EVOLUTION OF DIARIES INTO BLOGS: A NOVEL FORM OF AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE

Abstract [English]

The relentless pursuit of humans in documenting personal experiences to conceptualise self-identity or to preserve canonical events as collective memory through individual lenses has been acknowledged throughout history. In this endeavour, diaries have played a pivotal role as a medium of expression and aided in this journey of introspection as a rational species. To discuss diaries in the world of literature and brush off The Diary of Samuel Pepys and Anne Frank's memoir would be blasphemous. Not only have these two literary works helped in popularising the genre but also stands testament to the perennial strength of autobiographical writings. Over time, these historical autobiographical writings and memoirs have charted the course for what we now call blogs in the internet age. The internet in the digital era has transformed how we think, write and publish. It has provided new forms of expression in the form of blogs, and extended the reach and effect of personal accounts. This paper discusses the definition of blogs and how it uses narrative and content analysis of blog sites as prime methodology. It studies the impact blogs create in preserving narratives of the world. The paper also highlights the different types of blogs and how they decentralise the meta-narratives in existence today, foregrounding controversial talks on the aspect of information gate-keeping. Blogs have revolutionised literature by democratising and becoming a socially responsive and accountable medium of expression. Through blogging, the boundaries of literature have expanded, welcoming the plurality of voices contributing to the discourse in real time.