How to Teach Hook Writing
There is no single strategy for writing a hook. Hooks can use descriptive language, humor, clever phrasing, action, foreshadowing and many other techniques to lure the reader in. The best way to teach students to write hooks is to revisit the idea frequently throughout the year, cultivating an awareness of what makes a good hook.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pens
- Pencils
- Copy of "The Tell-Tale Heart"
- Roald Dahl Stories
- Newspaper Articles
- