Writing the Lede (Lead)

A "led"e is the first sentence of your writing. It is also spelled, "lead" - both are accepted spellings and pronounced, "LEED."

Depending on whether you are writing a hard or soft story, a lede should reflect the content of your article.

Remember: Always write in the active, and not passive voice! Something happening to someone is not news. Someone doing something is news. 


Passive: The sandwich was eaten by the boy.


Active: The boy ate the sandwich.


The lead sentence is constructed in the following form, Subject, Verb, Object. Think SVO when constructing your lead sentence and following sentences where points are outlined. 


Write a lead of between 20-25 words:

You are writing for a newspaper near this accident. 

• Whow: QR’s train called the  Queensland Surfer 
• What:  Collided with a train loaded with sugar cane 
• When: 5:50am today 
• Where: at the crossing near Innisfail 
• Why:  John Bloke, QR spokesperson: The sugar cane train loaded with sugar cane as well as QR’s train were both northbound. The sugar cane train run a stop sign. 
• Other Information: At least 1 in serious condition (QR passenger), sugar cane driver in shock brought to hospital, and at least 12 passengers with minor injuries, treated at site.

A serious accident involving a Queensland Rail (QR) train and Suger Cane train on a crossing near Innisfail has caused at least 1 serious injury and 12 minor injuries on QR passengers. ~~~ Too many adjectives. 

• Who:  7 year old boy missing for 2 years
• What: found
• Where: Crocodile Creek
• When: Last night, around 8:30
• Why: unknown as of press time
• How: A neighbour recognized the child’s picture when it was shown on Crimestoppers ‘have you seen them? Segment in last night’s WIN News program at 6. 
• Other information: Police arrested the boy’s mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, 27; she faces Victorian charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant.

A boy has been found after two years near Crocodile Creek after a neighbor recognised the boy's face. ~~~ Too Vague.

• Who: 40 passengers
• What: evacuated from a Virgin Blue Airlines jet, Flight 428
• Where: at Cairns International Airport
• When: Wednesday following a flight from Perth to Cairns
• Why: A landing tower employee spotted smoke near the wheels
• How: unknown
• Other information: There was no fire or injuries; the smoke was caused by hydraulic fluids leaking onto hot landing brakes, according to Bob Gibbons, a Virgin Blue spokesperson.

A Virgin Blue aircraft was evacuated yesterday at Cairns International Airport after a landing tower employee spotted smoke near the aircraft's wheels.

The 40 passengers of flight 428 were evacuated from the Virgin Blue flight that originated from Perth.


Investigations into the incident found the cause of the smoke was a result of leaking hydraulic fluid. 
Virgin Blue spokesperson, Bob Gillons believes that the smoke was caused by hydraulic fluids leaking onto the hot landing brakes.       (Don't make up direct quotes)