New Journalism

So often when we read the newspaper our eyes begin to get real heavy and we get closer and closer to a state of sleep. When a journalist puts all talent aside and squeeze as many facts into one little article as he or she can there is nothing to prevent this. Yet, there is a form of journalism which this same writer could have used that would have kept their reader on the edge of their subway seat while providing them with all the facts they need. What form of journalism is this you ask?

The answer, New Journalism. New Journalism is a form of reporting that keeps the reader hooked. Instead of just stating facts the writer employs many techniques to make their writing easier and more interesting to read. Although we refer to it as New Journalism, it is often said to be anything but new. During the 1960's and 70's this trend of reporting became big. Its origins though can be traced back a long ways, "what calls itself "new journalism", but which is really as old as sin itself"(The New York Society of Suppression and Vice 46) .

Two aspects of New Journalism include dialogue and point-of-view. Through the use of dialogue while reporting, a journalist is bringing in the emotions and thoughts of those who have first hand experience on what the paper is trying to report. New Journalism also employs point-of-view reporting. Through the use of point-of-view the reporter breaks the story to the public through the view point of a person who was there. This allows the reader to look at the story through the eyes of someone, making reading the article more like reading a book then a newspaper. Both of these aspects make New Journalism a very catchy technique.