The Hook
Nonetheless, all hooks must raise questions. For instance, if I write,
I like to visit New York for three reasons"
you wonder what the reasons are. If I start, Wouldn't you like to visit New York, the answer might be, No," so that's not a very effective hook.
Whatever you use, it must be powerful, unique and unexpected. You may have to do research before writing your hook. Some example of hooks, with what I consider the best first:
Anecdote:
If you use an anecdote, it must be extremely specific. If I write,
Thousands of people are starving in Calcutta
it's less powerful than if I write
On the sidewalk in front of my apartment in a middle-class section of Calcutta lay a young woman in a fetal position starving to death.
Readers want to know: Who is this woman? How did she get there? Why isn't she eating?
Statistics:
A powerful statistic often makes a good hook, something like:
The suicide rate of Korean teenagers is higher than that of any other nationality, with more than 15 suicides every minute.."
Why? The readers wants to know.
Quote:
A quote from a historical figure can also be used, but it needs to be unique and powerful, such as:
"The leading cause of death is birth" -- Lewis Lapham.,
This might be on an essay about irrational fears about lethal diseases.
Questions:
I believe question "hooks" are overrated, a bit lazy and should be avoided.
If you use an anecdote, it must be extremely specific. If I write,
Thousands of people are starving in Calcutta
it's less powerful than if I write
On the sidewalk in front of my apartment in a middle-class section of Calcutta lay a young woman in a fetal position starving to death.
Readers want to know: Who is this woman? How did she get there? Why isn't she eating?
Statistics:
A powerful statistic often makes a good hook, something like:
The suicide rate of Korean teenagers is higher than that of any other nationality, with more than 15 suicides every minute.."
Why? The readers wants to know.
Quote:
A quote from a historical figure can also be used, but it needs to be unique and powerful, such as:
"The leading cause of death is birth" -- Lewis Lapham.,
This might be on an essay about irrational fears about lethal diseases.
Questions:
I believe question "hooks" are overrated, a bit lazy and should be avoided.
