New genres of literature

Hypertext poetry and hypertext fiction are new genres of literature that use the computer screen as medium, rather than the printed page. The literary works rely on the qualities unique to a digital environment, such as linked World Wide Web pages or effects such as sound and movement.

Hypertext "poetry" can consist of words, although not necessarily organized into lines and stanzas, as well as, sounds, visual images, movement or other special effects. Although the poem may dazzling with sounds, perhaps of a lawnmower, while the words "mowing," "stop," "Sunday," and "morning" float across your computer screen in pseudo-three dimensional letters, one will have be hard pressed to identify the use of any formal poetics.

There are an infinite number of new and unusual effects that can be superimposed on text to create a hypertext poem, but below are some examples of types of "clickable" poems.

Definition:

Each word, phrase or line is linked to another page that defines or expands on the idea represented by the text of the poem.
Example: http://www.geocities.com/sarezale/frame2k.html

Movement:

The text of the poem moves as if it is hinged on a wheel while piano music plays in the background.
Example: http://home.ptd.net/~clkpoet/ohanf/oh.html

Make Your Own:The text of the line of poetry is determined by when the reader clicks the "stop" button on his or her browser. The flashing words stop to create a line.
Example: http://www.experimedia.vic.gov.au/~komninos/excorp.html

For more information and more examples of hypertext poetry:http://www.hphoward.demon.co.uk/poetry/hypelink.htm
http://wings.buffalo.edu/epc/