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The body copy (the main part of your article)
The middle of your article is known as body copy and is the informative section. It explains your introduction and amplifies it.
A good way of developing body copy is to ask yourself what the audience needs or wants to know next.
For your first draft, write down the bare bones of the points you want to make, then put them in a logical sequence. Start with the most important piece of information and then the next most, until the least important information is at the end.
In news stories, the structure should be:
- introduction;
- expanding the introduction with more specific information;
- further information (including background) and quote;
- contact name and number for additional information;
Tips for body copy:
- try to cover your five W’s and H (who, where, what, why, when, how) as quickly as possible;
- stick to one thought per paragraph. The first sentence is the main thought, the next one (or two) develops it and so on until the final sentence rounds off the thought;
- make sure that you have checked all your facts;
- statistics and facts can be dull so illustrate them comparatively where possible;
- use bullet-points where, for example, a project that you are reporting has three or more different aims or objectives. However, use them sparingly. Too many bullet-points can be off-putting for the reader.
direct quotations can spice up your writing and make readers acutely aware of the real people behind the events recounted in your writing. They put the story into context for the reader, and can bring in a new angle or specific point. (see the separate quotes section for more info).
- background is important – if the story is a follow-up or update then don’t assume that your reader will automatically know the history. Summarise this for them in a sentence or two within the main body of your story.
» On to Using quotes
© Adrian Ruck MCIPR |
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