Mapping Emotional Meaning in Instapoetry: A Plutchikian Semantic Analysis

Abstract

This study analyzes the semantic construction of emotional meanings in instapoetry throughvocabulary selection, utilizing Robert Plutchik's framework. Although instapoetry is often regarded assimplistic because of its conciseness, this study contends that it employs intricate emotive frameworksthrough meticulously chosen linguistic elements. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive methodology, thestudy examines lexical items and expressions in chosen instapoetry pieces, categorizing them accordingto Plutchik’s emotional model. The results indicate that emotional meanings are methodically structured,with anger constituting the predominant category (32.6%), succeeded by sadness (21.7%) and disgust(15.2%). In contrast, positive emotions like joy are scarcely represented, and surprise is entirely absent.These emotional patterns are created by linguistic tools such as repetition, negation, and contrast, whichhelp make affective meaning stronger and more organized. The study also demonstrates that emotionalcategories interact dynamically and provide a clear path from vulnerability to resistance andempowerment. This research enhances the synthesis of semantic analysis and emotion theory byillustrating that emotional significance in instapoetry is not only conveyed but also actively generatedthrough language. It emphasizes the analytical capacity of short-form digital poetry and offers aframework for investigating emotive meaning within current digital literary environments.