There is no better way to engage the readers in your story than appealing to a working writing technique. Hooks for essays serve as that magnet that attracts the attention of the audience and makes them want to keep reading.
There is a massive collection of articles and study guides that provide you with all the possible information on the topic. The biggest disadvantage they have is the lack of examples. It is easy to give some tips on starting an essay with a first-person story.
But how a student is supposed to know what is the best way to present that personal narrative? We’ll try to give you some practical tips with real xamples in this article.
Problem of Excessive Information
The abundance of information available to us everywhere in the world of the 21st century can be not only beneficial but rather confusing. It helps people a lot in finding the facts they need but also floods their minds with unnecessary data.
The ability to filter the information that surrounds us is an important skill nowadays. This is why it is a right decision to stop reading the article or book you don’t like. You can definitely spend it more effectively reading something exciting.
Every modern author fights for the attention of readers and tries to come up with an interesting and non-trivial approach to writing. College is the best time for experimenting with your writing style and discovering your own voice. Hooks for essays are a great mean of letting the readers know that this particular story is worth their time.
The type of an essay hook you use depends on the kind of essay you are writing. The only thing you need to remember is that the option you choose should be relevant and appropriate. For instance, if you are writing about the tragedy of the World War I, including an anecdote in the introduction might be not the best idea. Make the hook look natural in the context. Don’t use any hook just for the sake of it.
Focus on the thesis statement. There has to be a smooth transition from the hook you choose to it. Your audience has to have a clear understanding of what the text is going to be about and make the decision whether to keep reading it or not.
Essay Hook Type |
Example |
|
Surprising information |
70% of murders in Detroit go unsolved. |
|
Contradiction |
“Men work together whether they work together or apart.” – Robert Frost |
|
Facts |
Bill Clinton sent a total of 2 emails during his presidency. |
|
Anecdote |
Did you hear about a new restaurant on the Moon? The food is great but there’s just no atmosphere. |
|
Dilemma |
You know that saving the life of 1 individual will lead to the deaths of 4 other people. Would you still save that individual or not? |
|
Quote |
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry |
|
Question |
Is the modern educational system effective? |
|
Story |
When I was a kid I wanted to have a telescope but my family could not afford buying it. I decided that in the future I will be able to have the access to the best one in the world. I worked hard, got a scholarship and nailed the interview for my dream job. |
|
Metaphor |
“But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet, the sun!” – Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. |
|
Definition |
Science is knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method |
It is also important to choose a hook that is appropriate for your particular paper. For instance, if you are writing a paper on history about the tragedy of a civil war, it is probably not a good idea to start off with an anecdote. Focus on the mood you want to create with your paper. Is it going to be a funny essay with lots of metaphors, irony, etc. or you want your story to sound as dramatic as possible? Make sure you have a specific plan for organizing the information.
One more point is that there is a high risk of overdoing it. Do not try to put a hook in every paragraph of your essay. This approach will not result in an essay that is interesting and easy to read. You will just bombard your reader with random phrases that will not bring anything new to the context. Remember that you use hooks to intrigue the reader not to scare them off with the massive number of facts. No matter what kind of hooks you are going to use, the most important thing is to make your essay sound appealing. Do not give up if you do not succeed all at once.
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