The story I chose was, The Official Coming-Out Party written by Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.
Clark’s advice that pertains to this story was “reveal the traits of the character” and “work towards an ending.”
This story was very well written and thought out. I heard about this story before, but never read it. The author is able to take someone who is actually a pretty normal person and dig into their life in order to tell an amazing story. Arnovitz does an excellent job revealing the traits of Bill Kennedy, not only as a gay man, but as a NBA referee and a human being. The author mentions small details and instances that gives readers a better sense of who this guy really is. The author describes him liking karaoke and hanging out with friends and other details that make him relateable.
This story was a feature story, so the author had no other choice, but to reveal the traits of Kennedy. The story was all about him and in order for them to pull the proper reaction from readers, he had to reveal Kennedy to everyone.
Clark’s second piece of advice, “work towards an ending,” is reflected in this story as well. The story opens up and introduces Kennedy and from there his life is unraveled from a child dreaming of becoming a NBA referee to his life now after going through the Rajon Rondo situation and coming out to the world. The author did a great job using Kennedy’s personal stories, and all the details to build up to and ending that shows how this has made him into who he is today.