Hooking Your Reader: How to grab their attention

Fascinating Fact Tell the reader something they might not know—give them an interesting piece of information Example: In the past 10 years, more than 5,000 animals have been cloned.

Ask a Question Rhetorical questions (questions where you don’t expect an answer—or questions with OBVIOUS answers) are great ways to get someone’s attention Example: Can you imagine someone else having your exact DNA?

Challenge Your Reader Say something that might go against your reader’s normal way of thinking. Example: I bet you would not feel safe if you knew there was someone else in the world who could pretend to be you.

Personal Anecdote or Feeling Tell the reader a story or share an experience with your reader—let them know how you feel. Example: I recently watched a movie called Sixth Day. At first, I thought it would be fantastic to have the opportunity to clone a pet when it has died. However, I have since learned that there are negative consequences to this procedure.

Quotation Quotes can be useful because they may be familiar to your reader, or they may be sayings that are often used, or they could lend authority to your essay if you quote someone famous, well known, or well-respected. Example: No two people are alike.” You may have heard this statement before, but our government is trying to change that.

Startling Statement Whether you are trying to persuade your reader, or explain something, shocking statements can help grab a reader’s attention when you write something they normally wouldn’t read or already know. Example: In the last year, several animals have been killed needlessly to experiment with cloning.

Imagery Imagery can help the reader better understand the setting, or present something creatively. Imagery is a great way to convince your reader that your essay is worth looking at! Example: Imagine your beautiful puppy chasing a ball, playing with your little brother or sister, or even snuggling up with you while you sleep. Now imagine that same puppy being poked with needles and possibly getting sick and dying—all for the government’s desire to play God by cloning animals.