User:Nikkimaria/Pulitzer

The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of American (Hungarian-born) publisher Joseph Pulitzer, and is administered by Columbia University in New York City. Prizes are awarded yearly in three main categories, divided into twenty-one subcategories. In twenty of these, each winner receives a certificate and a US$10,000 cash award.

Categories
Awards are made in categories relating to newspaper journalism, arts, and letters and fiction. Only published reports and photographs by United States-based newspapers or daily news organizations are eligible for the journalism prize. Beginning in 2007, "An assortment of online elements will be permitted in all journalism categories except for the competition's two photography categories, which will continue to restrict entries to still images." In December 2008 it was announced that for the first time content published in online-only news sources would be considered.

Definitions of Pulitzer Prize categories as presented in the 2008 competition:
 * Public Service – for a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper or news site through the use of its journalistic resources which, as well as reporting, may include editorials, cartoons, photographs, graphics, videos, databases, multimedia or interactive presentations or other visual material, presented in print or online or both. Often thought of as the grand prize, and mentioned first in listings of the journalism prizes, the Public Service award is given to the newspaper, not to individuals, though individuals are often mentioned for their contributions. Alone among the Pulitzer Prizes, it is awarded in the form of the Joseph Pulitzer Gold Medal.
 * Breaking News Reporting – for a distinguished example of local reporting of breaking news.
 * Investigative Reporting – for a distinguished example of investigative reporting by an individual or team, presented as a single newspaper article or series.
 * Explanatory Reporting – for a distinguished example of explanatory newspaper reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing, and clear presentation.
 * Local Reporting – for a distinguished example of local newspaper reporting that illuminates significant issues or concerns.
 * National Reporting – for a distinguished example of newspaper reporting on national affairs.
 * International Reporting – for a distinguished example of newspaper reporting on international affairs, including United Nations correspondence.
 * Feature Writing – for a distinguished example of newspaper feature writing giving prime consideration to high literary quality and originality.
 * Commentary – for distinguished commentary.
 * Criticism – for distinguished criticism.
 * Editorial Writing – for distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clarity of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer perceives to be the right direction.
 * Editorial Cartooning – for a distinguished cartoon or portfolio of cartoons published during the year, characterized by originality, editorial effectiveness, quality of drawing, and pictorial effect.
 * Breaking News Photography, previously called Spot News Photography – for a distinguished example of breaking news photography in black and white or color, which may consist of a photograph or photographs, a sequence, or an album.
 * Feature Photography – for a distinguished example of feature photography in black and white or color, which may consist of a photograph or photographs, a sequence, or an album.

There are six categories in letters and drama:
 * Fiction – for distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life.
 * Drama – for a distinguished play by an American playwright, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life.
 * History – for a distinguished book on the history of the United States.
 * Biography or Autobiography – for a distinguished biography or autobiography by an American author.
 * Poetry – for a distinguished volume of original verse by an American poet.
 * General Non-Fiction – for a distinguished book of non-fiction by an American author that is not eligible for consideration in any other category.

There is one prize given for music:
 * Pulitzer Prize for Music – for a distinguished musical contribution by an American that had its first performance or recording in the United States during the year.

There have been dozens of Special Citations and Awards.

Over the years, awards have been discontinued either because the field of the award has been expanded to encompass other areas, the award been renamed because the common terminology changed, or the award has become obsolete, such as the prizes for telegraphic reporting, which was based on the old technology of the telegram. An example of a writing field that has been expanded was the former Pulitzer Prize for the Novel (awarded 1918 to 1947), which has been changed to the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, which also includes short stories, novellas, novelettes, and fictional poetry, as well as novels.