Proseessa

Proseessa is a neologistic term used in some online literary circles to describe a hybrid form that blends elements of prose and the essay. In its common usage, a proseessa is a short, self-contained prose piece that centers on a single idea, observation, or insight and develops it through reflective narration rather than argument or plot.

Characteristics include concision, a singular motif, and a subjective voice. Language tends to be precise and slightly lyrical, with attention to detail and mood. The structure resembles an essay—an opening premise, reflective development, and a concluding thought—yet it eschews formal argumentative devices and traditional paragraphing associated with longer essays. It often foregrounds personal experience or social observation.

Origins and etymology: The term appears to derive from “prose” with the -essa suffix, echoing terms like poetess, to imply a compact, feminine-associated form. Its exact origin is unclear and is likely to have arisen independently within online publishing communities in the 2010s and 2020s rather than from a single scholar or tradition.

Usage and reception: Proseessa has not become a standard category in mainstream literary scholarship. It is principally encountered in blogs, digital magazines, and micro-essay platforms, where writers use the label to signal a blend of prose-like narrative with essay-like reflection. The form overlaps with prose poetry and flash nonfiction, and definitions vary by author.

See also: prose poem, essay, flash nonfiction, micro-essay.