Bringing Down the House: Response

When I first read the profile on Jennifer Hudson by Annie Leibovitz, I really enjoyed it, so I knew I wanted to delve into it further to examine the content and the craft. Upon subsequent reading, the narrative seemed to be a good example of a profile based on some of the 'technical' readings I completed this week.

The piece has a great structure, and it is obvious that the writer did her fair share of reporting and background searching. The lede brings the reader into the arena of the piece, introducing the 'who' of the profile by presenting details such as the description of audience reactions to Dreamgirls. The reader can already get an idea of who the character is before the details of her life are laid out.

The narrative then continues chronologically, pausing only to take a step back and describe Hudson's background, life, and 'rise to the top'. The excellent use of detail and fact about the character's life interwoven with interview is evident. In fact, the use of interview throughout the piece is quite effective in presenting other's views of Hudson, which as Malcolm Gladwell states in Telling True Stories, is usually where some of the best material comes from.

The writer is careful to include description, when presenting the dresses Hudson fitted, for example. Even the small details, like indicating that they were riding in an SUV, for example, help paint the entire picture of the character and her life. The writer is also keen to the importance of describing the place as well as the person. Her description of Hudson's fatigue in La Guardia rush hour traffic would not have been as effective had the locale not been included.

One of the main things I liked about the piece was the interwoven story lines. In addition to getting to know the character of Jennifer Hudson, the reader was also introduced to the 'Hollywood life' through the various dress fittings. The theme of African-American talent was also interspersed throughout the piece. The telling detail, though, was the introduction of the notebook of de la Renta sketches. Through careful description, the reader comes to understand the importance of this sketchbook to Hudson and it signifies how dream-like the award season has been for her. It also helps convey Hudson's down-to-earth personality; she is so fixed on the sketch not because she is a Hollywood princess, but because this is such an exciting first-time experience for her.

That detail helped answer the questions that Jacqui Banaszynski indicated that every reader should ask in Telling True Stories: How would you characterize this person?, and At the end, do you know whether or not you like this person?

I felt that could positively answer both questions, making the piece successful. I could concretely identify Hudson as a very real, humble, young woman, and I knew that I definitely liked her a lot after I finished the narrative. Great pick!