1. Introductions Grab the reader’s attention. (Hook) Provide a clear, connected lead-in to a paper’s main idea or thesis. What does the audience need to understand? (Bridge Info) Include a thesis that is stated or implied. (Thesis statement) Clearly imply an organizational structure for the paper. (Subpoints)

2. Lame Hooks I hope you enjoy… Hi, my name is… You are going to learn about… This essay/letter is about… I am going to tell you about… There are three reasons…

3. Awesome Hooks A writer may begin with: a brief history or overview Cedar River Middle School was built in 1967 with the hope of encouraging more families to move to Maple Valley. (+ bridge info and thesis with subpoints)

4. Awesome Hooks A writer may begin with: a scenario Picture this: you get home, and your front door is hanging open. There is green smoke billowing from an upstairs window. And then you see it—the alien spacecraft, crashed into your roof! (+ bridge info and thesis with subpoints)

5. Awesome Hooks A writer may begin with: an interesting fact Today, in 2015, 38% of 7 th grade boys claim that fashionable iguanas influence their hairstyle choices. (+ bridge info and thesis statement with subpoints)

6. Intro Example Today, in 2015, 38% of 7 th grade boys claim that fashionable iguanas influence their hairstyle choices. This is important, because before young men started turning to reptiles for style matters, several iguanas were on the verge of extinction because of loss of habitat. The sudden focus on these lizards as fashion icons has caused many people to learn new conservation techniques. In fact, using nature to help us make fashion choices is an incredibly green move because it helps us look at how nature has solved fashion issues, it encourages us to use conservations techniques for endangered species, and it helps the economy while helping the planet.

7. Intro Example Imagine this: you walk into your first day of 7 th grade at a new school, nervous and wondering if people will like you. You walk into language arts class, and see… a crazy lady making monkey noises and singing like a baboon! You notice the other kids are just as weirded out as you are, and suddenly you find yourself smiling at the other students. You have instant friends, because you all have to get through this weirdness together! And then you realize that if the teacher is so strange, you’re probably going to have a lot of fun in class. Our teacher, Ms. Zamba, with her crazy sound effects, weird facial expressions, and groovy dance moves, is weird—but we love her class!