The Intersection of Poetry, Literature, and New Media: An Analysis

The online world has changed the way we read and consume literature, as well as the platforms through which authors share their work with a wider audience. I have chosen to research and analyze the intersection of literature and new media, particularly the impacts of new media on the literary form of poetry. I would be interested as to whether the rise and proliferation of new media has led to an corresponding increase or decrease in poetry readership. I am also interested to learn whether or not an increasing number of people are encouraged to become poets due to the popularity of 'Instapoets' such as Rupi Kaur, and others like her who have been able to use Instagram to create a platform and gather an audience for their work. In going about this research, I will explore Instagram itself as a primary source and as a starting point; then I will conduct the appropriate academic research utilizing what I have learned from the posts and profiles of various Instapoets, as well as their interaction with their community of readers. I will also research alternative platforms other than Instagram through which poets and writers share their work with their audience in order to gain a comprehensive understanding on how new media has changed the way we read, write, consume, and share poetry.