Literatura Contemporánea Inglesa II

Trabajo Práctico Nº 6: Electronic Literature

Nombre: Mariana Planas

DNI: 28.228.277

Fecha: 01/11/2020

Calificación: 9 (nine)

Consignas:
 After reading all the material on electronic literature, answer the following
questions.

1. What would be a proper definition of the term “electronic literature”? (2,5

points)

After reading the material, we can say “electronic literature” is a term that
has to do with the evolution of digital computers. It is created in a digital
format that takes advantage of electronic media. It is also “digital born”,
which means readers will not find it printed. Electronic Literature is
written on a computer and should be read from it. It may contain videos,
audios, and animations. “Electronic literature, generally considered to
exclude print literature that has been digitalized, is by contrast digital
born, a first generation digital object created on a computer and (usually)
means to be read on a computer.” (Hayles,2008, p.3)

2. What is the main difference between Print and Digital Textuality as

explained by Leonardo Flores? (2,5 points)

Leonardo Flores argues that one of the main differences between digital and
print literature is that the former can be “domesticated” whereas the latter is
static. When you look at a printed text you can see different vocabulary and
syntax. You can describe what it looks like (the font, the formatting), how it
sounds. However, digital texts have a different behavior. Unlike printed
literature, you can add all sorts of multimedia like images, sounds,
animations which makes everything come together to create this type of
work. Flores also talks about “codes” and he says that they are the
“instructions” every writer give to his or her writing if they want it to move,
appear, or disappear on the screen. By contrast, when texts are printed
“what you see is what you get” and people just read. There are no secrets or
animations in them. A writer cannot play with this kind of writing.

3. Which are the genres of electronic literature presented by N. Katherine

Hayles in her essay? (2,5 points)

N. Katherine Hayles presents several genres of electronic literature. One of

them is “hipertext fiction”. This genre is characterized by an interlink of
fiction and nonfiction stories. The other genre she mentions is “interactive
fiction or interactive drama” which are stories told in real-time storytelling
format and, since readers can collaborate and chose the sound and
graphics they like, is compared to a computer game. “Locative Narratives” is
also mentioned in the author´s essay. This genre has to do with a particular
location of the story that readers can see through GPS technology, for
example in the GPS user´s mobile device. They are allowed to read and
listen to the story. The last genre is “generative text” which is a category of
generative art that uses algorithm to produce and reorganize texts that
already exist.

4. Choose one piece of electronic literature from the Electronic Literature

Collection Volume II website (see link below) and analyse the piece.
Consider its genre, characteristics and what that work can do that could
not have been done in print. (2,5 points)
https://collection.eliterature.org/2/

The piece I have chosen is “Public Secrets” by Sharon Daniel. It belongs

to the genre of interactive fiction since it contains the testimony of
women incarcelated in California State Prison. The stories are told in real
time from the prison. It has buttons with different indications that allows
readers to follow the thread of the different testimonies and interact with
the story.
Here I left a picture of the format of the piece chosen.