A Hook for an Essay

A Good Hook for an Essay

A good hook is attention-grabbing, relevant to the essay's topic, and appropriate for the writer's purpose. Let's take a close look at the different features of a good hook.

A Good Hook Is Attention-grabbing

Imagine you are scrolling through your email inbox. The "preview" feature shows the first sentence of each email. Why? Because the first sentence of the email is an important one! It shows you whether the email is worth reading. You use these "previews" to decide whether you want to open that email.

Think of the hook as that preview. The reader will use it to decide whether they want to read more.

A good Hook Is Relevant

Have you ever clicked on an article with an intriguing title only to learn that title was misleading? Misleading openers frustrate readers. Sure, it gets them interested. But it doesn't get them interested in the right thing.

A Good Hook Suits Your Purpose

What type of hook you use depends on the purpose of your essay.

A good hook puts the reader in the right mindset to receive your ideas.

5 Types of Hooks For Writing an Essay

The five types of hooks are questions, facts or statistics, strong statements, stories or scenes, and questions.

Four of them are as follows. The final one, "quotes," deserves its own spot! Examples are provided.

Questions for an Essay Hook

Another way to get a reader's attention is to ask an interesting question. This could be a rhetorical question or a question you answer in the essay.

Rhetorical questions help the reader personally connect to your topic. Here's an example.

You can also ask a question you will answer in the essay. This type of question interests the reader because they want to know the answer. They have to read the rest of your essay to get it! Here's an example of that.

Fig. 2 - Give your reader something to think about.

Facts for an Essay Hook

Did you know we create data every second of every day? By searching the web and using social media, we generate facts and statistics. Did that opener grab your attention? That's because it included a surprising fact.

When writing a hook, you can use a fact or statistic that is:

• Relevant to your topic.
• Shocking enough to get the reader's attention.
• A good demonstration of your topic's importance.

Stories for an Essay Hook

What better way to catch someone's attention than with a good story? Stories are great for getting the reader to think about an experience. Stories can come from anywhere!

Some places you might find stories for hooks are:

• Your personal experiences.
• Experiences of your friends and family members.
• Stories from books, tv, and film.
• Stories of famous people.

Which type of story you choose depends on your essay. What story would help the reader care about your subject? Here's an example of a story hook for an essay.

Fig. 3 - Share something you know well.

Sometimes a whole story is too much for a hook. In this case, you may find it helpful to simply describe one scene from a story. A vivid description of a scene can be very powerful. When describing a scene, paint a picture of what the scene is like for the reader. Make them feel as if they are there.

Here's an example of a great scene to start an essay.

Strong Statements for an Essay Hook

Sometimes it's best to say what you mean upfront. A strong statement is a statement that takes a strong stance on an issue. Strong statements are particularly effective to argue a position or persuade.

The reader will either agree or disagree with your statement. That's okay! If the reader disagrees, they will at least be interested to see how you support your statement.

Quotes For an Essay Hook

The fifth and final way to write a hook way is to use a quote.

When to Use a Quote Hook

Use a quote for a hook in the following situations:

• When your topic or argument makes you think of a quote
• When someone else has already summed up your main idea perfectly
• When an example from a text you are analyzing perfectly sums up your analysis

Examples of Quote Hooks

There are a few types of quotes you can use for a hook. Let's look at some examples of the different types of quotes in the table below:

Ways to Write an Essay Hook

To write a hook for an essay, consider your purpose, look for what's out there, and try different things. When writing a hook, there are a lot of options. Don't get overwhelmed! Take the following approaches:

Consider Your Essay's Purpose

What effect do you want to have on the reader? What do you want the reader to think or feel about your subject? Choose a hook that will give you that effect.

For example, if you want the reader to understand what an experience is like, tell a story. If you want the reader to feel the urgency of an issue, start with a surprising fact or statistic that demonstrates how important the topic is.

Fig. 4 - Is time running out? Let your reader know.

Look for What's Out There

Sometimes the perfect quote or story instantly comes to mind. Sometimes it does not. Don't be afraid to look! Use the internet, books, and friends to find ideas for hooks.

For example, let's say you are writing an essay arguing that teachers need better pay. You could look for stories of teachers who pay for their own supplies. Or if you are explaining the effects of hallucinogens, look for quotes from people who have experienced them.

Try Different Things

Can't decide what to do? Try out different types of hooks! See what works best. Remember, the best writing comes from trial and error. Here's an example.

¹ Elie Weisel. “One Must Not Forget.” US News & World Report. 1986.

² Carrie Underwood. "Carrie Underwood: What I've Learned," Esquire. 2009.

³ American Civil Liberties Union. "The Case Against the Death Penalty." 2012.