connects the hook to the thesis statement
summarizes the overall claim of the paper
» Opening with a Story (Anecdote)
A good way of catching your reader’s attention is by sharing a story that sets up your paper. Sharing a story gives a paper a more personal feel and helps make your reader comfortable.
This example was borrowed from Jack Gannon’s The Week the World Heard Gallaudet (1989):
Astrid Goodstein, a Gallaudet faculty member, entered the beauty salon for her regular appointment, proudly wearing her DPN button. (“I was married to that button that week!” she later confided.) When Sandy, her regular hairdresser, saw the button, he spoke and gestured, “Never! Never! Never!” Offended, Astrid turned around and headed for the door but stopped short of leaving. She decided to keep her appointment, confessing later that at that moment, her sense of principles had lost out to her vanity. Later she realized that her hairdresser had thought she was pushing for a deaf U.S. President. Hook: a specific example or story that interests the reader and introduces the topic.
Transition: connects the hook to the thesis statement
Thesis: summarizes the overall claim of the paper
» Specific Detail Opening
Giving specific details about your subject appeals to your reader’s curiosity and helps establish a visual picture of what your paper is about.
Hands flying, green eyes flashing, and spittle spraying, Jenny howled at her younger sister Emma. People walked by, gawking at the spectacle as Jenny’s grunts emanated through the mall. Emma sucked at her thumb, trying to appear nonchalant. Jenny’s blond hair stood almost on end. Her hands seemed to fly so fast that her signs could barely be understood. Jenny was angry. Very angry. | a specific example or story that interests the reader and introduces the topic. connects the hook to the thesis statement summarizes the overall claim of the paper |
» Open with a Quotation
Another method of writing an introduction is to open with a quotation. This method makes your introduction more interactive and more appealing to your reader.
“People paid more attention to the way I talked than what I said!” exclaimed the woman from Brooklyn, New York, in the movie American Tongues. This young woman’s home dialect interferes with people taking her seriously because they see her as a New Yorker’s cartoonish stereotype. The effects on this woman indicate the widespread judgment that occurs about nonstandard dialects. People around America judge those with nonstandard dialects because of _____________ and _____________. This type of judgment can even cause some to be ashamed of or try to change their language identity.* | a specific example or story that interests the reader and introduces the topic. connects the hook to the thesis statement summarizes the overall claim of the paper |
» Open with an Interesting Statistic
Statistics that grab the reader help to make an effective introduction.
American Sign Language is the second most preferred foreign language in the United States. 50% of all deaf and hard of hearing people use American Sign Language (ASL).* ASL is beginning to be provided by the Foreign Language Departments of many universities and high schools around the nation. The statistics are not accurate. They were invented as an example. | a specific example or story that interests the reader and introduces the topic. connects the hook to the thesis statement summarizes the overall claim of the paper |
» Question Openings
Possibly the easiest opening is one that presents one or more questions to be answered in the paper. This is effective because questions are usually what the reader has in mind when he or she sees your topic.
Is ASL a language? Can ASL be written? Do you have to be born deaf to understand ASL completely? To answer these questions, one must first understand exactly what ASL is. In this paper, I attempt to explain this as well as answer my own questions. | a specific example or story that interests the reader and introduces the topic. connects the hook to the thesis statement summarizes the overall claim of the paper |
Source : *Writing an Introduction for a More Formal Essay. (2012). Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://flightline.highline.edu/wswyt/Writing91/handouts/hook_trans_thesis.htm
The conclusion to any paper is the final impression that can be made. It is the last opportunity to get your point across to the reader and leave the reader feeling as if they learned something. Leaving a paper “dangling” without a proper conclusion can seriously devalue what was said in the body itself. Here are a few effective ways to conclude or close your paper. » Summary Closing Many times conclusions are simple re-statements of the thesis. Many times these conclusions are much like their introductions (see Thesis Statement Opening).
Because of a charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln and because of the work of two men, Amos Kendall and Edward Miner Gallaudet, Gallaudet University is what it is today – the place where people from all over the world can find information about deafness and deaf education. Gallaudet and the deaf community truly owe these three men for without them, we might still be “deaf and dumb.” |
» Close with a Logical Conclusion
This is a good closing for argumentative or opinion papers that present two or more sides of an issue. The conclusion drawn as a result of the research is presented here in the final paragraphs.
As one can see from reading the information presented, mainstreaming deaf students isn’t always as effective as educating them in a segregated classroom. Deaf students learn better on a more one-on-one basis like they can find in a school or program specially designed for them. Mainstreaming lacks such a design; deaf students get lost in the mainstream. |
» Real or Rhetorical Question Closings
This method of concluding a paper is one step short of giving a logical conclusion. Rather than handing the conclusion over, you can leave the reader with a question that causes him or her to draw his own conclusions.
Why, then, are schools for the deaf becoming a dying species? |
» Close with a Speculation or Opinion This is a good style for instances when the writer was unable to come up with an answer or a clear decision about whatever it was he or she was researching. For example:
Through all of my research, all of the people I interviewed, all of the institutions I visited, not one person could give me a clear-cut answer to my question. Can all deaf people be educated in the same manner? I couldn’t find the “right” answer. I hope you, the reader, will have better luck. |
» Close with a Recommendation
A good conclusion is when the writer suggests that the reader do something in the way of support for a cause or a plea for them to take action.
American Sign Language is a fast growing language in America. More and more universities and colleges are offering it as part of their curriculum and some are even requiring it as part of their program. This writer suggests that anyone who has a chance to learn this beautiful language should grab that opportunity. |
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Gallaudet University, chartered in 1864, is a private university for deaf and hard of hearing students.
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What’s covered:, developing your hook.
Your essay is one of the best tools available for standing out in a crowded field of college applicants (many with academic portfolios similar to yours) when applying to your dream school. A college essay is your opportunity to show admissions committees the person behind the grades, test scores, and resume. To ensure your college essay receives the full attention of admissions committees, you need to lure them in with a great hook—that is, a compelling opening that makes your audience hungry for more.
You need a strong start to capture the attention of the admission committees. When it comes to college essays, first impressions are everything. In fact, there’s no guarantee that anyone is going to read more than your first sentence if you bore them to tears within a few words, which is why it’s essential to craft an effective and engaging hook.
There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for composing an attention-grabbing hook. A well-crafted hook can be anything from an image to an anecdote to an interesting fact while factors like writing style, essay structure, and prompt can all influence what makes for a good hook. That said, memorable hooks share a number of attributes, most notably they draw readers in, connect with the topic you’re writing about, and leave a lasting impression, often in a creative or unexpected way.
For example, let’s construct a hypothetical essay. Let’s say that after some careful consideration, Jane Doe has decided to write her personal essay about her experience running canine obedience classes. She isn’t quite sure how to start her essay, so she’s practicing with some proven essay hooks. If you’re ready to develop your own hook, check out four of our favorite college essay hook strategies and how they work for Jane below!
