1. HOOKS Grab your reader’s attention!

2. Vivid Description WRONG – “TELLS” I grew tired after dinner. CORRECT – “SHOWS” As I leaned back and rested my head against the top of the chair, my eyelids began to feel heavy, and the edges of the empty plate in front of me blurred with the white tablecloth.

3. Vivid Description (contin.) Planning your vivid description: What or who do you want to describe? What is your reason for writing your description? What are the particular qualities that you want to focus on? Best way to “show” reader – 5 senses sight sound smell touch taste

4. Anecdote Criteria Brief – 1-2 sentences Relevant to topic Entertaining Can involve quotes Example My grandfather preached paying kindnesses forward. “Don’t ever just take, take, take. Give back to someone one day what’s been given to you.” THESIS…

5. Rhetorical Question Criteria Thoughtful – no “yes” or “no” questions; use WWWWWH? Does not require an answer Example What would the world be like without hatred? Who would replace all the teachers in the world? How would children survive without the help of loving parents?

6. Definitions Criteria WARNING: Can be boring and not hook reader Use only if you can make entertaining/relevant Example If the definition of peace is “the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world,” humanity should reconsider its definition of “normal.”

7. Similes and Metaphors SIMILE Life, he realize, was much like a song. Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re going to get. METAPHOR Life is a three-ring circus. Life is a minefield. Life is a roller coaster. Life is a puzzle. Comparisons used to make writing more vivid and interesting to read. These show your writing as having a signature style.

8. Humor Criteria Sarcasm Hyphenated Modifiers Humorous Anecdote Examples Sarcasm must come from you/be your voice or sense of humor. HM- My do-it-my-way- or-it’s-wrong older sister means well, but she can be a bit controlling. HA- Falling face-first into a mud puddle is no way to start the day, but…

9. Quote- Using the words of another to emphasize your point. Usually spoken by someone well know, or even close to you. Can be lyrics, but use wisely. No foul or inappropriate subrjects. “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney My mother once told me that “hard work is a better indicator of success than a ton of money.”

10. Fact or Statistic Criteria WARNING: Can be boring and not hook reader Use only if you can make entertaining/relevant Use only if TRUE; DO NOT make them up Example Over six million people died as a result of the Holocaust. Such-and-Such professional athlete makes over $12M annually.

11. Independent Practice Read the following prompt and create a hook that will grab your reader’s attention. Choose 3. Prompt : “Recently, fast food workers started rallying in Seattle, WA demanding the minimum wage increase for fast food workers to $15/hr. Do you agree or disagree with this wage increase? Why or why not?”