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©2015 by Robin L. Simmons.
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ENC 1102,
Freshman Composition II
Writing Your
Hook
Everyone’s
paper will have
the same
organizational
pattern.
Structure for the Research Essay
Hook [Narrative]
Provocative Question
Thesis Statement
[separate paragraph]
Section A
Section B
Section C
Section D
[subheading
and 2 body
paragraphs]
[subheading
and 2 body
paragraphs]
[subheading
and 2 body
paragraphs]
[subheading
and 2 body
paragraphs]
True or False?
An introduction
is a single
paragraph.
Everyone will
start with a
hook, which is
the story of how
you became
interested in
your topic.
The hook will
become the
opening
paragraphs of
your essay.
But I thought I
wasn’t
supposed to
make an
appearance
in a research
essay!
Professional
writers
often make an
appearance in
real-world
research writing.
Your story can …
• Recount the situation of someone you
know
• Focus on a single important hour or two
from your life
• Explain events that occurred over a
longer period of time
• Describe a movie, TV show, classroom
experience, field trip, etc. that sparked
your interest
Your job is to …
• Tell a compelling story that will
hook the reader.
• End your narrative with a compelling
question, one that you will answer by
the end of your research.
• Let your reader see what happened to
inspire your interest.
• Not go over 450 words.
Remember
Barbara, who
wanted to write
about Hospice?
My grandfather passed away last year
after a long illness. At the very end, when
nothing else could be done for him,
Hospice was called in. At some point in
their lives, most people will experience
the death of a loved one—or they will
have to deal with their own mortality. I
feel it's important to be informed of what
the Hospice mission is and what
services this organization provides.
Here’s her
hook ...
Remember
Natacha, who
wanted to write
about premature
babies?
Our first son was born three months
premature, so I witnessed first-hand
the amazing medical advances
that allow preemies to survive. I want to
write my research essay on the
medicine and technology that help
these babies overcome the
complications of their early births.
Here’s her
hook ...
Remember
Mitch, who
wanted to write
about seatbelts?
I work as a firefighter
for Osceola County, and
every week I see people
injured —sometimes
dead —because they didn’t
buckle up. I want to write
my research essay on the
under appreciated
value of that simple nylon
belt that folks foolishly
neglect to strap across
their laps.
Here’s his
hook ...
First Page Concerns
• Insert MLA-style page numbering—your last
•
•
•
name and the page number, starting on the
first page.
Include a heading.
Give the paper an interesting, correct title.
 Do not underline your title.
 Do not add quotation marks around the
title.
 Capitalize all major words.
 Avoid funky fonts.
The __________ [Insert your subject]
would be a boring title for this essay.
Wrighter 1
Wanda Wrighter
Professor Simmons
ENC 1102
September 15, 2015
Franken Food:
What People Need to Know About GMOs
Take out a sheet
of paper. Write
the opening line
to your hook.
Then outline the
events of your
story.
In January 2001, I received what I believed was the best
news for the New Year.
I.
Jason was born three months early.
A. Two pounds at birth
B. Undeveloped lungs (in a neonatal incubator)
I.
He had severe physical problems.
A. hernia
B. CP
C. brain hemorrhage
I.
Medicine and technology saved his life.
II. He continues to make progress.
A typed draft of
your hook is due
at our next
class.
The END.