When a student is asked to introduce themselves, they will often state their name and age. However, imagine that you are trying to present an essay or presentation to a crowd of people. If you start with a generic, “Hi my name is”, how likely would people be willing to listen to you?
An important part of essay writing is crafting an essay introduction, and like catching a fish, you need to use hooks to reel people in and captivate them into reading the rest of your essay.
There are 5 hooks which we will discuss in today’s article that will ensure that you engage your reader in a charming and charismatic manner, and they are: (1) the anecdotal hook, (2) the statistical hook, (3) the question hook, (4) the quotation hook, and (5) the description hook.
1. Anecdotal Hook
Have you ever been at a family reunion, hearing relatives telling funny stories about their experiences throughout the years? These personal stories are what anecdotes are, and using one of these at the beginning of your essay could engage the reader. Anecdotes should be short, personal stories which grab the reader’s attention by creating an emotional connection.
Here is an example of an anecdote:
This anecdote sets the context of the essay, which means that any anecdote you use in the introduction should be relevant to the essay question. By including a relevant and relatable anecdote in the essay introduction, you can instantly draw readers into your story as they will be interested in finding out what happens to the character in the anecdote.
2. Statistical Hook
The statistical hook is useful when answering argumentative and expository essay questions. The statistical hook should be based on real facts, and students will need to be well read (do NOT make your own statistics up!) to execute the statistical hook in your introduction.
Here is an example of a statistic:
Statistics and data are powerful tools which summarise data from all around the world and make predictions about what is likely to happen in the future. Be sure to get your data from reliable and reputable sources and choose simple statistics to remember. These statistics should implant a powerful message in the reader’s mind. In the above example, people reading this will feel worried about their future and will be likely to pay attention to what you have to say.
The statistic should also be relevant and highlight the significance of the essay topic at hand. Students can pique readers’ curiosity and set the stage for their essay by writing a thought-provoking statistic in their introduction, and this will be a bonus especially when the statistic itself is evidence for their stance in the argumentative essay.
3. Question Hook
The question hook technique involves posing a compelling question at the start of the essay to make readers exercise their critical thinking abilities.
Here is an example of a good, thought-provoking question:
When readers read such a question, their mind will immediately leap into imagination mode, going wild with the thoughts of unbridled power that comes with being God for a day. This question hook also draws readers into the essay as they would want to read about your perspective and search for the answer to the question in the body of the essay.
As with all these hooks, the question should be relevant to the topic of the essay. Students should come up with an impossible premise which we all like to think about in the shower or in our spare time, such as what we would do if we had a million dollars, or all the time in the world, or how it would be like if we could live another life. These questions will stimulate the reader’s thought processes and make them interested in what you have to say further.
4. Quotation Hook
The quotation hook involves a noteworthy statement said by someone who has made a positive influence on society. These quotes should be real and not made up, and will require the student to be well-read to pull it off. Look for quotes by individuals who have had a positive contribution on society, which means that students will need to go beyond looking at YouTube videos of various social media stars and celebrities to get good quotes.
5. Description Hook
Have you ever heard the saying, “a picture paints a thousand words”? Well, the description hook is exactly like painting a verbal picture. By engaging the audience with a story, preferably started in media res (in the middle of the action), you can ensure that the audience will want to read the rest of what you have to say to figure out what you meant by your description hook.
To conclude, the choice of hook depends on the essay genre and question topics. Students should experiment with different hooks and choose the one which best suits their purpose.
Tips for Writing Good Essay Introductions
i. Firstly, keep the introduction concise. Make sure your hook is brief and impactful, setting the stage for the rest of your essay.
ii. Connect the hook to the essay question by ensuring that the hook is relevant to your essay’s main argument or thesis statement.
iii. Revise and refine your hook. Ensure that your introduction flows smoothly and engages the reader from the start.
Remember – it takes time to practice writing good introductions. Don’t haphazardly memorise hooks you read in model essays. Instead, take the time to come up with your own creative hooks, as this will get your imagination going and eventually make you a better writer.
Improve Your Essay Writing Skills with WR!TERS@WORK!
At WR!TERS@WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams at both primary and secondary school levels. With our carefully curated methods of teaching English for PSLE, O Levels, and A Levels, your child will be able to identify the answers to the questions and present them in a concise manner in no time.
English is a compulsory subject that has direct impact on your chances of getting the best education opportunities. Overall, English tuition and writing courses can help primary school students enjoy a smoother transition between education levels by reinforcing their language skills and providing a strong foundation for academic success.
Engaging in English tuition and writing courses can greatly assist students in smoothly transitioning between education levels. These programs reinforce their language skills and establish a solid foundation for academic achievement. For more exam tips, parents and students can explore our website and watch our YouTube videos.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. Is It Possible to Fail O Level English?
It is possible to fail O Level English, which is the minimum requirement to further your education in a Junior College. O Level English is a compulsory subject and every student must pass this subject if they want to have a good prospect of further education.
2. How to Improve English for O Level?
First, students should look at practice workbooks for O Level English and ascertain what they need to know about the exam format. Next, students should practice with these past year papers to get used to the skills required of them. Lastly, students should learn how to write essays and combine all the technical aspects of the English language, such as grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation to create an essay which is greater than the sum of its parts.
3. Is It Hard to Pass O Levels?
