Hooking our Readers

Do you like going to the movies? Hooking a reader when you are writing an essay is just as important as a movie trailer is to the success of the movie. You want to give “a little bit” of the content, but you really want them to “buy the ticket.”

Different ways to “hook” our readers Dialogue Dialogue has the potential to hook readers, but when done wrong it can turn them off. Good dialogue will set up a scene and make readers want to keep reading. When using dialogue it is important to remember: Show, not tell. Don't just tell us what the character is saying and feeling, but use details too. Dialogue can be included, but it shouldn't be the only thing you do. Dialogue is a perfect way to create character's personality. Instead of saying Keisha has an attitude, why not show it to your readers by the way she talks. Your readers are more likely to believe it when they read it.

How do these examples hook the reader? “ Hurry or you’ll be late!” called my mother from the bottom of the stairs. “Today of all days you want to be on time.” If I had only known what that day would bring, I would have stayed in bed. “Did you hear that noise?” Uncle Steven asked. Those five simple words created a memory I will never forget. It was Thanksgiving Day and I was at my Great-Grandma Dodge’s house

Practice Time… Look at your story. How could you start your story off with dialogue? Write down, on your piece of paper, a few lines of dialogue that would be a good starting point.

Well, did I get your attention? This is another example of one way to hook your reader in the introduction: Ask Questions You can ask a rhetorical question (you already know the answer to the question) that draws the reader into wanting to read further to discover the answer to the question. Ask an interesting question that you will answer in your essay.

How does this example “hook” the reader? Have you ever had a day when you wished you had stayed in bed? As I rushed to catch the bus on what seemed to be a perfectly normal day I had no idea what was ahead of me. Do embarrassing things ever happen to you? They happen to me all the time, and usually at the worst possible moments. After I made a very silly mistake in my P.E. class, I was so embarrassed that I didn’t think I would ever go back to school. But my brother convinced me I could.

Practice Time… Writing an effective question to begin your introduction can help you organize your essay, because you have to be able to answer the question in a comprehensive manner. On your piece of paper, try to think of some questions you could start your story with. Write a few questions down (2 or 3)

Ways to “hook” the reader… A vivid description One of our goals as a writer is to allow our readers to imagine they are in the story. If we use our five senses, we can allow readers to paint a picture in their minds as they read. Example: The sun was warm on my back as I raced toward the waiting yellow school bus. As I nestled into the worn leather seat I was greeted by the friendly voices of other excited children. The look on my face was one of confidence and contentment. With a jerk the bus rumbled down the road and I was on my way into one of the worst days of my life.

Practice Time I’m going to show you a picture. I want you to use vivid descriptions and write a short paragraph about the picture. Pretend the person cannot see the picture and you need to describe it to them. You have already create a list of your five senses that you could include as a “hook” for you story. Think of some ways you could write your 1st paragraph with those details. Jot down a few notes to help you remember how you would write your 1st paragraph using vivid details.

Ways to “hook” the reader… A quote Intrigue your reader by using a quotation that is well-known (but be sure to put quotation marks around it). You can also use a quotation from someone that is not famous. It could be from a song, movie, or one of your own.

A student’s example… John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I think today's Americans have forgotten Kennedy's message. We expect our country to take care of us, but we are not taking care of our country. While walking home from school one day, I noticed a group of kids about my age. They were huddled close to each other and one was holding a can of spray paint. As I stepped closer to see what they were doing one of the boys turned quickly towards me. …..

Practice Time Is there a quote you know that would fit with your story? Think of well-known quotes. Write down one quote that you could include as your “hook” for your story.

Practice Time… Choose one of these methods to write your 1st paragraph. Dialogue Questions Vivid Descriptions Quotes Rewrite your 1st paragraph, then show it to your neighbor. Neighbors: read the 1st paragraph. Give your opinion. Did they “hook” you? Do you want to read more about their story? Is there something they can do to improve?