There are a number of proven strategies that Jane can use to craft a compelling hook. A few tried-and-true hooks include:
People love stories, so it makes sense that telling one is a great way to attract readers. Detailing a relevant anecdote provides context for your essay and can give the reader an idea of what you are up against if you’re overcoming an obstacle or rising to a challenge.
On the day that I told my mother I wanted to start my own canine obedience school, she smiled and muttered something under her breath about the irony of my youthful disobedience and my newfound passion for enforcing rules. What she didn’t know then was that it was not in spite of, but rather because of, my tendency to push the boundaries that I was confident in my ability to succeed.
One fantastic way to get your essay moving and to draw your readers in is to plunge them into the middle of an important scene. Provide readers with descriptive details and dialogue to make them feel like they’re watching a movie from your life and have just tuned in at a critical moment.
I jumped back as the dog lunged for my leg, teeth bared and snarling. “It’s okay, Smokey, it’s okay,” I soothed as I tried to maneuver closer to the post where I had tied his leash. In the back of my head, I heard my brother’s taunts swirling around.
“A dog trainer?” he had scoffed. “What kind of person would hire you as a dog trainer?!”
I pushed the thoughts away and grasped the leash, pulling it tightly to my side as Smokey, surprised by my sudden confidence, fell into stride beside me.
Asking a question at the beginning of your essay can activate your reader’s critical thinking and get them hungry for the answer that you won’t offer until later. Try to come up with a question that’s broad enough that they won’t know the answer right away, but specific enough that it isn’t a generic hook that could work on just any college essay.
How do you respond when you’re faced with a very real physical threat to your safety, yet you literally can’t afford to back down? This is the question I faced on my very first day as a dog trainer.
A metaphor or simile can pull readers in by helping them make connections between seemingly unrelated topics or by encouraging them to think about topics from a different point of view.
Running canine obedience classes is a lot like navigating high school. It’s a dog-eat-dog world with a lot to learn, many personalities to manage, peril around every corner, and everyone anxious to graduate.
Selecting the right hook is a great first step for writing a winning college essay, but the execution is also important.
Sometimes the best way to tackle big projects like writing an attention-grabbing hook or captivating college essay is to think small. Narrow down on a specific incident or even a moment that leads into your topic.
It’s my first time teaching a canine obedience class. I’m surrounded by strangers and the dogs are barking so loud I can’t hear myself think, but I have a gnawing feeling that I’m losing control. I put my fingers to my lips and let out the loudest whistle I’m capable of. Suddenly there was silence.
Adjectives are used to add a description and make your writing clearer and more specific. In other words, they’re the details that make your writing stand out and suck readers in. Jane didn’t simply reward the dog for sitting, she…
It was a battle of wills between me and the eight-month-old Australian Shepherd—defiance was in his sparkling blue eyes, but so was desire for the bit of hot dog hiding in my hand. Reluctantly he sat, earning his treat while I claimed my alpha status.
Use emotion to connect and entice your reader. Emotions make readers feel, pulling them into your essay, and are memorable. You can use them for everything from sharing a fact about yourself to putting the reader in your shoes.
When I was young, I would have been extremely lonely if not for my dog Trevor. I struggled to make friends and Trevor provided companionship, helped me overcome my shyness (he was a great icebreaker), and is responsible for shaping who I am today. When Trevor passed away in high school, I set out to train canine obedience and help dogs become the best versions of themselves—just like what Trevor did for me.
Admissions committees have a lot of essays to read, so the quicker you get to the point and capture their attention, the better.
Mere moments into my dream job, someone had already peed on the floor and another had bitten a person. Welcome to the life of a dog trainer.
Sometimes the hook of your college essay isn’t clear. Rather than getting hung up, start developing your essay and see if it adds clarity as to how to best implement a hook. Some students even find that it’s easiest to write a hook last, after writing the body of the personal statement.
Wondering if you created an effective hook? It’s difficult to evaluate your own writing, especially a line or two you read and reworked numerous times. CollegeVine can help. Through our free Peer Essay Review tool , you can get a free review of your hook, and overall essay, from another student. Then you can pay it forward and improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.
If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!
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Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.
A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.
The main goals of an introduction are to:
This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.
The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.
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Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.
Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.
Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.
The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly why the topic is important.
Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.
Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.
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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:
The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.
How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:
Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.
This is the most important part of your introduction. A good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.
The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.
Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.
As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.
For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.
When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.
It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.
To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .
You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.
My first sentence is engaging and relevant.
I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.
I have defined any important terms.
My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.
Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.
You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.
This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).
In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:
The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .
The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.
To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.
The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:
Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.
The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
McCombes, S. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 7, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/introduction/
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Which section of your essay can make your readers dip their toes into your writing? Is it the body paragraphs where all the analysis is laid out? Or maybe the introduction, where you present your thesis statement and voice your perspective on the subject? Well, if you think it is the latter, then we must agree with your decision. However, let's get more specific; if we take the introductory paragraph to pieces, which piece gets the most recognition? You must have guessed from the article's title that we're talking about a hook. But first, let's define what is a hook for an essay before we walk you through the reasons why it deserves our pat on the back.
The hook is the initial sentence in a written work. Whether you're asking how to write a hook for a song, blog post, or term paper, know that the purpose of any effective hook is to seize the reader's attention. It can be one sentence long, often for shorter pieces, or composed of several lines - usually for larger pieces. Making the reader want to keep reading is what an essay hook accomplishes for your paper, just as an intriguing introduction does for any piece.
Our main emphasis in this guide is on creating a good hook for an essay. Nonetheless, these fundamental guidelines apply to nearly every format for communicating with your audience. Whether writing a personal statement, a speech, or a presentation, making a solid first impression is crucial to spur your readers into action.
Although it is a tough skill to master, understanding how to write a hook is crucial for academic writing success. By reviewing the most prevalent kinds of essay hooks, you can discover how to effectively captivate readers from the start and generate a hook that is ideal for your article. To do so, let's head over to the following sections prepared by our dissertation writers .
By mastering how to write a hook for a college essay, you have the opportunity to stand out from the hundreds of applicants with identical academic portfolios to yours in your college essay. It should shed light on who you are, represent your true nature, and show your individuality. But first, you need an attention-grabbing start if you want the admissions committee to read more of yours than theirs. For this, you'll require a strong hook.
When wondering how to write a good hook for an essay, consider setting the scene. Open in the middle of a key moment, plunge in with vivid details and conversation to keep your essay flowing and attract the reader. Make the reader feel like they are seeing a moment from your life and have just tuned in.
Starting with a specific example is also a great idea if you're explaining how you acquired a particular skill or unique accomplishment. Then, similar to how you established the scenario above, you may return to this point later and discuss its significance throughout the remaining sections.
Using an anecdotal hook doesn't necessarily mean that your essay should also be humorous. The joke should be short and well-aimed to achieve the best results. To assist the reader in visualizing the situation and understanding what you are up against when tackling a task or overcoming a challenge, you might also use a funny irony. And if this sounds too overwhelming to compose, buy an essay on our platform and let our expert writers convey your unmatched story!
