Electronic literature refers to literary works created in a digital medium that take advantage of electronic media, rather than just being scanned or typed into a digital format. It can include digital animations, interactive media, and stories told via email or text messaging. The term is increasingly used only for “born-digital” works, rather than those transferred from print.
Electronic literature can, potentially, refer to two different things, depending on the particular meaning of the person referring to it. The more specific meaning is in reference to literature or written works of literary merit that are created in a digital medium that takes advantage of the format beyond the mere written word. These types of works are “born-digital” and not simple texts scanned or typed in digital format. E-literature can refer to works of literature that have been transformed into a digital format, although this usage is increasingly falling out of favor to avoid confusion.
The main identifier of electronic literature is that it is created in a digital format that takes advantage of electronic media. While someone can type a text document into a word processing program, it doesn’t necessarily constitute true electronic literature, it is simply a digital copy of the text. Proponents of electronic literature as a separate form of literary work argue that such literature should be created in a way that takes advantage of the differences between digital media and standard paper media. This can be done in many different ways.
Someone could write a poem, but instead of just writing it in a text document, they can create it as a digital animation. The poem could appear, word by word or line by line, using digital media format to create the poem for the reader even as they are reading it. In this way, the poem exists as electronic literature beyond the scope of what is possible with a printed text. Other forms of media that can use these benefits include written works created on Internet sites, interactive media that include a strong literary component, and stories told via email or short message service (SMS) or text messaging.
There are some people who may use the term “electronic literature” to refer to written works that have existed in print and are transferred to a digital medium. These works may be scanned or rewritten into an electronic format, usually to preserve the work or for use with electronic readers. Proponents of “born digital” media, such as the Electronic Literature Organization (ELO), tend to argue against this use on the grounds that such works are simply transferred to a digital medium and not created for it. Other terms, such as “electronic books” or “ebooks,” are often used to refer to these works, indicating that they are simply digital versions of printed books.
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