http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/nyregion/09astoria.html?_r=1&hp
When I went to NYT's homepage, a gorgeous image of a Queens streetcorner popped up. The story accompanying the picture was full of descriptions of the colorful people who had owned businesses in queens.
I think that, when you're dealing with colorful people, it's best to let them speak for themselves. The article mentioned how many business owners in Queens were immigrants, many of whom set up shop nearly a century ago. Wouldn't it be better to hear a variety of accents? How awesome would it be to track down an old-timey photograph of someone's great-grandfather setting up shop on that same street corner?
The article also gives an array of statistics. Statistics by themselves seem rather...dry. The issue is how small businesses are being forced to close because of the recession. An image of a row of closed storefronts is far more powerful than a statistic to that effect.
The article also reveals that new small businesses are sprouting up in the place of the old ones, demonstrating a resliency in these entrepreneurs. I want to see these people nailing up a new sign outside. I want to hear them explain why their business will thrive when others' failed.
In this case, a multimedia presentation would be far more powerful in getting the sentiment across.
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