This essay is adapted from Rick Meyer’s notes for a talk at the 2005 Nieman Narrative Editors’ Seminar. Rick’s presentation was paired with Laurie Hertzel’s talk on scenes. We probably ought to declare something right away, so no one … Read more
Benham strikes the right tone in this piece—friendly and a touch ironic. The piece is punctuated by creative passages and playful quips. But there’s substance here, too: The playfulness is supported by the concrete details of her reporting. We like, … Read more
This is a wonderfully consistent profile, with thorough and effective characterization. Lewin provides telling details that stick to a theme, and yet the portrayal is not simplistic. Her material is particular and intimate. We liked, for example, the protagonist Della … Read more
Like another series by Nutt on this site, “The Seekers,” this piece is not truly narrative. But it shows how a companionable voice and a sense of destination, applied to a huge, abstract topic, can make us readers feel we’re … Read more
In this fourth installment in the Times’ series on class, Lewin provides lots of quotes, and not much dialogue or scene—and yet the intimate reporting, the insightful and probing look at this cross-class marriage, gives the piece the feel of … Read more
We particularly like the first several sections of this piece. Earls provides an effective sequential experience for her readers: first a cliffhanger beginning, then an efficient summary of the topic, then an authoritative composite of her main character, Katherine. We … Read more
This is as much a story about suicide and those affected by it as it is a story about the particular life and death of a passionate, brilliant writer. By carefully telling the tale of Chang’s life and her suicide, … Read more
By spending a day with Army recruiters, Moehringer shows us much about the hurdles the Army faces in keeping up with the war in Iraq. At the same time, Moehringer’s engaging, effective portrayals of character make for an entertaining read. Read more
We like to see a profile of an inspiring character that’s also fun and engaging rather than sentimental. We like the casual, affectionate tone of this piece, with its lively scenes, telling detail and pertinent theme. Read “Mint … Read more
McKay’s march of harsh details form a bleak and informative picture. She writes in a frank, detached tone, with strong verbs and tight sentences. She shows that intimate reporting can reveal economic and social trends. Her ending, in which she … Read more
