Introduction Hooks: (another area to consider in global revision)

General Hooks (p.26 in RR) The purpose of a hook is to draw your reader in to what you have to say. You don't want the hook to sound too broad and anonymous. 

***A conscientious, intelligent writer is going to interrogate his or her hook (and his or her whole introduction) after writing a draft and finding out exactly what content shows up in their essay.

• For each of the below: the power and relevance of a hook can come by looking at what you've written. Logically: you understand what shows up in the essay, which lets you know what should show up in the introduction.

You want to one of the general hooks below in a creative, but thesis-connected way: 

1. Relevant quote

• From the subject of your essay (the 'event' and lesson), or
• Something said about your subject that relates to your idea, or
• Something you said (real or imagined) about the person

2. Personal anecdote with relevance to thesis

• Perhaps, you can use one you can come back to?
• Perhaps, something about you that illustrates how much you needed a hero
• Or, something about you that illustrates how you've moved on from the person because of your realization

3. Provocative and relevant question

• Something specific asked about how the specific event changes a person
• Common question about the event...

4. Specific Example that fit your subject (perhaps one you will actually bring back and expand on later in your body)

• Perhaps a fact (#5) about the subject event or lesson learned. 

5. Relevant fact: particularly one that sets the tone and allows you to explore the fact specifically as it relates to your thesis.

• State (and even provide your stance on) statistics about the event that will get attention of readers. 

• State something about the time/setting and how it relates to the event's importance as a subject

Drafting an Introduction

1. Have, at the minimum, your thesis and subtopics drafted and outlined; these ideas are your map directions! 

• Since you've got a whole draft (or should by this point), you've got an introduction to interrogate, to re-envision and better. 

2. Decide which type of hook most interests you. Do some brainstorming that helps you (including, looking on the Internet for a relevant quote or fact to help you out)

3. Once you have the type of hook you want and have some content to work with, start drafting your introduction paragraph (

• Aim for around 6-8 solid sentences, or
• 1/3 to 1/2 a page at most of first page for 450 word essays

Once I find my hook, I can draft my introduction

• When using a quote or a fact, it is good to start your hook off with a phrase that introduces where that quote/fact is coming from:

• (subject of essay/author source) once said, "..."

• According to ________, ...

• Or...try out your own introductory phrase that gives context to the quote/hook!