What is this “hook” that ELA teachers want students to start essays with?
A hook is any kind of information at the beginning of an essay which catches the reader’s attention and keeps the reader reading. Let’s look at a few from news stories (not feature stories) from the January 12th edition of The New York Times:
- “The Midwest Braces for a Blizzard, and More Severe Storms Will Slam the South.” People always want to know how approaching weather will affect them. This headline tells of extreme weather over a large section of the US, so it grabs readers’ attention.
- “What Was Ron DeSantis’s Campaign Strategy in Iowa?” Millions of Americans support the Florida governor’s efforts to win the Republican nomination, and millions more want to know what DeSantis is up to. This headline grabs readers’ attention.
- “Elton John’s First Auction in 21 Years Has It All: Boots to Banksy.” Elton John is a musician with millions of fans. An auction of his flamboyant clothes is like an auction of Princess Diana’s gowns, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime event. It entices readers.
News story headlines are good examples of what hooks should be. Editors put the most important information first, the information which they think will be most devoured by readers. This is called the inverted pyramid style. News stories start with the most important information, continue with details of less importance, and trail off with details of little importance.
To heighten reader interest, headlines use powerful verbs. In the first example above, the verbs “braces” and “slam” grab readers’ eyes. You “brace” against something powerful which has the power to “slam” you. Hmm. Let me read more.
Another technique to heighten interest is to ask a question—not a question which can be answered with a yes or a no, but a question which demands thought by the reader. The second example above does this when it asks what DeSantis’s campaign strategy was.
A third technique used in news story headline hooks is to name a celebrity whose very name will attract readers. Ron DeSantis and Elton John do this.
Using a precise number—like “21 years”—is another luring technique. There’s something honest about stating an exact number which also attracts readers.
Naming locations also attracts readers. The first example names the Midwest and the South. The second example names Iowa. Readers with connections to those locations are drawn to the news stories naming them.
Another technique to draw readers is to use a figure of speech that works. “From Boots to Bansky” shows alliteration.
“Boots to Bansky” also provokes curiosity. People who know Elton John know that his performing outfits, including his boots, are outrageous. But what about Bansky? What is Bansky? Why is Bansky named in the headline? Readers’ curiosity may draw them into the article to find out.
To conclude, news story headlines are good examples of hooks which draw readers into news stories.
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