1. HOW TO GET A READER’S ATTENTION
HOOKS OR
HOW TO GET A READER’S ATTENTION
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron

2. WHAT PAPERS USE THEM?
EVERY GENRE OF PAPER NEEDS A HOOK OF SOME KIND. IT’S JUST UP TO YOU TO CHOOSE THE ONE THAT IS MOST APPROPRIATE. THIS IS BASED ON THE INTENT OF THE ESSAY AND THE AUDIENCE. YOU NEED A HOOK FOR:
NARRATIVES
PERSUASIVE ESSAYS
LITERARY RESPONSE
Research Paper

3. THE INTRODUCTION important definitions
Hook: An opening sentence or two that grabs the reader’s interest and introduces the general topic of the essay
Examples:
Historical information
An anecdote
A surprising statement
A declarative statement
A quote
A definition

4. POSSIBLE HOOKS: Historical Information
Over 420 million years, before man walked the earth, sharks were gliding through the great oceans.
Anecdote
The horrifying story of Robert Pamperin goes back to June of The scene: San Diego’s La Jolla Cove. Pamperin was diving for sea snails with his buddy Gerald Lehrer and all was going smoothly, until Lehrer heard Pamperin scream. He looked over and saw Robert hoisted high out of the water without his mask. Why was he so high up? The entire lower half of his body was in the mouth of a shark.

5. POSSIBLE HOOKS: Surprising Statement Declarative Statement
U.S. beach goers beware: Shark experts predict that there will be more shark attacks this summer than last, affecting the estimated 200 million people who visit American beaches each year.
Declarative Statement
There have already been 25 shark attacks this year, the most recent one reported over the weekend, again off the coast of the North Carolina's Outer Banks.

6. POSSIBLE HOOKS: Quote Definition
"If something is wrong with the largest, most powerful group in the sea, then something is wrong with the sea, so it's a relief to find they're in good shape…” (Burgess)
Definition
An apex predator, also known as an alpha predator, is a predator residing at the top of a food chain upon which no other creatures prey.

7. GENERAL TOPIC SENTENCES
NEXT:
The
GENERAL TOPIC SENTENCES
after the hook

8. General Topic Sentences Why do we need them?
They keep the reader focused on the point of the essay
They serve as a transition between the hook and the thesis statement

9. U.S. beach goers beware: Shark experts predict that there will be more shark attacks this summer than last, affecting the estimated 200 million people who visit American beaches each year. While it’s good to be aware, there is no need to panic. Despite the rise in shark sightings, there are ways to protect yourself at the beach. Swimmers can ensure their safety by avoiding dangerous swimming spots, avoid swimming at dawn, dusk, or night, and avoid swimming in cloudy or murky water.

10. Writing a Good Concluding Paragraph
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11. What does the conclusion do?
1. it summarizes the essay
2. it shows you proved the point you set out to make
3. it gives the reader a sense of completion
4. it leaves the reader remembering your main point
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12. Wait, that sounds kind of like the introduction
Wait, that sounds kind of like the introduction!     So, what is the difference between  the introductory paragraph & the concluding paragraph? The difference is in the approach to the topic.
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13. Think of these two paragraphs as funnels, one leading toward the body of your essay, while the other leads the reader away from the body.
The introduction begins with a general approach to the topic and then moves toward the more specific aspect(s) of it
The conclusion begins with the more specific aspect(s) and moves toward the general topic of your essay
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14. What main point did you want to make in your essay?
Did you make that point?
Summarize it in your conclusion.
Often you can use the introductory paragraph as a guide. This will help you come full circle and give your reader a sense of completion.
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15. Then you might make this the first sentence of your conclusion:
Perhaps you began your essay by saying: U.S. beach goers beware: Shark experts predict that there will be more shark attacks this summer than last, affecting the estimated 200 million people who visit American beaches each year.
Then you might make this the first sentence of your conclusion:
All in all, swimmers can ensure their safety at the beach by avoiding beaches where sharks are known to attack, being careful of the time of day they swim, and avoiding murky water.
Do you see how the first is more general and the last is more specific?
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16. Other Ways to Summarize the Essay's Main Points:
 Refer briefly to the topic of each paragraph you wrote. 
 Leave readers with something to think about.
 Suggest something readers can do about what they've just read.
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17. How to Structure the Final Paragraph
1. Topic sentence: repeat the ideas in your thesis statement, but with deeper understanding
2. Supporting sentences: summarize the main points in the body of your essay
3. Closing sentence: connect back to the introduction to "clinch" the ideas in the essay, showing their importance
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18. The conclusion paragraph is not the place to introduce new information or make points about the topic. Summarize what you’ve already said.

19. Strategies for Ending the Concluding Paragraph:
1. Perhaps add a quotation or surprising insight from the materials you researched.
2. Suggest some action to take or a solution to an issue.
3. Bring up questions for further study.
4. Point out broader consequences of the points you've made.
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20. Think about it… Does your introduction have a “hook”
Does it start out general and then get specific?
How will you conclude your essay?
What are the most important points you want to reiterate?
How will you leave your reader?