The body contains all the information after the lead - that which doesn’t necessary have to be spent in the nut graph. It’s the “meat” of the story. This is where good reporting comes in, because this is where the reporter gets to display everything he/she has learned about the subject matter in an organized fashion.

 

Some suggestions:

 

Most often it is best to use the inverted pyramid style of presenting information in the body of the story.

 

Get good quotes up high. Why? If they’re that good, they deserve to be seen. Putting good quotes lower in a story could get them trimmed due to space limitations.

 

Nail down your facts. Don’t be vague. Explain and support everything.

 

Use quotes that support statements.

 

Use transition statements, sentences and paragraphs as much as possible.

 

DO NOT juxtapose quotes.

 

Use simple verbs to describe actions that take place.

 

Keep jargon and vernacular out. Paraphrase if necessary, attributing the subject matter.

 

A MINIMUM of two sources (depending on space limitations) is a must for every fact presented.

 

Don’t tell the reader what you know. Show the reader what the people you interviewed said by letting them say it.