If you write a strong hook, your instructor will be compelled to read your argument in the following paragraphs. So, put your creative thinking cap on while crafting the hook, and write in a way that entices readers to continue reading the essay.
Statistics serve as a useful hook because they encourage research. When used in argumentative writing, statistics can introduce readers to previously undiscovered details and data. That can greatly increase their desire to read your article from start to finish. You can also consider this advice when unsure how to write a good hook for a research paper. Especially if you're conducting a quantitative study, a statistic hook can be a solid start.
Another answer to your 'how to write a hook for an argumentative essay' question is to use a common misconception. What could be a better way to construct an interesting hook, which should grab readers' attention, than to incorporate a widely held misconception? A widespread false belief is one that many people hold to be true. When you create a hook with a misinterpretation, you startle your readers and immediately capture their interest.
The finest hooks for a persuasive essay capture the reader's interest while leading them to almost unconsciously support your position even before they are aware of it. You can accomplish this by employing the following hook ideas for an essay:
By posing a query at the outset of your essay, you may engage the reader's critical thinking and whet their appetite for the solution you won't provide until later. Try to formulate a question wide enough for them to not immediately know the answer and detailed enough to avoid becoming a generic hook.
This is a fantastic approach to arouse sympathy and draw the reader into your cause. By appealing to the reader's emotions, you may establish a bond that encourages them to read more and get invested in the subject you cover.
Using these strategies, you won't have to wonder how to write a hook for a persuasive essay anymore!
Finding strong essay openers might be particularly challenging when writing a literary analysis. Coming up with something very remarkable on your own while writing about someone else's work is no easy feat. But we have some expert solutions below:
Using a literary quote sounds like the best option when unsure how to write a hook for a literary analysis essay. Nonetheless, its use is not restricted to that and is mostly determined by the style and meaning of the quotes. Still, when employing literary quotes, it's crucial to show two things at once: first, how well you understand the textual information. And second, you know how to capture the reader's interest right away.
This is another style of hook that is frequently employed in literary analysis. But if you wonder how to write a good essay hook without sounding boring, choose a historical person with notable accomplishments and keep your readers intrigued and inspired to read more.
In an informative essay, your ultimate goal is to not only educate your audience but also engage and keep them interested from the very beginning. For this, consider the following:
You might begin your essay with an interesting fact or by giving a definition related to your subject. The same standard applies here for most types mentioned above: it must be intriguing, surprising, and/or alarming.
Another solution to 'How to write a hook for an informative essay?' is to introduce your essay with a relevant question. This hook lets you pique a reader's interest in your essay and urge them to keep reading as they ponder the answer.
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Are you still struggling with the ideal opening sentence for your essay? Check out some advice from our essay helper on how to write a hook sentence and make your opening stand out.
Now you know how to write a good hook and understand that a solid hook is the difference between someone delving further into your work or abandoning it immediately. With our hook examples for an essay, you can do more than just write a great paper. We do not doubt that you can even write a winning term paper example right away!
Try to become an even better writer with the help of our paper writing service . Give them the freedom to write superior hooks and full essays for you so you may learn from them!
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How to write a hook for an essay, what is a good hook for an argumentative essay.
is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.
Blank screen. Cursor blinks. Clock ticks. Brain freezes.
You stressfully wonder, “How will I ever finish this essay?”
I’ve been there.
Every time you write an essay, you want to catch your readers’ undivided attention from the very first word. The opening hook has to be *perfect* — no compromises.
But, instead of reeling under pressure to come up with this elusively perfect essay hook at the eleventh hour, I’ve found a better way to write great essay hooks.
In this guide, I’ll tell you what it takes to write the most compelling and attention-grabbing hooks. I’ll also break down six awesome types of essay hooks you can experiment with and share examples to inspire your next opening statement.
An essay hook is the opening statement of an essay, written to capture readers' attention and nudge them to learn more about the topic. Also known as a lede or lead, this hook introduces readers to the topic/theme of the essay and piques their curiosity to continue reading.
The hook creates the entire narrative for your essay. It tells readers what to expect from the rest of the essay and creates context around your main argument or thesis statement.
I’ve created this handy list of six different types of essay hooks. You can choose the one that best fits your essay’s context and create a stellar opening statement within minutes.
Lead with evidence and use a powerful fact or statistic as your essay hook. It’s one of the best ways to capture readers’ attention from the start and keep them intrigued throughout your essay.
For example, if you’re writing about the importance of time management for freelancers, you have two options to create your opening sentence:
Generic : “Managing time as a freelancer is no easy feat.”
Impactful : “Nearly 70% of freelancers struggle to effectively divide and manage their time between multiple clients.”
This data point, linked to the original research, sets a strong tone for your essay and draws people in to read more. It communicates
Finding relevant statistics for any topic is one of the hardest parts of the job.
But you don't have to spend hours looking for these data points anymore. Wordtune can do this heavy lifting for you in three easy steps.
When working on an argumentative essay , I always write with the mindset that nobody has the time to read my thoughts from start to finish. So, I have to get to the point quickly and make a solid argument worth people’s time.
That's when opening with a bold claim works best. Condense all your views on the topic into a few thought-provoking lines that would make readers go, hmmm…
But remember, you can't open with a claim that people already know and accept as fact. It has to be something original and unique to make your readers tick, nudging them to dive deeper into your essay.
For example, if you’re writing about water crisis, you have two options to open your essay:
"In some regions, there is not enough clean water for people to use."
"Imagine a world where every drop of water is a battle, a precious commodity fought over by scores of people and animals alike. This can become a reality as early as 2050."
This bold claim presents a convincing argument about the global water crisis. It also emphasizes the urgency of this argument with a research-backed statistic.
Can’t think of a strong opening sentence for your essay? Wordtune can translate your thoughts into a bold claim and create a compelling essay hook.
Open your Wordtune editor and write a few lines related to your topic. These sentences should have a consensus among your audience. Then, choose the 'Counterargument' option from the list of suggestions.
And you’ll have a bold claim for your essay with no effort at all!
In all my years of writing, I’ve noticed how stories have a unique effect on people. A good story can resonate with a bigger audience, pique their curiosity, and deliver a more personal message.
That's why you can cite a personal anecdote or talk about a publicly known story as a good hook for your essay. This hook allows you to play with words and work in more storytelling .
One of my favorite writing tips applies here: enter the scene as late as possible and leave as early as possible. You have to keep it crisp instead of rambling on and on.
Consider these two examples:
Either of these hooks could work fine if we were just writing a personal essay about a move to a new place. But if we’re specifically writing about the sky, the second example is better. It sticks to the point — the sky and the color of the sky — and doesn’t stray into irrelevant details.
I get it—not all of us are natural storytellers. But you can use AI to your advantage to create a concise and exciting story for your essay.
