. A high LPI means the text's vocabulary is characteristic of sermonic writing.
SPS = (SSI x 0.5) + (LPI x 0.5) → combined sermonic measure (0-5 scale)
The Sermonic-Preachy Score — the final composite measure that combines SSI and LPI in equal proportion. The formula is: SPS = (SSI x 0.5) + (LPI x 0.5). The SPS gives equal weight to structural preachiness (how the text is organized) and lexical preachiness (what words the text uses), producing a balanced 0-5 score that is then mapped to one of five interpretation bands. The SPS is designed to be holistic: a text can score high by being structurally sermonic with moderate vocabulary, lexically sermonic with moderate structure, or both.
Interpretation Bands
The five qualitative bands that interpret the SPS score — describing what each score range feels like to a reader and what patterns characterize each level of preachiness.
SPS 0.0-1.0 → no sermonic patterns, natural prose
SPS 0.0-1.0. The text reads naturally with no sermonic patterns — normal human writing that informs, describes, narrates, or discusses without prescribing, moralizing, or exhorting. At this level, imperatives are rare and functional ('click here,' 'see below'), second person address is neutral or absent, claims are hedged appropriately, and the tone is conversational or informational. The Conversational/Neutral band represents the baseline of non-sermonic prose: journalism, academic writing, casual conversation, technical documentation, and narrative fiction all typically fall here.
SPS 1.1-2.0 → light prescriptive tone, some advisory language
SPS 1.1-2.0. Light prescriptive tone with some 'should' language but not preachy — the text offers guidance, recommendations, or opinions with mild moral undertones. At this level, the reader notices occasional prescriptive constructions but doesn't feel lectured to. Editorial writing, self-help content, and well-meaning advice columns typically fall in this band. The Mildly Advisory band represents the transition zone between neutral prose and genuine preachiness: the text has a point of view and isn't shy about it, but it still respects the reader's autonomy.
SPS 2.1-3.0 → clear sermonic patterns, reader feels lectured to
SPS 2.1-3.0. Clear sermonic patterns that the reader can feel — the text is no longer merely advisory but has crossed into territory where the reader may feel lectured to, moralized at, or pressured. At this level, multiple SSI features score 3+ and several LPI categories show elevated density. The reader notices repeated moral framing, direct address with moral weight, and claims presented without adequate hedging. Op-eds with strong moral conviction, passionate advocacy writing, and motivational speeches often fall in this band.
SPS 3.1-4.0 → heavy preaching, sustained moral urgency
SPS 3.1-4.0. Heavy preaching with strong moral framing, frequent commands, and sustained urgency — the text is unmistakably sermonic. At this level, most SSI features score 3-5 and the LPI shows heavy concentration of moral imperatives, certainty markers, and shame triggers. The reader feels actively preached at: the text demands agreement, prescribes behavior, frames disagreement as moral failure, and builds emotional escalation toward a climax. Political speeches, religious sermons, and passionate manifestos often fall in this band.
SPS 4.1-5.0 → full sermon, maximum sermonic saturation
SPS 4.1-5.0. The text reads as a full sermon — overwhelming prescriptive and moralizing language with maximum sermonic intensity. At this level, virtually every sentence contains sermonic markers: imperatives in nearly every line, relentless second person address, unhedged absolute claims, heavy moral framing, rhetorical questions as primary structure, dramatic emotional escalation, rigid binary framing, and urgent calls to action. The reader is not invited to think but commanded to believe. This band represents the extreme end of the scale — fire-and-brimstone preaching, revolutionary manifestos at peak intensity, and apocalyptic moral exhortation.