contemporary writing

Literature of today

Contemporary writing is literature or other written work produced in the present era or recent past.

The term typically covers work from the last few decades, though the boundary shifts with time.

In academic contexts, contemporary writing often contrasts with canonical or historical texts: The syllabus balances Shakespeare with contemporary writing.

The phrase can also describe a modern prose style—direct, accessible, conversational—as opposed to older literary conventions.

Opposites
temporal period

contemporary writingclassical literature

Foundational Western texts

ancient texts · ancient writing · medieval literature · Renaissance literature · Victorian literature

canonical status

contemporary writingthe classics

Foundational works of literature

canonical works · classic works · traditional literature · literary canon · classic authors

stylistic convention

contemporary writingtraditional literature

Enduring written heritage

formal writing · classical forms

Family

contemporary, writing, contemporaries, contemporaneously, contemporaneous, writes, written, writer, writers

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