The profile, one of the foundations of narrative journalism, is a portrait painted in words. A profile writer serves as the reader’s eyes and ears, enabling the reader to experience the subject as palpably as one can without a direct live encounter. In this course, we’ll learn the interviewing and writing aspects of the profile process: doing background research on a subject, honing interviewing techniques, coming up with secondary interview subjects, and trying on various styles, all in order to most vividly and precisely bring the person to life on the page. We’ll also explore well-known profiles such as Lillian Ross’s “Portrait of Hemingway” and Bob Greene’s “Muhammad Ali is the Most Famous Man in the World.”  

This course is roughly half seminar (i.e., reading and discussion) and half workshop (executing a few reporting/writing assignments and sharing them with the group). Nothing to submit in advance, as we’ll generate all new work during our time together. Inquisitive wordsmiths at all levels of writing experience are welcome. 

In this workshop, we will generate new writing through guided exercises and prompts; offer feedback/first impressions on writing you produce in our week.