Same Writing › Building paragraphs › Hooks
What is a hook in writing?
A hook is the first sentence or two of a piece of writing, meant to grab the reader. Teachers usually teach five kinds: a question, a surprising fact, a saying or quote, a short story, and a bold statement. After the hook comes the topic or thesis.
- Five types to choose from.
- The hook leads into the topic sentence or thesis.
- Pick the one that fits the topic, not the flashiest.
Why schools teach it
Introductions are graded too
Kids are asked to introduce a topic clearly (W.4.2a, W.6.2a) and to introduce claims in argument writing (W.6.1a). A hook is the part of the introduction that makes the reader care.
Naming five types gives kids choices instead of a blank page, and it moves them past “Hi, my name is...” and “This essay is about...”
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
Which kind of hook fits this topic best?
What's the most surprising thing you learned?
Fact hookWhat question would make a reader curious?
Question hookDoes your hook lead into your main idea?
Skip this
- “Hi, my name is...” or “This essay is about...”Teachers usually mark these down.
- A hook with nothing to do with the topic.It should point toward the main idea.
- Questions that are easy to answer “no.”“Do you like dogs?” can end the reading. Try a curious one.
See it in action
Five hooks for an essay on sleep
Question and fact
What if you could be smarter just by going to bed earlier? While you sleep, your brain stores what you learned that day.Saying and story
As the saying goes, “Early to bed, early to rise.” Last week, I fell asleep in math class.Bold statement
Sleep is the most important homework you have.
Facts in a hook need to be true. Kids can pull them from their research or the text.
Free practice sheet
Make a hooks sheet
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Parents also ask
How long is a hook?
One or two sentences. Then the introduction moves to the topic or thesis.
Can a hook be a famous quote?
Yes, if it's accurate and credited. A well-known saying works too.
Which hook is best?
The one that fits. A fact for science topics, a story for personal topics, a bold statement for opinions.
Do stories have hooks?
Yes. In narratives it's called a lead: dialogue, action or a sound to start.