How did the Arabic press change the style of modern Arabic writing?

The emergence of the Arabic press during the 19th-century Arabic literary renaissance was a pivotal factor in transforming modern Arabic writing. By making writing a viable and realistic livelihood, the press incentivized authors to move away from the traditional, highly ornate, and mannered styles that had dominated previous centuries.1

Instead, writers adopted a simpler, more direct style designed to appeal to a broader reading public. This shift was supported by the modernization of education, which cultivated a new audience receptive to these accessible forms and contemporary ideas. Furthermore, the press provided essential publication opportunities for new literary genres, such as the short story, the essay, and the novel, which were often influenced by Western models introduced through translation. This transition marked a significant departure from the complex rhetorical artistry and rhymed prose that had long characterized the intellectual elite's literary output.1234