Hooks and Thesis Statements

Hooks

What are hooks? •Get readers attention in the first

sentence•What kind of hooks are there?

• Questions• Facts/Statistics/Statements• Something that evokes controversy• Keywords -> Computers threaten

Hooks• Questions• Have you ever felt like a total outsider?• Are you afraid of the dark?

•INTERESTING Facts/Statistics• Each year Disneyland uses over 5,000 gallons of paint to

maintain the clean appearance of the park. • Forty-eight percent of people report lying awake at night due

to stress.

HOOKS

Evokes Controversy• Prayer should be allowed in public schools.

Keywords• Have you ever considered… that computers

threaten democracy?

Thesis Statements

What are they?• Difference between a topic and a thesis statement?• Topic: subject of the essay• Thesis Statement: the writers position about the topic

• Look at the last two sentences of the introduction to “Against E-Voting” (pg. 2)

• Why isn’t the second to last sentence a thesis statement?

Thesis statements

Example• Topic• subject of your essay

• Controlling Idea• what you want to say about the subject

Page 5 in your book

My favorite author is Bryce Courtenay because he creates vivid worlds with realistic characters.

Peer Editing• Not editing for grammar. Editing for content.

• Be polite and honest! • Listen to the entire piece before commenting on any section.

Don’t interrupt.

Peer Editor

WRITER1. Read your paragraph out loud to your partner. 2. Put it down when you are finished. EDITOR3. Give praise for what works. Be specific.4. Give suggestions for revision. Be specific. 5. Listen for:

1. Hook (is it effective?)2. Background Info 3. Thesis Statement (is it clear what the paper will be about?)4. Overall: Is it interesting? Is it organized?

Homework

Revise your introduction• Add any information/content that your editor

recommended.• Bring another draft of your introduction to class on

Thursday.

Mind Map of Essay• Create a mind map of your essay. • Bring it to class on Thursday