One of These Things Aren't Like the Other

Summary Lede vs. Feature Lede. Both are useful, but are used differently to open a story.

Summary ledes gives the reader all the important information upfront, before the details of the story are divulged. These are typically hard news ledes and gives the basic who, what, where, and when.

Feature ledes are longer in length, and leaves more room for creativity. This type of lead usually delays details until after the nut graph.

Feature Lede:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/fashion/31peters.html?_r=1&ref=fashion

Summary Lede:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/03/world/asia/03military.html?hp