You’ve crafted the perfect thesis statement, topic sentences for your body paragraphs, and now it’s time to finish the draft off with a strong conclusion…
…or not. Why waste all that effort writing a great introduction only to have your essay fizzle out at the end? If you want to make sure your essay hooks the reader from start to finish, you need some strong essay hook examples to get you started.
Here are 25 awesome essay hook examples, both in fiction and non-fiction, that will hopefully inspire you to find your own perfect way to start an essay:
A surprising fact or statistic hook
Some writers use statistics or other numerical data as a way to “hook” readers into their piece. By starting with a shocking or surprising statistic, they can immediately capture attention and pique curiosity. This can be an effective strategy, but it’s important to make sure that the statistic is relevant to the rest of the article and that it’s coming from a credible source. Otherwise, it can seem like the writer is just trying to manipulate readers for clicks or attention.
Here are some of the surprising and statistic hook examples you may find interesting:
- According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but 65% report averaging 6 hours or less.
- You might be surprised to know that, out of all the animals in the world, humans are actually the second-best at long-distance running.
- The average person spends about one year of their life on the toilet.
- Americans spend more money on lottery tickets than they do on books, movies, and music combined.
- Men are twice as likely as women to be struck by lightning.
A fascinating story or anecdote hook
If you’re writing a personal essay or reflective piece, a story hook can be an effective way to draw readers in. By sharing a brief story or anecdote about yourself, you can give them a glimpse into your life and personality that they might not otherwise get.
A fascinating story or anecdote can be a great way to hook your readers and keep them engaged. Here are some examples:
- When I was eight years old, I went through a phase where I wanted to be a professional wrestler. My parents humored me and bought me a wrestling costume, and for months I practiced my moves on anyone who would let me. One day, I challenged my neighbor’s son to a match in his backyard. He was twice my size, but I was determined to take him down. Unfortunately, he ended up taking me down – hard. I hit my head on the concrete and was knocked unconscious. When I came to, I was surrounded by my worried family. That was the day I realized that professional wrestling was not for me.
- I always loved animals, but I never thought I would end up working with them. After college, I took a job at a local zoo and fell in love with it.
- I never thought I would be interested in fashion, but after working in the industry for a few years, I realized that it was my true passion.
- When I was younger, I always loved spending time with my grandparents. They would tell me stories about their lives, and I would listen eagerly. I never imagined that one day I would be able to tell my own grandchildren stories about my life. But now, as a grandfather myself, I can do just that.
- “When I was four years old, I decided that I wanted to be a doctor. My parents took me to the hospital and showed me around. I was so fascinated by all the machines and people in scrubs running around that I immediately knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life.”
A thought-provoking question hook
A thought-provoking question hook can be a great way to engage your reader and get them thinking about your topic. Here are some examples of questions that could be used as hooks:
- Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world without laws? In a world where people could do whatever they wanted, regardless of the consequences?
- How would the world be different if everyone was honest all the time?
- What would happen if we could never lie?
- How would our lives change if we didn’t have any secrets?
- How would the world be different if there was no such thing as money?
An interesting quote hook
If you’re writing about a particular person or event, an interesting quote can be a great way to pique your reader’s interest. Here are some examples:
A vivid description hook
If you’re writing about a place or thing, a vivid description can be a great way to hook your reader. Here are some examples:
- The first time I saw the Grand Canyon, I was awestruck. The vastness of the canyon and the beauty of the colors were unlike anything I had ever seen before.
- The sound of the waves crashing against the shore is one of my favorite things in the world.
- The smell of freshly-baked cookies always takes me back to my childhood.
- No matter how many times I see it, the sight of the sunset never fails to take my breath away.
- The sun had been beating down on my skin for hours, and I was starting to feel the familiar itch of a sunburn. The sand was hot and gritty under my feet as I walked, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was almost hypnotic.
Conclusion
An interesting hook can be a great way to get your readers interested in your writing. Whether you use a quotation, a question, or a description, make sure that it is something that will pique your reader’s interest and get them thinking about your topic.
