This book documents a major change in journalistic practice in the United States. It is a change that has been largely unnoticed outside the profession and not understood by thousands inside.

This book explores and describes the process of interpretive journalism, and tells how it is done. Starting with the inception and shaping of the idea for the story, the book takes the reader through the research process, the evaluation of the evidence, the origination and presentation of material, and a discussion of leads, endings, and the body of the story. Then it discusses different kinds of writing - dramatic, descriptive, explanatory, emotional, and profiles.