What is the primary purpose of the lede in a broadcast news script?

• A. To present the entire history of the story
• B. To capture attention and present the most essential information (the key 5 W’s) quickly
• C. To list all sources
• D. To provide a weather forecast

Answer: (B)

The lede’s job is to catch the viewer’s attention and give the most important information right away. In broadcast writing, the opening lines should quickly summarize the story by answering who, what, when, where, and why (and how, if relevant). This quick, compelling snapshot lets listeners understand the significance of the story immediately and decide to stay tuned.

Details like the full history or listing every source aren’t appropriate for the lede—they belong in the body of the script or later segments. A weather forecast, meanwhile, is a separate segment and not the primary purpose of the lede for a general news story.