Chapter 4: Summary Ledes

A summary lede is the opening sentence or two of a news story designed to quickly answer the "5W's and the H" of a story. Summary ledes in print and online news are written in active voice, past tense, and include a time element.

Examples of Summary Ledes:

-"A car bomb explosion critically wounded the head of the Arkansas panel that licenses and disciplines doctors, detonating in his driveway as he was leaving for work, authorities said." (The Baltimore Sun, 2/4/09)

This first example is short, concise, written in the past tense, and includes a time element. It answers the questions who, what, when where, and how.

-"Facing criticism from political foes and human rights advocates, the British government on Thursday defended a court’s decision not to release information about a British terrorism suspect who says he was tortured in American custody. The court said it reached its decision because of what it called a threat from the United States to reconsider sharing intelligence with the country." (New York Times, 2/5/09)

This summary lede does a great job of summarizing a complicated news story and introducing it in a way that engages and interests readers; however, it is too long (60 words), and it backs into the story. I think this lede would be stronger and more effective if the first clause was taken out.

-"At least 800 civilians caught in raging fighting escaped Sri Lanka's war zone on Thursday, the military said, and the government renewed a call for Tamil Tiger rebels to surrender unconditionally or face destruction." (NYT (Reuters) 2/5/09)

This summary lede adheres to all the guidelines given in our chapter four of our textbook. It is written in past tense and includes a time element. It is specific, concise, and written in active voice.