The Hook
What is “THE HOOK?”
The Hook is…
Beginning
a piece of writing that
engages or “hooks” the reader.
It should be easy to read, attract
attention and introduce the topic.
It should not include the main idea.
A Hook could be…
A
question
An exclamation
Onomatopoeia
An amazing fact
A hook using a question
Do you want to ride a
Rhinoceros? Here’s what you
need; a ladder, scarf, feather, a
long stick, bag of popcorn,tree,
and a rhinoceros.
A hook using an exclamation
Look at Christina riding the
rhinoceros! To get on the rhinoceros
first, she had to carry the ladder to
the rhinoceros. Next, she had to
climb the ladder. Then, she had to put
a scarf around the rhinoceros’ neck.
Finally, she sat down and held on.

A hook using onomatopoeia
Thump, thump, thump. Wouldn’t
you like to ride a rhinoceros? Here is
how you do it. First, say, “Please, let’s
go.” Then, tickle the rhinoceros with
the feather. After that, give the
rhinoceros some popcorn. Finally,
hold on.

This is a hook using an amazing
statement.
A rhinoceros is a huge wild animal weighing
in at **** pounds. A person would not really ride
a rhinoceros but if I could this is how I would
steer it: First, I would put some popcorn on
the stick. Then, I would point the stick left to
turn left and point the stick right to turn right.
Here is an important WARNING: do not try to
back up. Backing up could be dangerous.

Which paragraph is more
exciting?
Carry the ladder to
the rhinoceros. Climb
the ladder. Put the
scarf around the
rhinoceros’ neck. Sit
down and hold on.
Look at Christina riding
the rhinoceros! To get on
the rhinoceros first, she
had to carry the ladder to
the rhinoceros. Next, she
had to climb the ladder.
Then, she had to put a scarf
around the rhinoceros’ neck.
Finally, she sat down and
held on.
That’s right! The one with the hook!
Carry the ladder to
the rhinoceros. Climb
the ladder. Put the
scarf around the
rhinoceros’ neck. Sit
down and hold on.
Look at Christina riding
the rhinoceros! To get on
the rhinoceros first, she
had to carry the ladder to
the rhinoceros. Next, she
had to climb the ladder.
Then, she had to put a scarf
around the rhinoceros’ neck.
Finally, she sat down and
held on.
Remember when you start your
writing piece to:
Hook
A
your reader with:
question
An exclamation
Onomatopoeia
An amazing
fact
Now you try!
Using
a picture write a hook.
Remember a hook is:
A question
An exclamation
Onomatopoeia
An amazing fact
Share your hook
Get
with a partner.
Show your partner your picture.
Let your reader (your partner) read the
hook you have written.
Decide if you have hooked the reader.
If you have not hooked your reader, work
with your partner to write another hook!
Remember engage your reader.
Use a
HOOK!!