Jon Franklin Quotes
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Jon Franklin is an American journalist and author who won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work. He is best known for his book Writing for Story, which is considered a classic in the field of narrative nonfiction. Franklin’s other notable works include The Hot Zone, a nonfiction account of the Ebol…Read More
Jon Franklin is an American journalist and author who won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work. He is best known for his book Writing for Story, which is considered a classic in the field of narrative nonfiction. Franklin’s other notable works include The Hot Zone, a nonfiction account of the Ebola virus, and The Molecule of More, a book about the science of happiness. He has also written for The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and National Public Radio.Read Less
Jon Franklin is an American journalist and author who won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work. He is best known for his book Writing for Story, which is considered a classic in the field of narrative nonfiction. Franklin’s other notable works include The Hot Zone, a nonfiction account of the Ebola virus, and The Molecule of More, a book about the science of happiness. He has also written for The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, and National Public Radio.
Jon Franklin Career Highlights
- In 1979, Franklin won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for his article “Mrs. Kelly’s Monster,” which was published in The Baltimore Evening Sun. The article chronicled the story of a woman who underwent a radical brain surgery to cure her epilepsy.
- In 1985, Franklin joined The Philadelphia Inquirer as a special projects reporter. During his time there, he wrote several award-winning articles, including “The Mind Fixers,” which explored the history of psychosurgery and its impact on patients.
- In 1989, Franklin published his first book, “Molecules of the Mind,” which delved into the world of neuroscience and the potential of brain surgery to cure mental illness.
- In 1995, Franklin joined the faculty of the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, where he taught narrative nonfiction writing until his retirement in 2013.
- In 2005, Franklin published his second book, “Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction,” which has become a staple in the field of narrative nonfiction writing.
- In 2010, Franklin was inducted into the American Society of Magazine Editors’ Hall of Fame for his contributions to the field of journalism.
Key Contributions by Jon Franklin
- Franklin is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of narrative nonfiction, a genre that combines the techniques of fiction writing with the factual reporting of journalism.
- His writing style is characterized by vivid storytelling, in-depth research, and a deep understanding of complex subjects.
- Franklin’s work has inspired a generation of journalists and writers, and his books and articles are often used as teaching materials in journalism and creative writing courses.
- He has mentored and trained numerous Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, including Gene Weingarten and Lane DeGregory.
What Sets Jon Franklin Apart
- Franklin’s ability to humanize complex and often controversial topics sets him apart from other journalists. He has a unique talent for finding the human element in every story and bringing it to life through his writing.
- He is a master of the craft of narrative nonfiction, and his books and articles are known for their compelling narratives, rich characters, and thought-provoking insights.
- Franklin’s dedication to accuracy and thorough research is unparalleled. He spends months, sometimes years, researching and reporting on a single story, ensuring that every detail is factually correct.
Takeaways
- Jon Franklin’s career highlights the power of storytelling in journalism. His work has shown that even the most complex and challenging topics can be made accessible and engaging through the use of narrative techniques.
- His contributions to the field of narrative nonfiction have expanded the boundaries of traditional journalism and have paved the way for a new generation of writers to explore the intersection of fact and storytelling.
- Franklin’s commitment to accuracy and his dedication to the craft of writing serve as a reminder to aspiring journalists and writers that great storytelling requires both talent and hard work.