So what is literary journalism?

That's a good question. I initially signed up for this class because I liked the sound of it. Journalism and literature; it sounded classy, and it sounded like something I'd like to write.

But I didn't really know what it was, and I was surprised to find out that Truman Capote's In Cold Blood was an example of literary journalism, as well as the ramblings of Hunter S. Thompson. In my mind, literary journalism was something like the Pride and Prejudice of journalism. But it turns out, literary journalism can take on any style, from a well-structured, well-spoken tone, to Hunter Thompson. It's the techniques that writers use which make it a literary piece.

As I see it, literary journalism is a journalistic text that reads like a novel. However, it's content is accurate and truthful, and the author still approaches the topic in the way a journalist would. The main difference is how the piece is actually written, and techniques the author uses, such as linking events to memories, reflection, history and other people's stories.


At first, I thought it seemed like magazine writing, only about three times longer. However, literary journalism is much more like a personal essay, or a memoir, and typically involves far more research.
After some readings we've had in class, I find that I get far more involved in literary pieces, much more so than feature articles. We've read some great pieces in class that I'll go into in more depth about later on, but  already I get the sense that far more thought is put into these pieces.

This is going to be a learning experience for me in literary writing, leading up to my final assignment of a 4000 - 5000 word literary article. I hope you'll enjoy reading as I learn more throughout the semester.