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Hooks:

Grab the Reader’s Attention!

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What are hooks?!?

  • Hooks should HOOK THE READER’S ATTENTION in creative writing!
  • They do NOT start body paragraphs.
    • Topic sentences are clear, to-the-point sentences that start body paragraph.

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Hook 1: Ask an interesting question

    • Example: Have you ever seen the world flash before your eyes in a moment of absolute fear? Have you ever wondered - what in the world is going to happen next as your hand slips, slips, slips away?

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Hook 2: Sensory Details/ Imagery

    • Example: The sweet smell of orange and white candy corn floats in the crisp autumn air, mixing with deliciously red candy apples. Children laugh joyfully as they pick their bright orange pumpkins while parents - dressed in yellow plaid - snap picture after picture, capturing these endlessly smiling moments.

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Hook 3: Intense Action

    • Example: My pulse was beating, and my heart was thumping in my chest. It was about to happen. I looked down and - JUMP! I sprang off of the cliff, colliding into the water.

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Hook 4: Imagine

    • Example: Imagine never having to grow up. Imagine a world where you can be a kid forever: no worries, no taxes, no problems.

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Hook 5: Engaging Dialogue

    • Example: “Scott! Get down here right now!” Dad bellowed. His voice sounded fearful.

“Dad?” I hollered. “Where are you?” I squinted through the screen door but couldn’t see him.

“I’m down on the dock. MOVE IT! You’re not going to believe this!” he said in awe.

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Hook 6: Strong Emotion

    • Example: Every part of my body ached with sadness as I thought about my best friend who was now living thousands of miles away from me. Tears flooded my eyes as I sobbed quietly into my pillow, not wanting to alert my parents to my pain.

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Hook 7: Figurative Language/ Sound Effects

    • Example: Boom! A noise as loud as a million fireworks woke me up. I jumped out of bed, afraid to know what had caused the frightening explosion.

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Hook 8: Flashback - Go Back in Time

    • Example: With three seconds left on the clock, I knew this was my last chance to bring my team from behind. I planted my feet on the court, raised the ball high in the air, and pushed it with my fingertips. It soared over the players in front of me and headed towards the net. Bouncing off the rim, once, then twice, it finally sank through the net. Victory was mine! I will always remember that day three years ago, when I thought nothing could ever go wrong.

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Guess What?!? You can combine multiple hook types in one!

Example: Sensory Details/ Strong Emotions/ Dialogue:

  • The wind howled wildly as my pale hands shook rapidly with fear. My pulse beat, beat, beat as the masked character came closer and closer… I shouted, “Help!” but my cry was lost in the wind.