Addressing the question of the usefulness of the concept of New Journalism, this study also seeks to define the essential characteristics of New Journalism and to determine whether, in fact, there is such a thing. The first chapter reviews the critical literature of New Journalism, sorting out some of the many uses of the term, then narrowing the focus to look at what some writers who call themselves (or are called) New Journalists say they do and at what others say they do. The second chapter proposes a definition of New Journalism, states it conceptually, and exemplifies it operationally. The third chapter considers some journalistic aspects of New Journalism and discusses the techniques--once the domain of fiction writers--which New Journalists have applied to news reporting. The fourth and final chapter presents some conclusions. (RB)