Wordtune can help you write a short story from scratch or trim down your writing into a quick anecdote. Click on the expand or shorten button to edit your story any way you like.
Humans have a tendency to immediately look for answers every time they come across fascinating questions. Using questions as essay hooks can reel people into your essay and feed their curiosity.
But questions are also fairly overused in essays. You don't want to use a generic question that makes people say, " Not another question ."
Instead, think of questions that approach your topic from a fresh angle. This means honing in on what was especially interesting or surprising from your research—and maybe even brainstorming different questions to find the most fascinating one.
For example, if you’re writing about the psychology behind why we buy, you have two options to open your essay:
“Do you know what factors compel us to buy certain things?”
Plugged in :
“Before buying anything, have you ever taken a moment to pause and think about possible reasons driving you to this purchase?”
The latter is more descriptive and creates a realistic scenario for readers to truly think about the topic of the essay.
A descriptive hook works best when writing an explanatory or opinion-led essay. Descriptive hooks, as the name suggests, illustrate a topic in detail to create context for the essay. It's a good way to build awareness for and educate readers on lesser-known themes.
But a descriptive hook can easily become too plain or unexciting to read. To make it work, you have to write an engaging description using imagery, analogies, and other figures of speech.
Remember to make your hook reader-friendly by avoiding passive voice, mainstream cliches, and lengthy sentences.
Consider this example:
Describing a sunset is too cliche, so cross that one off the list. Describing the sky as it is on a normal day wouldn't be shocking or unexpected, so scratch that one, too.
This example creates something unique by using analogies to describe the color of the sky and painting a beautiful picture.
Writing an exciting hook for a boring topic is more challenging than it looks. But Wordtune makes it a breeze with just two steps:
You can also change the tone of voice to make the text more in tune with your theme.
One of my favorite essay hooks is to open with a persuasive metaphor to contextualize the topic. Metaphors can help you approach the topic from a completely different lens and wow your readers with interesting insight.
Metaphors are also super versatile to make your writing more impactful. You can write a one-line metaphor or create a scenario comparing one thing to another and linking it to your topic.
For example, if you’re writing about the experience of working at a startup, you can open your essay with these two options:
Short & sweet: "Joining a startup is like strapping into a rollercoaster: be ready to witness thrilling highs and sinking drops."
Long & descriptive : “Picture a small sailboat navigating the unpredictable winds and tides in a vast ocean. That’s a startup operating in a massive market. And with the right vision, this journey is filled with risks and rewards.”
Writing good metaphors takes up a lot of creative brain power. You can always use Wordtune to find some extra inspiration if you're out of creative ideas.
Type your opening line in the Wordtune editor and click on the 'Give an analogy' option. You can ask for as many suggestions as you want till you find the best one!
Whether you’re writing a research paper on economics, an argumentative essay for your college composition class, or a personal essay sharing your thoughts on a topic, you need to nail down a few things before you settle on the first line for your essay.
Let me break them down for you.
Before you start writing your essay, you need to know your topic — not just in name, but in-depth. You don't have to become a subject matter expert overnight. But you do need to research the topic inside out
Your research will help you:
Your research insights determine your essay’s structure and guide your choice of hook.
After organizing your research in a neat outline, think to yourself: Did you uncover a shocking fact? A compelling anecdote? An interesting quote? Any of those things could be your hook.
⚡ Take action: After finishing your research, review your notes and think through your essay. Mark or make a list of anything compelling enough to be a good lead.
In academic settings, there are generally three kinds of essays:
The type of essay you’re writing is key to choosing the best hook for your piece.
A serious argumentative essay can start with a shocking statistic or a bold claim. And an expository essay can open with a descriptive hook while a metaphor hook would work best for a narrative essay.
⚡ Take action: Go through your list of potential hooks and cross out anything that doesn't fit the type of essay you're writing, whether it's persuasive , argumentative, or any other type.
A best practice I often share with writers is to think of one reader and keep yourself in their shoes . This exercise can tell you so much about your audience — what kind of tone they like, what matters the most to them, what topics interest them, and so on.
You can use these insights to create a compelling essay hook. Here’s how:
⚡ Take action: Look at your list. Can you write these potential hooks in a tone that suits your subject and audience?
Are you writing a 10-page paper or a three-page reflection? Or is this your senior thesis, pushing over 100 pages?
If you’re writing a shorter paper, you’ll want to keep your hook quick and snappy.
Readers are expecting a quick read, and they don’t want to spend five minutes only going through the introduction.
In contrast, you can approach a longer essay — like a senior thesis or a term paper — with a longer hook. Just make sure your hook relates to and supports the core point of your essay. You don’t want to waste space describing a scene that ultimately has nothing to do with the rest of your piece.
⚡ Take action: If you write out the items on your list, how long will they be? A sentence or paragraph? Perfect. Two to five paragraphs? Unless your essay is on the longer side, you may want to save that information for later in the piece.
Now that you know the basic facts about what you’re writing, let’s look at some approaches you could use to catch those readers — and reel them in.
I’ve read hundreds of essays — enough to recognize lazy writing from the first few words. It’s equally easy for readers to discard your essays as ‘poorly written’ just by reading the first line.
So, I made a list of three types of essay hooks you want to avoid at all costs because these hooks can only disappoint your readers.
Quotes are probably the most overused type of hook in any form of writing. What's even worse is rinsing and repeating the same old quotes from Abraham Lincoln or Nelson Mandela in your essays.
No matter how powerful a quote sounds, you shouldn’t slap it at the opening of your essay. It doesn’t give readers the excitement of reading something original and looks lazy.
For example, if you’re writing an essay on productivity, here’s what a good and bad lede looks like:
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work” – Stephen King
Did you know that consuming 100 gms of sugar can slash your productivity levels by over 50% in a day?
The New Oxford American Dictionary defines a hook as "a thing designed to catch people's attention."
If I opened my article with this dictionary definition of a hook, you’d have either dozed off or left this page long back to find something more interesting.
Here's the thing: definitions put people to sleep. Readers don't want to see a formal, jargon-heavy definition of a topic as the very first line of an essay. Your opening statement should have some personality in it to show readers they're in for an exciting read.
For example, if you’re writing about happy hormones, here’s what a good and bad lede looks like:
Happy hormones are known to boost the happiness levels in your body by creating positive feelings.
Ever wondered why cat videos make you instantly happy, and ice creams give you an extra dose of energy? It's all about how happy hormones control our brain chemistry.
Opening your essay with "Imagine this" used to be an interesting way to put your readers in a scenario and set the context for your essay. But now, it's far too cliched and just another lazy attempt to write an essay hook.
You can create a relatable scenario for users without asking them to imagine or picture it. Use the descriptive hook format with an interesting choice of words to convey the same ideas more creatively.
For example, if you’re writing an essay on preparing for higher studies abroad, here’s what a good and bad lede looks like:
Imagine this: You’ve been applying to multiple universities, writing SOPs, and preparing for exams without guidance. Everything can go south any minute.
