In fact, the Puritans in general had a theory of literary style.
They believed in a plain style of writing -- one in which clear statement
is the highest goal.
An ornate or clever style would be a sign of vanity and, as such,
would not be accordance with God's will.
Despite the restrictions built into their life and literature,
the Puritans succeeded in producing a small body of excellent writing.
Southern Voices
Considering the number of brilliantly literate statesmen who would later emerge
in the South, especially in Virginia, it seems surprising that only a few notable
southern writers appeared prior to 1750.
As in Puritan New England, those who were educated produced a substantial
amount of writing, but it was mostly of a practical nature.
For example, John Smith, the leader of the settlement at Jamestown, Virginia,
wrote The General History of Virginia to describe his experiences for Europeans.
In addition to accounts like Smith's, letters written by southern planters also
provide insight into the time period.
Unlike the Puritans, southerners did not oppose fiction or drama,
and the first theater in America opened in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1716.