Luleady T. Worku English Writing Specialist Writing Support Section/Writing Lab Student Learning Support Center/SLSC

What is a Hook? It is an attention grabber! It is part of the introductory paragraph. It is usually the first opening sentence in introductory paragraphs. A hook can be more than one sentence/question.

How does a hook grab attention? By presenting a surprising fact By quoting someone famous By giving shocking statistics By asking the reader questions that require an answer By asking rhetorical questions that may not necessarily require an answer

1. Surprising Facts The Three wealthiest families in the world have more assets than the combined wealth of the forty-eight poorest nations. Can you think of a topic where this hook could be useful? 34% of pet dogs are overweight or obese. Can you think of a topic where this hook could be used?

2. Powerful sayings of famous people

3. Shocking Statistics Only 2% of kids in the U.S. eat healthily. Can you think of a topic where this hook could be useful? More than 1 million species have become extinct due to global warming. Can you think of a topic where this hook could be effective?

4. Asking Questions Asking the reader questions that require answers: * Note that the hook here is more than one question.

…cont’d Can you go back and think of your childhood fantasies of becoming famous? Have you ever wondered why kids are easily attacked by viruses and bacteria? Asking the reader rhetorical questions: These are questions which the reader is not expected to answer; these are ‘alarming’ questions that give the reader ‘food for thought’. Can you imagine a world without water?

…cont’d In all cases, the hook makes readers want to learn more about the information it gives in the form of: Statement Quote Statistics Question

…what a hook shouldn’t do

Tips to writing an effective hook Read, read, and reread the prompt before writing the hook. Think of questions that you would like to ask about the topic. Make a list of those questions. By doing so, you are also narrowing your topic. Choose the most important question for you from the list. Try to find out information on it. You will use this information for your body paragraphs. Then, decide whether you want to keep that question as a hook (if it is powerful enough) or if you have to change it into a statement, statistics or a quote.

Practicing hook writing Prompt: Many cities suffer from serious air and noise pollution – as well as endless traffic jams – because of too many cars. Some people feel that cities with extensive public transportation systems should ban passenger cars and force people to walk, bike or use public transportation. Write your opinion about this

…cont’d Here are some questions you might want to ask: What is pollution? What is air/noise pollution? What happens when there are too many cars on the road? Should people be banned from using their private cars to solve traffic problems? Can biking be an alternative for traffic jams?

…cont’d The first three questions are very obvious; hence, the last two can be the most important ideas that could make effective hooks. However, before making them your hooks, have enough information about them. Remember, everything you write in your essay should follow your hook. Decide on their form: can you use them as they are (question form) or do you prefer the statement form (remember to choose powerful words here!):

Which form is more effective in this case? Why? …cont’d Question: Should people be banned from using their private vehicles? Statement: Banning people from using their personal vehicles plays an important role in solving the problem of traffic congestion. Which form is more effective in this case? Why?

Let’s write more hooks… Follow similar steps and write a hook for the following prompts. Then write a title for your essay. Today, some parents are prohibiting their younger children from watching violent TV shows fearing that their children might be negatively influenced by the shows. Some companies are limiting the use of social media in work places because they believe that it is affecting efficiency at work. ESL students can benefit more from a contextualized approach to grammar than the more traditional way of learning grammar. Globalization is no longer a matter of choice but a fact of life in the 21st century. Its effect is evident in our day-to-day lives. Some people talk of globalization as a positive phenomenon while others argue that the world is a better place without it.

In pairs, discuss about your hooks and choose the best one.

Now, let’s hear some of your hooks

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