College application season is officially here. But with each passing day, you’re under more and more stress to apply to your chosen colleges and tick all the items off your list.
This opening statement can make or break your entire essay. While I’ve broken down my best tips to create the best essay hooks, here’s a surefire way to write compelling openings :
Go through your notes and either outline your essay or write the whole thing. This way, you’ll know the central thread (or throughline) that runs throughout your piece.
Once your essay or outline is complete, go back through and identify a particularly compelling fact, claim, or example that relates to that central thread.
Write up that fact, claim, or example as the hook for your essay using any of the methods we’ve covered. Then revise or write your essay so the hook leads smoothly into the rest of the piece and you don’t repeat that information elsewhere.
Does your hook spark curiosity in you?
Did that fact surprise you in the research stage?
Chances are, your readers will have the same reaction.
And that’s exactly what you want.
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The introductory and concluding paragraphs are like the top and bottom buns of a hamburger. They contain basically the same information and are critical for holding the entire piece together.
After completing the exercises in this chapter, you will be able to
You learned in the previous chapter that a body paragraph is structured like a hamburger. You can think of your essay as one big burger!
The top bun is the introduction.
The meat and vegetables in the middle are the supporting body paragraphs (several mini-burgers).
The bottom bun is the conclusion.
“ Burger ” by wildgica under license CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 .
The top and bottom bun are both made of bread; they contain the same ingredients (or information) but look a little bit different. The “meat” of your argument is in the supporting body paragraphs.
Your introductory paragraph has three main parts:
Start your introductory paragraph with an interesting comment or question that will get your reader interested in your topic.
The hook is the very first thing your audience encounters. A good hook should be just one or two sentences. The goal of your hook is to introduce your reader to your broad topic in an interesting way and make your reader excited to read more.
Even though your hook is at the very beginning of your essay, you should actually write your hook LAST! It will be much easier for you to write an engaging introduction to your topic after you’ve done all of your research and after you’ve written your body paragraphs and conclusion.
Watch this video for tips on how to write a captivating and relevant hook [1] :
In part two of this video series, Mister Messinger gives some additional tips about writing hooks, explains some common mistakes that beginning writers make, and warns against using rhetorical questions: rhetorical questions, while fairly easy to write, are often poorly done and not engaging.
Your introductory paragraph should also include some background information. Don’t preview the ideas that you’ll introduce in your thesis – this is not the place to introduce your supporting points. Instead of giving your argument, explain the critical facts about your topic that an average reader needs to know in order to be prepared for your argument.
Examples of background information related to the broad topic that readers might need to know:
The information that you need to provide depends heavily on your topic:
Remember that you are writing for a general audience. Don’t assume that your reader has specialized knowledge of your topic.
Remember that you are writing for a general audience, so you shouldn’t assume that your readers have any specific knowledge of your topic or that they know any specialized terminology. The background information that you provide should give your readers the information they need to understand the argument in your thesis. Be sure, though, that you don’t *preview* the thesis. Do not include your argument or any information related to your body paragraphs as background information.
Watch this video for more information about how to include relevant background information [2] :
As you know, the thesis is the most important sentence in your essay. It is placed last in the introductory paragraph. The hook and the background information should lead gracefully to the thesis. The thesis concisely states the answer to your research question by stating the specific topic, implying your stance on the topic, and listing the topics of the supporting body paragraphs.
Consider this short introductory paragraph and answer the questions that follow:
Let’s look at this introductory paragraph that was created by a student for her essay on why the City of Thunder Bay should change its existing laws to allow residents to raise chickens.
The writer’s hook is in blue text. The writer is trying to engage the reader on the topic by providing a surprising contrast. What other hooks could the writer have used instead?
The background information is in orange text. The writer realized that her readers wouldn’t be able to understand her point of view if they didn’t know that the law currently forbids city residents from raising chickens on their property. Is this enough background information for you to understand the thesis? What additional information could the writer have provided?
The thesis is in purple text. The thesis statement is well-written and clearly states all necessary information:
When the writer drafts her body paragraphs, she needs to make sure that each underlined idea is the topic of a paragraph and that those paragraphs are organized in the same order as the ideas are presented in the thesis.
According to Wikipedia: A paraphrase is a restatement of the meaning of a text or passage using other words.
According to Wikipedia: Mosaic Plagiarism – Or "patch writing," is when parts of other works are copied without using quotation marks. It can also be when a student keeps the same structure and meaning of an original passage and only uses synonyms
Writing the Introductory Paragraph Copyright © by Confederation College Communications Department and Paterson Library Commons. All Rights Reserved.
You can think of the first sentence of your essay as you would a fishing hook. It grabs your reader and allows you reel the person into your essay and your train of thought. The hook for your essay can be an interesting sentence that captures a person's attention, it can be thought-provoking, or even, entertaining.
The hook for your essay often appears in the first sentence . The opening paragraph includes a thesis sentence . Some popular hook choices can include using an interesting quote, a little-known fact, famous last words, or a statistic .
A quote hook is best used when you are composing an essay based on an author, story, or book. It helps establish your authority on the topic and by using someone else's quote, you can strengthen your thesis if the quote supports it.
The following is an example of a quote hook: "A man's errors are his portals of discovery." In the next sentence or two, give a reason for this quote or current example. As for the last sentence (the thesis) : Students grow more confident and self-sufficient when parents allow them to make mistakes and experience failure.
By setting the tone in the opening sentence with a uniquely written general statement of your thesis, the beauty is that you get right to the point. Most readers appreciate that approach.
For example, you can start with the following statement: Many studies show that the biological sleep pattern for teens shifts a few hours, which means teens naturally stay up later and feel alert later in the morning. The next sentence, set up the body of your essay, perhaps by introducing the concept that school days should be adjusted so that they are more in sync with the teenager's natural sleep or wake cycle. As for the last sentence (the thesis) : If every school day started at ten o'clock, many students would find it easier to stay focused.
By listing a proven fact or entertaining an interesting statistic that might even sound implausible to the reader, you can excite a reader to want to know more.
Like this hook: According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics , teens and young adults experience the highest rates of violent crime. Your next sentence can set up the argument that it's dangerous for teenagers to be on the streets at late hours. A fitting thesis statement might read: Parents are justified in implementing a strict curfew, regardless of a student's academic performance.
The good news about finding a hook? You can find a quote, fact, or another type of hook after you determine your thesis. You can accomplish this with a simple online search about your topic after you've developed your essay .
You can nearly have the essay finished before you revisit the opening paragraph. Many writers polish up the first paragraph after the essay is completed.
Here's an example of the steps you can follow that help you outline your essay.
Obviously, the first step is to determine your thesis. You need to research your topic and know what you plan to write about. Develop a starting statement. Leave this as your first paragraph for now.
The next paragraphs become the supporting evidence for your thesis. This is where you include the statistics, opinions of experts, and anecdotal information.
