Learn how to write a hook! Credit: Jennifer Clawson Shuksan Middle School There are at least 16 ways to hook someone into reading your essay!

Simile or Metaphor Begin with a simile or a metaphor. My life has been a carnival. My family is like an open book.

Question Begin with a question. Who is the greatest athlete of all time? Where in the Pacific Ocean can you find a delicious Krabby Patty to eat, live in a pineapple, and drive in an underwater boat? Bikini Bottom, of course!

Definition Begin with a definition. Amiable is the best way to describe my personality: I am friendly and caring. Perfect is the best adjective to describe me: I am flawless in every aspect of my life.

Quotation Begin with a quotation. Something someone has said (in quotes). “Learn to laugh” is something my kindergarten teacher told me after Ralph Thorsen spilled paint on my daffodil picture. "Do you smell that? That smell--It's the smell of a smelly smell that smells smelly," stated Spongebob from the show Spongebob Squarepants.

Comparison Begin with a comparison to a well-known person or celebrity. I am as photogenic as Tyra Banks.

Future Begin with placing yourself in the future. In the year 2022 I see myself as a supreme ballerina performing in Camelot at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Dilemma (Problem) Begin with a dilemma. Deciding to attend Hampton Roads Academy, a private school, was one of my most difficult decisions.

Scene Begin with a scene. The day of my birth began with Hurricane Charlie pounding at our door in Charleston, South Carolina.

Advice Begin with the best advice you have ever received. “Brandy, did you practice the piano?” Since I was six years old, this has been a daily reminder from my dear mother. “Be all you can be” has been my inspiration from my grandfather who is a retired Marine Corps colonel and my mentor.

Anecdote (Story) Begin with an anecdote (story). As my cousin and I pedaled our new bikes to the beach, 6 years old, suntanned and young, we met an old, shaggy-haired woman weaving unsteadily on a battered old bike.

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is a word that makes sounds. Those can be animal sounds, car sounds, or any other sound. Examples include: Bang! Woof! or Cock-a- doodle-doo!

Poem Use a poem from a famous author, or make up your own. Ex: so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens. -William Carlos Williams

Song Use a line or two from your favorite song on the radio. Make sure you relate it to your essay. Do you ever feel like a plastic bag Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? -Katy Perry

Interjection Interjections express emotions. Examples: Aha!, Stop!, Ugh!, Help!, Well!, YOW!, Brrrr!, Yummy

Statistic Startling Statistic Statistics show relationships with numbers. Find a surprising statistic involving your topic. 98% of Shuksan students have picked out their top four universities by the end of sixth grade.

Dialogue Dialogue features two or more people talking. “Did you finish your homework?” asked mom. “I already finished it at school,” I lied.

What does this picture represent? Explain why and give an example. (There can be more than one answer) Words to use: Comparison Same Different Alike Orbit

What does this picture represent? Explain why and give an example. (There can be more than one answer) Words to use: Problem Dilemma Solution Decision Orbit

What does this picture represent? Explain why and give an example. (There can be more than one answer) Words to use: Question Wonder Who What When Why HowOrbit

What does this picture represent? Explain why and give an example. (There can be more than one answer) Words to use: Quotation Author Says Thinks

What does this picture represent? Explain why and give an example. (There can be more than one answer) Words to use: Dialogue Said Replied “,”.

What does this picture represent? Explain why and give an example. (There can be more than one answer) Words to use: Statistic Percent (%) Number Studies show

Which one doesn’t fit? dialogue song climax statistic dilemma anecdote Plot Triangle Onomatopoeia