Introductions: Hook, Line, and Sinker 7th Grade Writing

Introductions First paragraph in your essay Grabs reader’s attention Gives a preview of the paper

Introduction Tips Don’t say too much! Don’t give away what you’re going to say - no summaries You only get one chance to make a first impression

The phrase Hook, Line, and Sinker means completely The phrase Hook, Line, and Sinker means completely. We want to get the reader’s complete attention! Hook Lure the reader in Line Reel in your hooked reader Sinker Keep the reader engulfed in your entire paper

Hook Lure the reader in with a Hook Announcement Opinion Quotation Personal Experience Figurative Language Startling Fact Bold Statement

Announcement Do This! Not this… Open with an announcement about what is to come. The day we found my dog Ginger is a day I’ll never forget. My mother told me I would get in trouble if I sneaked out the house, but I had to find out for myself. Do not insult the reader by telling him exactly what he’s about to read. I’m going to tell you about a time when…

If you write it, we know it’s YOUR opinion. Do this! Not this… Open with your opinion. The dentist’s office is absolutely the worst place on earth! No one should ever have to share a bathroom with an older sister. Your opinion must be on-topic Don’t explicitly say what your opinion is. In my opinion… I think that… If you write it, we know it’s YOUR opinion.

Quotation Open with a famous quotation or a quote from someone you know. When I was younger, my mom always told me, “Tell the truth, shame the devil.”

Personal Experience A personal experience is something that has happened to you. It could be part of the story or it could just relate to the topic Racing down the street on my bike, I looked up and saw the parked car, but by the time I tried to apply the brakes, I was already crashing.

Figurative Language Begin with a simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, or alliteration I would rather burn to death than visit the dentist ever again! Parents are just ants at a picnic. The terrifying teacher taunted the teenagers.

Startling Fact Interest your reader by sharing a surprising piece of information related to your topic According to the EPA, each American throws out 4.4 pounds of trash every single day.

Boys who don’t open doors for ladies are destined to go to prison. Bold Statement Make a bold or challenging statement to shock the reader If we do not take a stand on pollution now, in twenty years we will no longer have a planet to live on. Boys who don’t open doors for ladies are destined to go to prison.

Avoid This DON’T write these! I’m going to write about… I’m not sure if this is right, but I think… A time when I ______ was when … I don’t know what to write …

Line The line is how you connect to your audience Use your line to reel your audience in

Sample Line Hook: Parents don’t understand what it’s like to be a kid these days. Line: As kids, we have so many issues to deal with that children from back in the day don’t. The line connects to the audience and reels them into the rest of the paper

This line connects to the reader by sharing that everyone has fears Sample Line Hook: I never thought I would be afraid to stay the night away from home until last summer. Line: Everyone gets afraid every now and then; we just have to face our fears. This line connects to the reader by sharing that everyone has fears

Sinker The sinker is the main idea of the story - fancy name = thesis Statement of what your paper wants to prove Last sentence of introduction (first paragraph)

Sample Hook, Line, and Sinker Hook: “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are,” e. e. cummings wrote. Line: The wise words of e. e. cummings show us how important it is to follow our dreams. Sinker: Courage to follow your dreams can take you where you never thought you’d go in life.

Sample Hook, Line, and Sinker Hook: I once read on a Snapple cap that in 1860, Abraham Lincoln grew a beard at the suggestion of an 11-year-old girl. Line: If Lincoln’s famous beard was the suggestion of a preteen girl, who knows what other great ideas children have. Sinker: Even though I’m young, I have great ideas

Sample Hook, Line, and Sinker Hook: The world doesn’t need another McDonald’s. Line: So many people choose convenient fast food options like McDonald’s over healthy dining options. Sinker: Families should cut out fast food and spend more time making healthy meals together.

Sinker Sinker help! Try turning the prompt into a statement of what you’re trying to prove. Prompt: Tell a story about a time you learned how to do something new. Sinker: Learning how to cook was one of the most thrilling, yet dangerous moments of my life.

Let’s Practice! Try making a hook, line, and sinker for the prompts below: Tell a story about a time when you felt proud of yourself. Tell a story about a time when someone did something unexpected for you. Explain why it is important to treat others with kindness.