A hook – this magic word makes trembling lots of students once they are assigned an essay no matter what type it is. A hook is the first thing that grabs the attention of your reader, and it is the first step to the success of your essay.
Without a great and memorable hook, it is impossible to impress your reader and make him want to read your paper till the end. A good hook is also a guarantee of high grades for you. However, how to make the first part your essay intriguing?
This is the question that bothers students of all times. Engaging your audience is an art, and not everyone can master it. However, don’t worry, you shouldn’t be a professional writer to spark the curiosity of your readers.
You can simply read all our tips and trick on how to write a good hook for your essay with examples, and you will be able to easily to it on your own.
What is a hook in an essay?
So, what a hook, actually, is? An essay hook is the first thing you read when you see someone’s essay. This is a piece of writing that catches the attention of the reader and gives him an overall impression, intrigue about your essay.
Once your reader saw the hook, he or she decides whether your paper is worthy of keeping reading it or not. Now it is clear that not every sentence would make one want to read your essay. It should be really something special.
People get so much information from reading. The competition is very high, so to say. When you browse the internet and see an intriguing headline, you want to open and read that article. The same is with your essay – if your hook was interesting enough, your essay would be successful.
Of course, your professor will read your essay till the end in any case to evaluate it. But if your introduction was boring, you won’t get a high grade. So a good hook is a half success for any essay.
Types of essay hooks
The good news is that a hook can be different – whatever your creativity and fantasy wishes. Your opportunities are endless; you just should know how to use them.
Below, you will find the information on the types of hooks for different essays. You can choose the one that is the most suitable for your paper at the moment.
A fact/statistics
Starting your essay with a shocking fact is always winning. However, the fact has to be 100% verified, proven, and not known to your audience.
- For example, Around 3 billion people live in poverty in the 21st century.
Advice
Your essay can also benefit if you provide helpful advice to your reader at the very beginning. Keep in mind the information should be valued and appreciated by your reader. Avoid giving useless advice.
- For example, It is better to do something and regret than regret not doing it.
Contradiction
People love contradictory statements. Two contradictory facts will surely be eye-catching for your audience.
- For example, This is the beginning of the end.
Strong statement
Surprisingly, people with something they do not know yet are also very beneficial.
- For example, Antibiotic resistance may kill 300 million people by 2050.
Anecdote
Starting your introduction with a good anecdote is ice-braking. People love reading jokes. However, make sure this anecdote relates to the context of your paper.
- For example, Albert Einstein didn’t start talking when the kids of his age already did. His parents were concerned about it until one day when he said while having his supper: “The soup is too hot.” At a loss, his parents asked why he had kept silent until that moment. Albert replied: “Because until now, everything was ok.”
Definition
If you are working on your scientific paper, it is a very good way to start it. Just provide a definition of a concept or term.
- For example, White noise is a heterogeneous mixture of sound waves extending over a wide frequency range.
Famous quote
You should not even do anything and be creative. Just take a famous quote and write it as the beginning of your essay. Once again, make sure its content is related to the concept of your paper.
- For example, if you judge people, you have no time to love them – Mother Teresa.
Dilemma
The dilemma is an exceptional way of starting your introduction. It is always winning and will definitely grab the attention of your readers. The reason for it is that the reader immediately starts thinking about what he just read. Provide two options, both of which are not desirable.
- For example, Would you save the lives of three people by not helping one person to save his?
Interesting fact
When researching your topic, you usually find lots of different facts related to it. You can use them as evidence in your main body. But you can also turn one of them into a good hook.
- For example, Water can boil and freeze at the same time.
Rhetorical question
This is a very good way to start your introduction. Just like a dilemma, it makes people think about your topic. They will also reflect. Just recall Shakespeare’s “to be or not to be” question – people do not stop thinking on it for ages.
- For example, What is the purpose of people on our planet?
Metaphor
A metaphor is a great way to create a picture for your reader. Make sure it to have a relation to your topic.
- For example, Her eyes were like two deep oceans drowning me.
First-person story
You can even share a story from your personal life and use it as a hook for your essay. Of course, if you want people to know about it and only if it is a true story. You should be genuine in your essay.
- For example, My dog, who was my best friend for 15 years, passed away a year ago.
How to write a good hook
Of course, your first task is to understand what kind of paper you write. You should realize that not every hook works with any kind of essay. Necessary to define the type of your essay and understand whether it is formal or creative, definition, analytical, argumentative, persuasive essay, etc. Before you start working on it, use the following tips:
- Define the type of your essay, what you are writing about, and the purpose of your essay. Learn more about each of the types;
- Pick your style and do not decline from it not to sound unprofessional;
- Think of your potential reader. Your vocabulary and word choice will depend on your target audience. If you write for children, do not use formal language or unknown terms, etc.;
- Write an outline first. An outline is a crucial stage when writing an essay. It will help you structure your essay properly and see what you should improve;
- Write your hook the last. We recommend working on your introduction after you finish your body paragraphs. This way, you will create a strong argument.
We hope these tips will help you create a strong and intriguing hook for your essay. Remember that not every hook-type can be used for all essays. Keep in mind the peculiarities of each of the types.
A hook may take some time, even more than the rest of your essay, so do not hurry up with it. But if you feel like you lack the time or do not have skills to create an eye-catching hook, you can entrust your paper to professional writers who will surely meet the demands of your reader.
