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Often at times, we come by a piece of literature written by a "Pulitzer Prize winner." And in most cases, "Pulitzer Prize winner" translates to nothing more than "good writer." So what exactly is the Pulitzer Prize? How do you win the prize and what does the prize entitle?

Joseph Pulitzer

The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S award both established and endowed by renown journalist and publisher, Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911). The prize is awarded annually in twenty-one subcategories of journalism, literature, and music. The specific categories for journalism include: Public Service, Breaking News Reporting, Investigative Reporting, Explanatory Reporting, Local Reporting, National Reporting, International Reporting, Feature Writing, Commentary, Criticism, Editorial Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Breaking News Photography, and Feature Photography. The categories for literature include: Fiction, Drama, History, Biography or Autobiography, Poetry, and General Nonfiction. Musical Composition is the only Pulitzer Award for music.


The origins of the Pulitzer Prize lie within Joseph Pulitzer's will. Pulitzer's will allocated money to Columbia University to both open the first U.S journalism school and to officially establish the Pulitzer Prize. Pulitzer was the first to introduce the necessity to provide journalism training at the university level. In essence, he is largely the reason why journalism schools even exist today. Pulitzer simply desired for further reformation of journalism and literature in the United States. He, himself, was a journalist who changed journalism forever. He wrote against corrupt government and business, constantly pushing the limits of freedom of the press. His two newspapers, the St.Louis Post-Dispatch and the New York World, were revolutionary in their editorial content and structure. Joseph Pulitzer is still widely considered one of the finest and most skillful journalists to have lived, acting as a role model and example for many journalists today.

'Local Reporting jury chair Mizell Stewart III'

The Pulitzer Prize award process is lengthy and extremely competitive. The process takes approximately one year to complete. The pool of applicants consists of "highly-qualified" professional journalists, writers, and musicians in the various fields of journalism, literature, and musical composition. A 102-member judge panel divides into 20 juries, each of which nominate three entries for it's respective category (one jury nominates for both photography categories). After all nominations are determined, the actual winners are determined by the 19-member board. The board consists of highly respected editors, executives, and educators including the president of Columbia University and the dean of the Columbia University School of Journalism. Awards are given based on a majority vote for a specific nomination or a three-fourths override vote on a piece of work that has not been nominated. The board also has the option to vote 'no award' if it deems no entry meets the proper "standard of excellence" in any given category.


The Pulitzer Prize winners are announced in April followed by an official ceremony one month later. The announcement includes the category winner along with two other nominated finalists, or runner-ups. The winner of each category receives a certificate along with a $10,000 cash award with an exception to the Public Service award winner who receives a gold-medal in replace of a certificate.

Earlier this year, the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for 'Local Reporting' was awarded to Frank Main, Mark Konkol, and John J. Kim of the Chicago Sun-Times for their "documentation of violence in Chicago neighborhoods, probing the lives of victims, criminals and detectives as a widespread code of silence impedes solutions." The 2011 Pulitzer Prize for 'Breaking News Photography' was awarded to Carol Guzy, Nikki Kahn, and Ricky Carioti of the Washington Post for their "up-close portrait of grief and desperation after a catastrophic earthquake struck Haiti." One photo, shown below, captures a devastating image of a man and a woman holding hands as they walk through the middle of utter catastrophe.

Taken by Pulitzer Prize Winners, Carol Guzy, Nikki Kahn, and Ricky Carioti of the Washington Post.

2011 Pulitzer Prize for 'Breaking News Photography' Entry Gallery

The Pulitzer Prize is more than just a big deal. It symbolizes the collective and outstanding efforts of the literary community. It represents society's forward movement through the legitimate and authentic works of our finest writers. This is precisely what Joseph Pulitzer wished for, a society revolutionized. Journalism, literature, and music are aspects of society that are here to stay and they constantly reshape our perspectives of the world around us. It is essential that we recognize the works of these talented individuals who dedicate their lives to this cause.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning works are truly extraordinary. Take some time to review the recent prize-winning pieces here and share your favorites in the comments below.