Ideas for Attention Getters/Hooks
Strategy
1. Provide some interesting
background about the topic in
the form of a general statement
Examples
In1960s the United States, community colleges took off with
457 public community colleges opening up. Now there are
1,047.
2. Use a thought-provoking
quotation
According to Anthony Carnevale, the director of the Center
on Education and Workforce Development at Georgetown
University said, ”The modern economy continues to leave
Americans without a college degree behind.”
3. Ask a question about your
topic
Why are more and more employers looking for workers with
a college education?
4. State a surprising fact or a
puzzling statement
Many successful people went to community colleges like,
Walt Disney, astronaut Fred Haise, Supreme Court Justice
Arthur Goldberg, Costco CEO James Sinegal, and fashion
designer Calvin Klein.
5. Start with a short story
Imagine a family where the parents both work minimum
wage jobs. They struggle to pay rent and save for the future.
This is a reality for many families. Then imagine one of the
parents is able to go to college and get an associate’s degree,
helping them land a better job with benefits. That entire
family benefits and has a better chance in life. This is why
community colleges are so important.
6. State a common
misconception
Community colleges are sometimes viewed as not being as
good as four-year universities, but it is not a fair or accurate
judgement.
7. Describe a problem
The world is changing and more people need higher
education to get good jobs.
8. Give an analogy
Getting an associate’s degree is like planting a seed to grow
a bright future.
9. Show how the topic is related
to the reader’s experience
At one point or another, most people think about going to
college.