Effective Hooks Lesson

In order for a hook to be effective, it must ALWAYS...

• ... be funny.

• ... use a quote.

• ... be specific, relevant and attention grabbing.

• ... use facts and statistics.

Which is the most specific, attention-grabbing and relevant hook for this motion and argument?

• In 2015, there were hundreds of different video games available.

• People spend lots of money each year on entertainment.

• In 2015, Americans purchased a staggering 23.5 billion dollars worth of video games.

Which is the most specific, relevant and attention-grabbing hook for this motion and argument?

• Teachers inspire curiosity, teach important skills like teamwork and change the way students see the world.

• Throughout any school day, children spent most of their time around teachers.

• Elementary school children often learn as much from each other as they do from their textbooks.

Which is the most specific, relevant and attention-grabbing hook for this motion and argument?

• People need to learn things.

• Teamwork, problem-solving and resilience learnt in after school clubs are crucial to a child's success.

• There are many famous athletes who are role models for children.

Is this an effective hook that you could use in your writing?

The school is legally responsible to serve one meal per day, but can the slop they call lunch actually be considered food?

• yes

• no

Is this an effective hook that you could use in your writing?

If you're looking for beautiful scenery, relaxing breezes, and delicious food, then look no further than Fiji!

• Yes

• No

Is this a hook?

Don't use that soap! Over 40 brands of popular hand soap have been found to contain fecal matter!

• Yes

• No

Which is the most specific, relevant and attention-grabbing hook for this motion and argument?

• A protester, in the middle of a passionate and excited crowd of people chanting and singing, takes out their phone, films history changing, and then with a simple click of a button sends it to a reporter.

• A protester marches with a huge crowd holding homemade signs.

• A father takes out his iPhone and films his daughter before sending to his wife.

Which is the most specific, relevant and attention-grabbing hook for this motion and argument?

• According to computer scientist Andrew Essex, "Technology not only helps students learn more, it also makes education much, much more fun."

• Alan Kay, businessman, once said, "Technology is anything that wasn't around when you were born."

• According to composer Libby Larson, "The great myth of our times is that technology is communication."

What's the problem with this hook?

• It is not specific enough.

• It is not relevant to the argument.

• It fails to grab the audience's attention.