Articles

We asked Swidey to tell us about his work on this story. Here’s what he e-mailed us:“I knew what I didn’t want to write: the birth-to-current-day profile of Mitt Romney,…

This series shows how narrative can illuminate complex processes—in this case the machinations of policymaking. It’s a clear, entertaining account of Republican mavericks trying to pass a bill popular among…

[Note: The following is an edited transcript from a talk at the 2001 Nieman Conference on Narrative Journalism. It first appeared in the Spring 2002 issue of Nieman Reports.]The ending…

Kimber’s story about Tom Martin, a devoted detective, has a strong sense of direction—even though his piece is based on interview. We thought this piece a good example of writing…

Born to an unwed mother, Frank Beazley was given up to an orphanage as a newborn. His difficult life rolled out from there. We appreciated the historical detail the series…

We have to admit that the topic of this story, its high drama, made us a bit wary. Still, the series is well worth reading because it is an engrossing…

This piece is a good example of how to write about emotional topics without mawkishness or sentimentality. A woman has lost her husband; she must now face the challenges of…

By clicking the link below, you’ll find four selections from Shaw’s intermittent series about the transformation of a Minnesota farm into a high-end subdivision. Shaw follows the project from the…

This is a effective example of how narrative can flesh out, give dignity to, people who feel they are, as a central character says in this story, “just a number…

This is a lyrical short memoir that manages to be touching without being overly sentimental. We found the mix of direct scene and reflection effective.We offer one suggestion. Imagine what…