If you’re havin’ essay problems, I feel bad for you, son. I got 99 problems but a hook ain’t one.
I don’t have a hook problem, aside from the sick pleasure I glean from mangling popular song lyrics to suit my purpose, nor does Jay Z, if all those platinum albums are to be believed.
But if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you are struggling to write a hook sentence. Luckily, I’m here to help you solve your problem.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. First of all, what is a hook sentence, and why does a good hook sentence matter so much?
A hook sentence is a meaty opening line (or two) that grabs your reader’s attention and makes the rest of your essay (or article or letter or any piece of writing) irresistible.
Let’s try a thought experiment: Pretend you’re introducing a friend to your favorite restaurant. Now imagine that the cool fountain out front is gone, all the decor has been stripped from the interior, and there are no enticing smells to greet you at the front door.
The experience of eating there is totally different — and I dare say a little boring — when there’s nothing appealing about the first impression, right? Your friend would probably be baffled by the appeal and may not even want to sit down, even if the grub itself is fantastic.
An essay without a good hook sentence, no matter how well-written, is kind of like that drab restaurant. No matter how good the rest of the essay is, it’s essential that the first line whets the reader’s appetite.
So to help you understand what a hook sentence is and how to write one, I’ve created an infographic that is all about hook sentences. This handy guide includes loads of helpful information:
- Questions to help you identify your audience. Do they have to read your writing, or do you have to work extra-hard to convince them to read it?
- Questions about your purpose for writing. Are you trying to inform, motivate, or entertain your reader?
- Hook writing tips and approaches. This includes several hook writing strategies, so you can pick the right one to suit your audience and purpose.
- Hook sentence examples. Each type of hook sentence is accompanied by an example so that you can see how these sentences might look at the beginning of a real-life essay.
So without further ado, check out the “What Is a Hook Sentence?” infographic, and be sure to read How to Write Good Hook Sentences for additional guidance.
What Is a Hook Sentence? (Infographic)
