Just thinking about the sort of "introduction to journalism" course one can take at any decent four year college, or perhaps in the context of an associates' program. They generally teach that the first sentence should cover all the Ws: who, what, where, when, and why. "The chief of the Smallville fire department personally rescued a small cat from a chimney in the Soapsy neighborhood Saturday afternoon in response to a 911 call." Good lede. [Yes, journos generally spell it 'lede' for the same reason that a certain Zeppelin is described as 'led'. The spelling 'lead' -- as an alternative to led or lede -- can be confusing.] The italicized sentence is a good lede. The rescue of the cat is the what. Who rescued the cat? The chief (identified here by role not by name). Where ? a chimney in the Soapsy neighborhood. When ? Saturday afternoon. Why ? In response to a 911 call. Of course the rest of the story can expand on any or all of t...