Introduction to Persuasive Essay Writing: Hook Statements



Introduction to Persuasive Essay Writing: Hook Statements

An essay's "hook" is something in the first paragraph--usually the first sentence or two--that draws the reader in and makes him want to continue to read. The hook's tone should match that of your essay (serious, humorous, academic), and it should support your central argument or main point. You might want to wait to write a hook until the rest of the essay has been written, so you will know what you want the hook to say and how you want to say it.

Sample Hook Statements:

1. Opening with an unusual detail- This is something that people would likely not know and make them want to read on to find out why.

a. The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary (Source to follow here).

b. Manitoba, because of its cold climate, is not considered a great place to be a reptile. Actually, it has the largest seasonal congregation of garter snakes in the world (Source to follow here).

2. Opening with a strong statement

a. Schindler's List graphically portrays the horrific acts of German concentration camps in World War Two.

3. Opening with a quotation

a. Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard” (Source to follow here).

4. Opening with an anecdote- An anecdote is something that tells an amusing or attention-getting story.

a. When my older brother substituted fresh eggs for our hard-boiled Easter eggs, he didn’t realize our father would take the first crack at hiding them.

b. Yesterday morning I watched as my older sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped onto the bus.

5. Opening with a statistic or fact- Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your topic. It is necessary to include the source of your statistic or fact.

a. "Seventy-two percent of Canadians have been directly related to a person, or persons, killed during WWII" (Source to follow here).

6. Opening with a question- Questions can create personal interest in the essay, but be careful your question is not too general. For example, in an essay about cell phone use asking, “Do you own a cell phone?” is too general.

a. What would you do if you discovered a secret that changed everything?

b. Can you imagine how much a single day can cost if you live in Shibuya, Tokyo?

7. Opening with an exaggeration or outrageous statement

a. The whole world watched as the comet flew overhead.

b. If the government cuts any more money from education, the entire country will crumble.

8. Appeal to emotions or find multiple meanings in key words in your title or thesis.

a. Babies are so sweet and adorable. But what if women stopped wanting them?

9. Opening with a common stereotype that you might challenge in your essay.

a. All women want is to stay at home and bring up babies.

For your Intro Paragraph

Factual Appeal

1. Choose a statistic, fact, definition or a non-fictional anecdote to write the hook for your essay.

2. Research your topic to be sure that your information is accurate.

3. Write the first or first few sentences of your opening paragraph using the fact, statistic, definition or anecdote you think will have the deepest impact on your reader. Use the rest of the paragraph to add your supporting details and outline your arguments for the rest of the essay.

Emotional Appeal

1. Choose a question, quotation or fictional scenario to write the hook for your essay.

2. Decide what emotions you want your reader to feel as they read your opening paragraph. Do you want them be angry over a situation, feel sympathy for someone or even be happy?

3. Write the first or first few sentences by crafting a question, finding a short quotation or creating an anecdote that will make your reader feel the emotions you want them to feel. Use the rest of the paragraph to outline your arguments in the rest of the essay.

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