WRITING METHODS
Bly employed various tactics to engage her readers in significant issues.
"I have never written a word that did not come from my heart. I never shall."
-Nellie Bly in The Evening Journal
firsthand accounts
Bly wrote vividly and used impactful quotations in order for the reader to connect to her experiences.
'"What has been the economic position of woman? ...She still occupies her old position by the kitchen fire...But she is gradually coming to the front.'" |
Built TrusT
Bly strove to write in a way that allowed the reader to experience moments with her. This built a connection, making Bly a trusted source of information.
"I waited with my heart in a frequent but unnatural position--way up in my throat--until he reappeared..." |
Evoked Emotions
Bly used emotion in her writing to make the reader care about the subject of her articles. The emotions evoked led people to enact reforms.
Here, Bly used satire to raise awareness about mistreated zoo animals:
Here, Bly used satire to raise awareness about mistreated zoo animals:
"Think of it! Five dollars for sticking a pen-knife into a bear's nose to hear him howl! Quite cheap fun! Why, it costs more to buy two seats to see Irving play 'Hamlet!'" |
ShoWed empathy
Bly worked to understand and sympathize with the subjects of her articles.
"She wasn't really a fantastic writer. She just...knew how to put herself into the world."
-Brooke Kroeger, author of Nellie Bly: Daredevil, Reporter, Feminist