MINI-LESSON

THE HOOK

Technique One: “Create an Image” for your readers

A good hook will…

  1. Yank your readers into the piece
  2. Make readers want to read more
  3. Give readers a clear sense of what the rest of the piece will be about
  4. All of the above

One technique to do “all of the above” is to “create an image” in your reader’s mind.

CREATE AN IMAGE #1

By Chris Nashawaty for Entertainment Weekly, Sept. 9, 2010

Ben Affleck turned 38 last month, and despite some gray in his hair, he looks like he’s in the best shape of his life. It’s 10 a.m., and he’s sitting in a beachfront Santa Monica restaurant wolfing down an egg-white omelet. When he cracks up remembering himself on stage with Damon—two Boston boys who’d somehow managed to crash the A-list party—tiny bits of omelet shrapnel fly out of his mouth and land on the table between us.

In theory, I’m here to talk to Affleck about his latest film, The Town—a gritty Boston heist thriller that he not only stars in but directed and co-wrote. (The movie, rated R, opens on Sept. 17.) After a few minutes, though, I realize that what Affleck really wants to discuss is the launch of Ben 2.0—his transformation from box office whipping boy into genuine filmmaker.

CREATE AN IMAGE #2

Heartbeat racing, she looks up from where she marks her spot as a defender. They’re coming back for more, she thinks to herself as she notices the other teams offense dribbling down the field. She swipes her hand across her forehead removing some of the sweat that is dripping down her face, she’s ready to go. She hears her brother Ben calling out to her from the sidelines “come on Adena! Get ready!” And in an instant flash, the ball is at her feet, she quickly gets the ball to her right then the left confusing the other team and before you know it that soccer ball is on its way down the field. She takes a couple deep breaths looks up. Her team has just made the game-winning goal with her help.

CREATE AN IMAGE #3

7th grader John H. crouched behind home plate and flashed a signal to his pitcher out on the mound. Two fingers touched to the side of the thigh. Fastball. Inside.

If John called for the right pitch, his pitcher would strike out the final batter for the last out in the local Little League Championship. If he called the wrong pitch, his team might lose the game.

John held his glove up as a target and waited for…the wind up…the pitch…

This situation might make some people nervous, but not John. He has played and loved baseball his entire life.

CREATE AN IMAGE #4

Lauren just started at Wilmette Junior High School. She used to go to a school in Missouri called Sandy Springs Middle School. It was for 6th, 7th and 8th graders with fifty kids in each grade. She said she likes it here so far. She also said that the school is bigger here with more kids.

HOMEWORK

In the space below or in your writer’s notebook, try out this technique for your “Interview a Classmate” introductory paragraph/hook. Try to “create an image” of your classamate involved the “narrow focus” you chose.

HOOK

PRACTICE

  1. Mark stood in line for eight hours waiting to board the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy. Is he obsessed with aircraft and ships? Yes!
  1. “It has its advantages, but it’s, well, kinda lonely,” Becky said, explaining what it’s like to be an only child.
  1. Amy Morgan and her horse Tim really enjoy showing together. Amy has only had Tim for a year. She has been showing since she was nine years old.
  1. Have you ever wondered about Hans? Well, now you can know all you want about his music. He loves the guitar, loves to listen to his I-pod, and wants to play in a band when he gets older.
  1. 6. Yaygers, double-back fly-aways, free-hip, circle hand stands, yachenkoffs, round-offs, back tucks, sukaharas. While these words are quite a mouthful for non-gymnasts, they are all a part of a typical day in the gym for Amanda. Gymnastics have been a huge part of Amanda’s life ever since she was four years old, and this thirteen year old has the drive to compete for Olympic gold.

Which of these hooks BEGINS WITH AN IMAGE (paints a picture in the reader’s mind)?

Which of these hooks BEGINS WITH AN INTERESTING QUOTE?

Which of these hooks do you like the best? Why?

Which of these hooks do you like the least? Why?

HW: In your Writing Notebook, please write TWO different hooks/introductions for your piece about your classmate Try the “Begin with an Image” or “Begin with a Direct Quote” techniques or try a technique of your own. The key is to hook in your reader and to prepare them for the rest of your essay.