In the article, Meyer defends news writing of literary standard. He points out in early America essayists were sometimes values above hard news. Addison states an idea that we often discuss in class and something that is still relevant, the notion of objectivity. He classified himself as a spectator of mankind. The article points out the literary nature of papers in America as early as 1690 with writers such as Benjamin Franklin and Defoe.
Meyer states that revolutionary pamphlets and papers from authors such as Paine, Hamilton, Jay and Madison has literary value and were often eloquently written. Post revolutionary paper in circulation such as the Minerva modeled themselves on truth and openness.
Meyer reflects on Bryant who in 1826 mirrors Wolfe’s “personal journalism” style. In the nineteen century Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman began writing for papers in New York which became journalism central. Whitman’s writing were accessible to the rich and poor alike.
As the West began to develop writers such as Twain continues the literary trend. Papers in the south such as the Atlanta Constitution emphasized an educated paper with writers such as Harris who pursued his own literary aspirations.
Back in New York in the late 1800’s writers such as Crane and Norris wrote of politics and happenings with “attention and detail.”
Literary journalists were continuing to be praised throughout the twentieth century. Writers such as Steinbeck continued the tradition they had been since early America.
Meyer’s point in the article is to show that literary journalism is something that is inherent in American history and has always been praised, something even above hard news. Many famous names wrote literary journalism and it has made American’s more educated and adept in literature throughout the centuries.
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