How to Describe the Human Existence

The Beauty of Hybrid Genres

The existence of hybrid genres allows for a new approach to storytelling. Shawn Wen’s A Twenty Minute Silence Followed By Applause is technically non-fiction; however, this lyric essay employs techniques from forms in fiction using “scenes” and “chapters” written as poems. While still referencing credible sources, Wen is able to hone in on the emotional discoveries accompanying Marcel Marceu’s life experience. Joshua Young’s play in verse, The Holy Ghost People, is also a body of work exploring a life experience. He posits the life of the humans on Earth, or the SPEAKERS, with the also-human-yet-alien visitors, THE HOLY GHOST PEOPLE. Both bodies of work make observations of humanity and the details that add up to the sum of a life.