The Pulitzer Prize is a United States literary award given out each April. Recipients of the award are chosen by an independent board and officially administered by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in the United States. The prize was established by Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American journalist and newspaper publisher in the late 19th century. The very first Pulitzer Prizes were awarded on June 4, 1917.
The name Pulitzer is often mispronounced. The correct pronunciation, according to administrators of the prize, should sound like "Pull it, sir."
Awards are given out in journalism, and in arts and letters. Only United States-based newspapers or daily news organizations are eligible for the journalism prize.
These are the Pulitzer Prize category definitions in the 2004 competition:
Beat Reporting - For a distinguished example of beat reporting characterized by sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a particular subject or activity.
Breaking 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.
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.
Editorial Writing - For distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction.
Explanatory Reporting - For a distinguished example of explanatory reporting that illuminates a significant and complex subject, demonstrating mastery of the subject, lucid writing and clear presentation.
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.
Feature Writing - For a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to high literary quality and originality.
Investigative Reporting - For a distinguished example of investigative reporting by an individual or team, presented as a single article or series.
National Reporting - For a distinguished example of reporting on national affairs.
Public Service - For a distinguished example of meritorious public service by a newspaper through the use of its journalistic resources which may include editorials, cartoons, and photographs, as well as reporting.
In addition to the prizes, Pulitzer fellowships are awarded to four outstanding students of the Graduate School of Journalism as selected by the faculty.
