1. The Hook An effective tool for catching your reader’s attention

2. Purpose for a hook It piques curiosity, sets the tone, focuses attention, and establishes voice.

3. Types of “Hooks” A thought-provoking question An informative quotation A significant fact or statistic An engaging anecdote

4. Example topic What do you believe is the best television show in history?

5. A thoughtful question Have you ever laughed, cried, and understood what it meant to be a true “friend,” all in the same half hour?

6. Using an informative quotation According to Devyalento Latchford Deschanel, “Friends is a fantastic sitcom, probably the best of the 1990's. It is smart, snappy, colorful and brimming with funny lines and excellent plots” (qtd. in imdb.com)

7. Significant Fact or Statistic “Friends” will forever go down in history as one of the longest-running sitcoms on network television.

8. An engaging anecdote I leaped over a puddle, umbrella in hand, as I charged for the door of my dorm room. Pausing briefly in the foyer, searching for my keys, I glanced at my watch: 6:59 P.M. “What was I going to do if I was late,” I thought to myself. Luckily, my key worked on the first try and I charged into my dorm room, found the remote, and turned on the television. As the faces of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, and Joey flashed across the screen, I breathed a sigh of relief. I had made it in time. Thank God.

9. Now…..it is your turn!!! Directions: In groups, you are going to come up with an effective hook. Here is your prompt: Lakes High School is considering adopting a policy, which would require all students to wear uniforms. Write a persuasive essay that takes one side of this issue.