Compose a closing paragraph that is basically a reiteration of your thesis statement with new assertions or conclusive findings you find during with your research.
Lastly, go back to your introductory hook paragraph. Can you use a quote, shocking fact, or paint a picture of the thesis statement using an anecdote? This is how you sink your hooks into a reader.
The best part is if you are not loving what you come up with at first, then you can play around with the introduction. Find several facts or quotes that might work for you. Try out a few different starting sentences and determine which of your choices makes the most interesting beginning to your essay.
How do you write a good introduction such that your readers will read the rest of your paper? You need to have a good hook. What is a hook and how is it used? This article explains this concept and provides an example.
After reading a lot of articles, essays, narrations, accounts, among other things, I would say I have had a good deal of experience to say how good introductions must be written. I say this not only in reference to writing a thesis, but for any other composition for that matter.
I encountered many tips on how to write introductions. All those tips make sense, but the bottom line of it all is that the one concerned has to develop his or her own style of writing the introduction. A common goal is such that the reader of the introduction should be able to thoroughly understand and appreciate what the researcher wants to do.
Have you ever read something that holds your attention after reading just a few lines of words? Things that push you to read on to find out what’s next? And even read it all the way to the end?
If that’s the case, then you’re hooked! You have read an introduction that has a good “hook.” The “hook” is the writer’s way to attract your attention. It’s not an empty hook. It is something that pulls you around to follow what the author wants you to follow closely, i.e., without you consciously knowing that you were captivated by what you have just read.
Well, how do you write a good “hook?” It’s a matter of style. You can start with something that’s intriguing or an issue that is timely and appealing to people so that they would want to know more about it.
Here is an example of how a good hook should be written:
The high rate of albinism among newly born babies in a mango-growing community alarmed concerned government agencies. A task force from the Department of Health was dispatched to the area to find out the reason behind the occurrence of such condition. Initial queries among the affected families revealed that all mothers who gave birth to albinos ate young mangoes while they were pregnant. Is there something wrong with the mangoes? The group explored further and tried to see if mango consumption is a good lead to undertake an investigation. They asked questions about anything related to mango production.
After this hook, you may then proceed and introduce what you intend to do to verify if indeed there is a link between pesticides and albinism.
Don’t you think the above account will spark your curiosity to go on and read what’s next? Well, I hope you do agree with me because the reason there was a high rate of albinism is quite interesting. What did the researchers find in the more rigorous investigation that followed the scoping or exploratory survey ?
To cut the story short, the culprit of albinism among children are the contaminated young, green mangoes which pregnant mothers crave to eat while conceiving. In our local vernacular, we call this “paglilihi sa hilaw na mangga.” As a result, mothers consume mangoes laced with pesticide, which, incidentally, has an ingredient that prevents the production of melanin. Melanin is a natural substance produced by the body that gives color to hair, skin, and the iris of the eye. It is produced by cells in the skin called melanocytes.
Is this a good hook for writing a good introduction? Did it spark your curiosity to know more? Write your thoughts below.
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Suppose you need to write a persuasive or argumentative essay, as do many seventh graders whose states are following the Common Core curriculum. Suppose you need to take a position on the following statement: Santa Claus is real.
You decide to take the position that yes, Santa is real. For your evidence, you use the following points:
For your first body paragraph topic sentence, you write, “Many television and radio stations track Santa’s sleigh and reindeer around the world on Christmas Eve.” If you add, “thus proving Santa is real,” you have a perfect topic sentence. Then to back up your topic sentence, you list TV and radio stations which do this.
So far so good.
You start your second body paragraph with, “Second, Coca Cola and other retailers use Santa’s image to sell items.” The problem here is, “second” what? You need to say something like, “A second reason to prove that Santa is real is that Coco Cola and other retailers. . .”
Every sentence in every body paragraph should support the topic sentence of that paragraph. Just as importantly, every topic sentence should support the essay’s thesis. Some students think, well of course, if I say “second,” the reader knows that what I mean is that this is the second reason why Santa is real. Not so. You need to say that.
You always need to state the connections between the evidence and your topic sentences, and between your topic sentences and your thesis.
In working with students writing persuasive essays, I see this lack of connections all the time. To show the flow of connections, I draw arrows on students’ essays. One group of arrows goes from the data in a body paragraph to the topic sentence of that body paragraph. Another arrow goes from that topic sentence to the thesis or topic sentence of the whole essay found in the first paragraph. If the connections is not stated, I draw the arrows with dashes rather than with solid lines to show that the connection is not explicit.
Make your connections obvious.
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Furia--Quick Study Guide is a nine-page text with detailed information on the setting; 17 characters; 10 themes; 8 places, teams, and motifs; and 15 direct quotes from the text. Teachers who have read the novel can months later come up to speed in five minutes by reading the study guide.
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Your architecture portfolio is one of your most powerful tools when searching for a new career opportunity. Whether describing your work at a networking event or presenting your previous projects in an interview setting, the ability to clearly and succinctly pitch your portfolio has the potential to evoke intrigue and excitement in the listener and influence the lens through which your prospective employer will read your wider work. However, the ability to capture a body of work as rich, complex, and varied as an architecture portfolio requires deliberate planning and preparation.
With that in mind, we have assembled below a series of tips to help you design and deliver a brief elevator pitch to introduce your architecture portfolio during a job search.
Do you have advice for pitching your portfolio while searching for your next role? Let us know in the comments.
Before unpacking how to create an elevator pitch for your portfolio , it is worth reflecting on why you should create one at all. While you are unlikely to physically find yourself in an elevator explaining your creative work to a potential future employer, the ability to clearly and succinctly summarize your work is highly valuable in an employment context.
Your architecture portfolio likely contains many varying projects, complete with narratives on design visions, processes, and technical details. Meanwhile, the portfolios of recent architecture graduates will contain thesis projects rich in complex theoretical and research strands, in addition to design ideas that evolved over months and semesters. If you do not intentionally craft a 30–60-second pitch that succinctly introduces your work, clearly states the overall theme of your portfolio, and captures the essence of your skills and interests, you will quickly find yourself lost in the weeds when trying to summarize years of work in one interaction.
The more equipped the listener is to follow your work from the first line, the more positively they are likely to receive your message.
The beginning of your elevator pitch should accomplish two things: summarize your work’s ethos in one line, and do so in a way that engages the listener. If you are a graduate whose thesis involves urban farming, for example, your hook could be: “My work explores how urban farming can make cities more beautiful and exciting places to live.” If you are a mid-career architect who has worked on large, international projects, your hook could be: “My work shows how one team can be tasked with designing in radically different geographic contexts across the world, but still embody the same design principles.”
Your opening line should capture the listener’s interest while also offering them a lens through which they can read your work. The more equipped the listener is to follow your work from the first line, the more positively they are likely to receive your message. Meanwhile, by framing your line as a ‘challenge’ such as ‘making cities more beautiful through farming’ or ‘delivering on the same principles in multiple geographies,’ the listener will also become more emotionally invested in your message.
