Writing Leads & Hooks

The possibilities are endless…remember, it’s YOUR craft!

BANNED!!!!

►“Hi, my name is _______, …”

►“I’m going to tell you about…”

►Have you ever _____? Well, I have!”

►DO NOT EVER USE THESE!! EVER!!

Your Introduction MUST include:

►Something to grab the attention of your reader…a “lead” or “hook.”

►A way to transition from the ‘hook’ to the thesis.

►A thesis statement—a statement that tells the reader your focus for writing (but does not state, “I’m going to tell you about…” It’s what the WHOLE paper is about.

► It MAY include a brief statement of the global ideas you’ll use to support your thesis (but it does not REQUIRE this)

Descriptive Lead►Grandma's cookie jar must be empty

again, I thought to myself as I opened the front door of the house where she'd lived for over fifty years. Sure, my grandma has always been an excellent cook, and knows how to make the BEST cookies, but there are other attributes that make her a great person. It is these other attributes, such as her generosity and spirituality, that make me admire her.

Descriptive Lead►Grandma's cookie jar must be empty again, I thought to myself as I opened the front door of the house where she'd lived for over fifty years. Sure, my grandma has always been an excellent cook, and knows how to make the BEST cookies, but there are other attributes that make her a great person. It is these other attributes, such as her generosity and spirituality, that make me admire her.

Compare/Contrast

►When most people think of American Staffordshire Terrier, they picture a solid, slobbering, mean, and perhaps, vicious, dog. When I think of the Staffordshire Terrier, I picture my neighbor’s dog, Buster, riding down the road in the back of a golf cart. While many believe Staffordshire Terriers are mean and vicious, if well-trained, can truly be man’s best, and most loyal friend.

Compare/ContrastWhen most people think of American Staffordshire Terrier, they picture a solid, slobbering, mean, and perhaps, vicious, dog. When I think of the Staffordshire Terrier, I picture my neighbor’s dog, Buster, riding down the road in the back of a golf cart. While many believe Staffordshire Terriers are mean and vicious, if well-trained, can truly be man’s best, and most loyal friend.

Quotation (direct or indirect)

►My grandma always said that it wasn’t an apple a day that kept you healthy and happy, but a fresh batch of cookies made just for you. While grandma may have been wrong in thinking cookies were good for you, she certainly wasn’t incorrect in believe how the love and support of family can keep you both physically and mentally healthy.

Quotation (direct or indirect)

►My grandma always said that it wasn’t an apple a day that kept you healthy and happy, but a fresh batch of cookies made just for you. While grandma may have been wrong in thinking cookies were good for you, she certainly wasn’t incorrect in believe how the love and support of family can keep you both physically and mentally healthy.

Ask a Question (be careful with this one)

►Have you ever listened to your mom ask you over and over and over to clean your room? As a teenager, you probably think your mom’s request is nothing but a nagging pain in your backside. However, the responsibility of keeping one’s room clean can lead teens to having higher self-esteem and stronger organizational skills. Certainly these are both great reasons to insist on bedroom cleanliness.

Ask a question►How many times has your mom asked you to clean your room? As a teenager, you probably think your mom’s request is nothing but a nagging pain in your backside. However, the responsibility of keeping one’s room clean can lead teens to having higher self-esteem and stronger organizational skills. Certainly these are both great reasons to insist on bedroom cleanliness.

Flashback Lead

►Hair dye is a very difficult thing to look at without either shedding a few tears or stopping and thinking about my hair dye filled summer. Sometimes I wish I could erase the memory, but at other times I can do nothing but cherish all the memories of that crazy, and colorful summer with Radah.

Flashback Lead

Hair dye is a very difficult thing to look at without either shedding a few tears or stopping and thinking about my hair dye filled summer. Sometimes I wish I could erase the memory, but at other times I can do nothing but cherish all the memories of that crazy, and colorful summer with Radah.

Foreshadow/Hint to the future

►When he told me the story about how his drill instructor called him “Alphabet,” I should have know then that marrying him would lead to a life full of unexpected surprises. Becoming Mrs. Schwertfeger certainly has been an excitement-filled ride.

Foreshadow/Hint to the Future

►When he told me the story about how his drill instructor called him “Alphabet,” I should have know then that marrying him would lead to a life full of unexpected surprises. Becoming Mrs. Schwertfeger certainly has been an excitement-filled ride.

Shocking Detail/Weird Fact

►According to statistics from the Automobile Association of America, seven out of every ten wrecks on suburban streets was caused by elderly citizen drivers. Obviously, we must create laws that require senior citizen drivers to prove their abilities behind the wheel once they reach a specific age.

Shocking Detail/Weird Fact

►According to statistics from the Automobile Association of America, seven out of every ten wrecks on suburban streets was caused by elderly citizen drivers. Obviously, we must create laws that require senior citizen drivers to prove their abilities behind the wheel once they reach a specific age.