esemises

Esemises is a term used in this article to describe a media practice that converts longer written texts into concise, shareable visual formats. An esemesis artifact typically preserves central arguments, data points, or narratives from an essay or report while replacing most prose with typography, imagery, and brief captions. The practice sits at the intersection of visual rhetoric, summarization, and memetic culture; it is not limited to humor and can be used for educational, journalistic, or activist purposes.

Origin and usage of the term are not anchored to a single source. In online discourse, the concept has been discussed as a way to increase accessibility and rapid comprehension of complex texts. Some commentators suggest the word blends elements of “essay” and “mimesis,” implying imitation of a written work through visual means. There is no formal scholarly consensus on a precise definition or taxonomy, and the term remains informal in most discussions.

Forms and aims of esemises vary. Common formats include quote cards, infographic-style slides, and short video remark cards. A primary goal is to distill the essence of a longer work while guiding viewers to the original source for full context. Proponents argue that esemises support learning, citation literacy, and broad engagement; critics warn that simplification can distort nuance or omit nuance-specific caveats.

Relation to other concepts. Esemises overlaps with infographics, visual essays, and meme culture, yet it emphasizes proximity to the original text’s ideas rather than pure humor or virality. See also infographics, visual rhetoric, essays, and summarization.