Pronunciation: [lˈiːdz] (IPA) 
The word "ledes" is a plural form of the noun "lede", meaning a channel or watercourse. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /lidz/, with stress on the second syllable. The letter "e" in the spelling is pronounced as a schwa sound, while "s" is pronounced as /z/ due to its position between two vowels. It is important to use proper spelling and pronunciation in order to effectively convey meaning in communication.
Ledes, sometimes spelled as "lede," is a term commonly used in journalism to refer to the opening sentence or paragraph of a news article. It serves the purpose of summarizing the main point of the article and grabbing the reader's attention.
A lede is carefully crafted to provide the reader with a brief introduction to the article's subject matter, while also enticing them to continue reading. It often contains the most significant and impactful information, acting as a hook to draw the reader in. The lede should ideally be concise, engaging, and compelling enough to encourage readers to explore the full article.
In journalistic writing, the lede is crucial as it determines whether a reader decides to read the entire piece or not. A well-crafted lede can set the tone for the article and generate interest in the topic being covered. It may incorporate crucial facts, quotes, or explanations necessary to understand the story's context.
While different styles and formats may exist for writing ledes, they all share the aim of providing readers with a succinct and captivating opening to the news report. The lede is a fundamental element of news writing, enabling journalists to effectively communicate the primary message while capturing the readers' attention from the very beginning.
