Do It Right: How to Write Hooks for Essay
Publication Date:
When people write an essay, they think it is some sort of academic paper. You may keep thinking so, but essay writing is flexible. It should not be too formal. There are many ways to start an essay. But you should think it over. The beginning is essential. You have to grab people’s attention, otherwise they won’t read further.
In fact, hooks are a usual thing in different kinds of writing. Just remember the last book you have read. The first sentence is always important because it has to make you interested. If not, the rest of writing has no point.
It may be even more difficult to begin when you don’t know exactly what you are going to write about. Every essay is different in style and mood. You don’t want to write an inappropriate hook for your paper. Let’s check some ideas for one then.
- Literary quotation
If your essay is about a book or an author, it would be fine if you use some literary quotation. First of all, because it will be most appropriate.
- Quotation of a famous person
Famous people have lots of fans (that’s why they are famous, actually). So, mentioning some words they said sometime can attract the reader’s attention.
- Anecdote
People usually think there should not be any humor in papers. They are right if we are talking about academic papers. But humor in an essay is acceptable. A funny story from your life can be a great start. It might make reading a bit easier and joyful.
- Question
Frankly speaking, it is one of the best hooks. You begin your essay with a question. So people will keep reading to find out the answer. Besides, you can raise even bigger interest by dropping some clues or more riddles in the text.
- Scene
You can describe a scene from a real life or make up one so the reader can imagine how the situation may look like. It will help them dive deeper into your writing.
- Interesting fact
It must be the most popular hook ever. How many articles have you read that start with ‘Do you know that…’ Typical but effective. A person cannot know everything. And they may not know what you are about to talk. Just one tiny tip: find something little known and very interesting.
- Right from the start
It means you can start your essay with what you are going to write about. You write a thesis statement and then go right to the arguments. One thing to pay attention to: don’t be boring. Make people interested.
- Common misconception
There is so much information in the world that we stopped checking whether everything we hear, see, or read about is true. Some things remain the same for us, and we believe they are the way we think they are. Say that something is in fact false and then, most importantly, prove it.
- Statistics
Yes, people need statistics. Because statistics show the real state of things in life. And only statistics can reveal the level of a problem you would like to speak on.
That would be all on ideas. But you should remember that every type of essay should have a respective hook. For instance, statistics would fit best for an analytical essay, and you don’t want to start one with a quote from a celebrity. Always pay attention to what you write.