Having set out the ethos of your work, you can reinforce this ethos through specific examples. Taking our two examples from above, our urban farming graduate may summarize their final year project in a couple of lines, such as: “I developed a system for transforming abandoned parking structures in Los Angeles into urban farms, where each car parking space is owned by a different restaurant, and each level is a different stage in the food cycle.” Meanwhile, our international architect might say, “In one project, I led the design of a stadium in China that doubled as a landscaped park to ensure this landmark is not only active during sporting events. At the same time, I led the delivery of a transport hub in the Netherlands that also incorporates living and working, so that it becomes more than just a point of arrival and departure from the city.”
By connecting your examples to your opening hook, you will position yourself as somebody taking action on your aspirations: You are ‘solving’ the ‘problem.’ Meanwhile, teasing concrete examples of your work will help pique the interest of the listener, who will be curious to learn more. However, be careful not to go into too much detail on each project (tempting as it may be, given how much effort you likely exerted on them). Likewise, mentioning more than 1–2 projects in your elevator pitch runs the risk of overwhelming the listener and unnecessarily prolonging your pitch.
Communicating the relevance and value of your work not only reinforces a proactive outlook on your part but also invites the listener to ‘buy into’ your mission.
With the ethos of your work summarized, and one or two examples teased, it is time to reinforce why your work is relevant. Our urban farming graduate may briefly explain the importance of reintroducing food production to cities by way of changing attitudes, revitalizing dormant areas, and addressing climate change. Meanwhile, our international architect might explain the importance of large-scale projects being interwoven with their local context, or of typically ‘detached’ typologies such as stadiums or transport hubs becoming more integrated with wider cities.
Communicating the relevance and value of your work not only reinforces a proactive outlook on your part but also invites the listener to ‘buy into’ your mission. When the conversation or interview becomes more detailed, having your value proposition already established ensures that the listener is reading and analyzing your portfolio from an angle that compliments your work.
Concluding your pitch with a call to action avoids the potential for an ‘awkward silence’ to set in and instead offers you and the listener a natural way to continue the conversation beyond your pitch, whether now or in the future. If you are speaking with a potential employer at a networking event, this might involve asking to exchange email addresses or setting up a future conversation. Remember that, in some cases, you may not physically have your portfolio with you when delivering your pitch, so a call to action may be offering the listener a link to where they can see more of your work.
If you are in an interview , meanwhile, your elevator pitch is a valuable way to introduce the theme of your portfolio before jumping into details. Therefore, your call to action may be as simple as asking the interviewer if they would be interested in hearing about one or two projects in more detail.
You will want to sound natural and conversational but not scripted or robotic.
While it’s important to practice your pitch to ensure smooth delivery, avoid memorizing it word-for-word. You will want to sound natural and conversational but not scripted or robotic. When practicing, use the opportunity to also pay attention to your tone, body language, breathing, and pace of delivery.
If you find yourself rushing through your elevator pitch, this may be a sign not only of nerves but of trying to say too much in too little time. Such nerves (though inevitable) can be helped by practice, relaxation techniques, and simply reminding yourself to speak slightly slower. Your pitch can also be shortened by reducing the number of examples you are giving of your work.
Considering that your elevator pitch will be no more than 60 seconds, it may be a worthwhile investment to map out more than one pitch, even for the same portfolio. After all, there are likely several ways through which you can present your portfolio, whether emphasizing the most common typologies in your work, the level of technical detail across your work, or the materials used. Knowing how to introduce your portfolio in multiple ways will better enable you to adapt the narrative of the work to suit your circumstances.
As mentioned in the ‘call to action’ advice, you can also craft separate elevator pitches for use in different contexts, such as in interviews, networking events, or more informal social settings.
While this edition of Archinect Tips focuses on crafting an elevator pitch for your portfolio, you don’t need to stop there. The formula described above, namely an opening hook, 1–2 stories or examples, a value proposition, and a call to action, can be tailored for several aspects of your job search . You may choose to formulate an elevator pitch to describe your employment history, your skills specialty, your overarching motivation for practicing architecture, and more.
More broadly, elevator pitches have several valuable applications in architecture beyond job search settings. Stay tuned to upcoming editions of Archinect Tips for more examples.
Niall Patrick Walsh
Niall Patrick Walsh is an architect and journalist, living in Belfast, Ireland. He writes feature articles for Archinect and leads the Archinect In-Depth series. He is also a licensed architect in the UK and Ireland, having previously worked at BDP, one of the largest design + ...
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Connecting with your intimate partner takes skill..
Posted August 5, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer
Being in love with your intimate partner is one of the most beautiful human experiences, but intense feelings of love alone are not enough to sustain a relationship over time. Every relationship encounters challenges and moments of discord, even when partners are compatible, share values, and find each other attractive. It's important to recognize that conflict is a normal aspect of every relationship. For couples to grow and express love genuinely, they must intentionally learn and use effective communication and listening skills. Research consistently emphasizes the importance of interpersonal communication skills in maintaining healthy relationships.
Recent research underscores the critical role of communication in fostering love and intimacy in romantic relationships . Effective communication involves more than just exchanging words; it encompasses active listening, empathy, and emotional honesty, which together form the bedrock of emotional intimacy.
I would also like to add, it involves attention . Specifically, attending to the positive, which means you scan your relationship for something to celebrate or praise in your partner; focusing on what you admire and appreciate about your special person. And when you get in the habit of noticing and verbalizing the positives to your partner, your emotional bond will grow stronger. Conversely, expressing negative emotions can be beneficial for fostering authenticity , BUT it must be handled constructively to avoid damaging the relationship . We share, but avoid spewing negative feelings .
Clear and respectful communication is vital for building trust and emotional security in a relationship. Techniques such as using "I" statements, active listening, and avoiding blame are essential in preventing misunderstandings and fostering a supportive environment. These practices encourage partners to express their needs and feelings without fear of judgment, thus enhancing mutual understanding and connection.
Moreover, emotional intimacy is deeply intertwined with shared vulnerability . By openly sharing fears, hopes, and personal challenges, partners can deepen their emotional connection. This process requires a safe space where both partners feel comfortable being their authentic selves.
One deeper aspect of using communication skills is the effort involved. People typically invest effort in things and individuals they care about. In counseling, I frame the use of skills as a tangible demonstration of love. The use of communication skills are the evidence of care and commitment to each other. This goes beyond words; it's about creating an environment of emotional safety, essential for both strong and rocky relationships.
To effectively use communication skills, partners must shift their focus from critiquing each other to connecting . Instead of dwelling on what the other person could do better, consider what skills you can develop and apply in challenging moments. This shift in perspective is crucial for fostering a supportive and growth-oriented relationship environment.
