Summary Lead vs. Feature Lead

The summary lead is a sentence or two with the most important information that will attract the reader so he/ she will continue to read the story.  The summary lead is used in straight, hard news stories and covers most or all of the 5 W's (who, what, where, when, why) and the how.  The summary lead follows the inverted pyramid format, which has the more pertinent information in the first couple of paragraphs to get the attention of the viewer and inform them immediately of what is going on. The less important facts are towards the end of the story, after all of the major information has been covered.  

The feature lead follows a different format than summary leads.  Instead of focusing on just the major facts like the summary lead, the feature lead is used when the story and information is lighter.   Feature leads serve as a preview for what is to come later in the article.  The feature lead allows the writer to take a creative path and showcase their works to lure in viewers. The feature lead does not give the major information, but it gives a little story to tempt the viewers to continue to read the article and find out more.  Some of the different feature leads include: anecdotal leads, narrative leads, descriptive leads, question leads,and other feature leads.

My first example of an article with a feature lead was published this morning in baltimoresun.com titled "Bread baker Dale Dugan is a rising star".  The lead starts off explaining how the humidity in the hot summer air makes his bread making process a bit different than a normal day.  The feature lead goes on to explain how the Baltimore humidity from April is another ingredient in his tasty bread.  The article then goes on to explain more about Dale Dugan and his local bread making shop and the success he is having in the Baltimore area.

You can check out the article at: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bal-ae.fo.dugan03jun03,0,5683571.story

My second example of an article with a feature lead was published yesterday in nytimes.com titled "New Stadium is Tough for Autograph Hounds".  The lead starts off by talking about how Yankee fans used to be able to wait outside of the old Yankee stadium for their beloved players so they could try and get an autograph and just see them for that couple of seconds when they were outside walking to their cars.  After two paragraphs the story shifts and goes on to explain how Yankee fans cannot wait outside to see the players  at the new Yankee Stadium because they moved the players parking lot.  The article continues to talk about fan reactions and their disappointments in the new set up.

You can check this article at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/03/nyregion/03autograph.html?ref=todayspaper