Citizen Composer Sample Hooks Core Assessment

Sample #1 Studies have shown that proper learning cannot take place unless a student feels secure in his school environment. Yet, nearly every day there is a story on the local news about a child being bullied at school. Even worse, there are cases of violence and death associated with bullying. Though a school district may not be fully responsible for children’s behavior during the school day, they are able to take certain measures to make sure all students feel safe at school, receive their education, and be able to engage in nonthreatening relations. The first step in creating a positive school climate is for public schools to implement a school uniform policy. Type of Hook Technique Used: __________________________

Sample #2 Imagine a school in which there is no violence or theft. It’s a place where students are able to perform to their maximum potential both in the classroom and outside of it. This school has little, if any, reports of bullying due to a decrease in peer pressure. It may seem unbelievable, but according to the Department of Education, when school uniforms are instituted, there is a decrease of bullying and theft, and students show an increase in academic performance. Let’s make this true of our district, too, and implement a policy of school uniforms throughout our district. Type of Hook Technique Used: __________________________

Sample #3 Fifth grader Josh Evans comes home every evening to face hours of homework ahead of him. After his four fifteen snack and his favorite show, he sits down to contemplate math problems, practice his handwriting, complete his science questions, and read his independent book. If you factor in the half an hour for dinner, he will get to bed, on average, at ten o’clock at night. This, if he is allowed no other free time. While homework may be practical and even required for some districts, students like Josh should not be wasting their time and energy if it is not truly helping. Homework should be limited in order to stop unnecessary assignments, create more family time, and promote creativity and imagination in young children. Type of Hook Technique Used: __________________________

Sample #4 Since the beginning of time man has dreamed about exploring the infinite space that surrounds Planet Earth. With the advanced technology developed by today’s top scientists, it has finally become possible. It all started on October 4, 1957 when the United States and the Soviet Union challenged each other on space exploration. Now all of this is being jeopardized by the problems of this task at hand. Space exploration should continue in the United States because it could provide materials to help some sicknesses, could solve some unanswered questions about civilization’s creation, and can satisfy the human appetite for adventure. Type of Hook Technique Used: __________________________

Sample #5 About three million people die from air pollution worldwide. That is an unacceptable amount. Air pollution isn’t just bad for our health, but also for the environment. Air pollution is also getting even worse since there are more vehicles and factories polluting the air. Air pollution is a serious issues and should be noticed by the government. Congress should enforce a law or act that will improve air pollution throughout the country. Type of Hook Technique Used: __________________________

Sample #6 According to one source, “Oil, coal, and natural gas supply nearly 88 percent of the world’s energy needs, or about 350 quadrillion BTUs” (“Fossil Fuels vs. Renewable Energy Resources”). According to Mirriam-Webster, a fossil fuel is “a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas0 formed in the earth from plant or animal remains.” A BTU is a unit of energy that’s equivalent to the energy and warmth created from lighting a match. Alternative energy sources, also called renewable energy sources, are the crux of the solution to the fossil fuel problem. Renewable energy sources are sources of energy that are unlimited. The United States should transfer to alternative energy sources rather than using fossil fuels. Type of Hook Technique Used: __________________________

Sample #7 Why do millions of dollars each year go to paying professional baseball players’ salaries? Are these ridiculously high salaries fair and deserved? Baseball is considered to be the All- American sport--our national pastime. It is past time that fans continue to pay high ticket prices to fund the salaries of professional baseball players. Type of Hook Technique Used: __________________________

Answer key 1. Strong statement 2. Anecdote (general) 3. Anecdote (specific) 4. Exaggeration 5. Strong statement 6. Quote/statistic + fact 7. question