This can be demanding and challenging for some. They may have become very comfortable with defensiveness and blame. So, when I come up to some resistance, I try to share some of the recent research findings about the powerful connection between love, intimacy, and well-being. Studies show that individuals in loving and supportive relationships report higher levels of happiness , life satisfaction, and overall well-being compared to those in less fulfilling relationships or those who are single.
For instance, a long-term study by Harvard researchers found that warm, loving relationships are one of the best predictors of long-term well-being across the lifespan. These relationships provide emotional support, increase feelings of security, and promote a sense of purpose, all of which are critical components of a fulfilling life.
Furthermore, intimate relationships offer a buffer against stress and contribute to better mental health. Being in a committed relationship, such as marriage or cohabitation, has been associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety . This is partly due to the social and emotional support provided by a partner, which helps individuals cope with life's challenges more effectively. Conversely, being in an unhappy or unstable relationship can negatively impact mental health, sometimes more severely than being single.
The benefits of intimacy extend beyond emotional support. Intimate relationships encourage healthy behaviors and provide practical support, such as assistance during illness, which can lead to better physical health outcomes. Additionally, the capacity for deep emotional connection and the ability to navigate relational conflicts are associated with greater psychological resilience and life satisfaction.
Effective communication also involves vulnerability. It's about lowering defenses and taking small risks to connect more deeply with your partner. When both partners engage in this process, they work as a team to build mutual trust and understanding. The following skills can help facilitate this process:
Effective communication and listening skills are foundational to sustaining and enriching intimate relationships. They are more than just practical tools; they are expressions of love and commitment. By investing effort into these skills, partners create a supportive environment where both individuals can thrive. Remember, love alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by the skills and willingness to navigate the complexities of a shared life.
[1] Bray, J. H., & Jouriles, E. N. (1995). Treatment of marital conflict and prevention of divorce. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy , 21, 461-473.
[2] Markman, H. J., Renick, M. J., Floyd, D. J., Stanley, S. M., & Clements, M. (1993). Preventing marital distress through communication and conflict management training: A 4- and 5-year follow-up. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology , 61, 70-77.
Dan Bates, Ph.D., is a clinical mental health counselor licensed in the state of Washington and certified nationally.
Sticking up for yourself is no easy task. But there are concrete skills you can use to hone your assertiveness and advocate for yourself.
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1) Hook: Description, illustration, narration or dialogue that pulls the reader into your paper topic. This should be interesting and specific. 2) Transition: Sentence that connects the hook with the thesis. 3) Thesis: Sentence (or two) that summarizes the overall main point of the paper.
Step 2: Write your initial answer. After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.
5. Just Start Writing. Sometimes the hook of your college essay isn't clear. Rather than getting hung up, start developing your essay and see if it adds clarity as to how to best implement a hook. Some students even find that it's easiest to write a hook last, after writing the body of the personal statement.
1. Hook (be creative in capturing your audience's attention) 2. Background information (or statements that connect the hook to the thesis) 3. Thesis EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT HOOKS Introduce the Controversy: Sometimes it is best to situate yourself within the conversation surrounding your topic early on. By starting your paper with the
Writing a compelling hook takes skill. But you can use any of the following ways of writing a hook to get you started: 1. The Surprising Statistic Hook. Presenting a surprising fact or statistic is a great way to grab the attention of your audience. For example, an essay on the orphan crisis may begin with:
Table of contents. Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Set the Scene. When wondering how to write a good hook for an essay, consider setting the scene. Open in the middle of a key moment, plunge in with vivid details and conversation to keep your essay flowing and attract the reader. Make the reader feel like they are seeing a moment from your life and have just tuned in.
2. Bold claim hook. When working on an argumentative essay, I always write with the mindset that nobody has the time to read my thoughts from start to finish.So, I have to get to the point quickly and make a solid argument worth people's time.. That's when opening with a bold claim works best. Condense all your views on the topic into a few thought-provoking lines that would make readers go ...
Hook vs lead-in transition to the thesis. As you can tell, writing a hook for an essay can be challenging enough on its own. However, it can be extra challenging when you confuse the hook with other important parts of your intro. For example, some writers confuse the hook with the lead-in transition to the thesis itself.
The hook is the very first thing your audience encounters. A good hook should be just one or two sentences. The goal of your hook is to introduce your reader to your broad topic in an interesting way and make your reader excited to read more. Even though your hook is at the very beginning of your essay, you should actually write your hook LAST!
Here's an example of the steps you can follow that help you outline your essay. First paragraph: Establish the thesis. Body paragraphs: Supporting evidence. Last paragraph: Conclusion with a restatement of the thesis. Revisit the first paragraph: Find the best hook. Obviously, the first step is to determine your thesis.
The essay introduction is the first part of an essay, and it contains a hook, a bridge, and a thesis.It also functions to provide an overview of the rest of the essay. It might not be the most ...
Strong Bridge: Connects Hook to Thesis. According to the Dalai Lama, "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.". Yet in Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Greg believes that his prime purpose is to take care of himself. Though he is occasionally friendly to his classmates, Greg only helps others when it benefits him.
7 Tips for Writing an Attention-Grabbing Hook. How do you get a reader interested in what you have to say? One technique is to use a great hook—an opening so exciting that it convinces a reader that your story is worth reading. How do you get a reader interested in what you have to say?
Writing a hook sentence and introducing a thesis statementIn this lesson, you will learn how to begin your response by first hooking the reader and then tell...
If that's the case, then you're hooked! You have read an introduction that has a good "hook.". The "hook" is the writer's way to attract your attention. It's not an empty hook. It is something that pulls you around to follow what the author wants you to follow closely, i.e., without you consciously knowing that you were ...
How to Hook Your Audience: Academic EssaysH. demic Essays State Online Writing Centerhook is a sentence or series of sentences that grab the attention of the reader and make them interest. d or curious about the essay's contents. All forms of w. iting can benefit from a captivating hook. Moreover, there are a variety of ways to capture a ...
The bridge connects your hook to the thesis statement by providing context and narrowing the focus. It smoothly transitions the reader from the broader topic introduced in the hook to the specific argument you'll be making. 3. Thesis Statement: ... Be sure to connect your hook to your thesis in a concise and clear manner.
Although we want to grab the reader's attention, it is important to connect your opening idea to your thesis statement.
Not so. You need to say that. You always need to state the connections between the evidence and your topic sentences, and between your topic sentences and your thesis. In working with students writing persuasive essays, I see this lack of connections all the time. To show the flow of connections, I draw arrows on students' essays.
Start with a one-line hook. The beginning of your elevator pitch should accomplish two things: summarize your work's ethos in one line, and do so in a way that engages the listener. If you are a graduate whose thesis involves urban farming, for example, your hook could be: "My work explores how urban farming can make cities more beautiful ...
PNSB Palau Fellowship Award Recipients Discuss Studying abroad and internships | August 7, 2024 | EPFM Studio
Key points. The use of skills is tangible evidence of your love and commitment to your partner. Know what you need before starting the conversation; think before you speak.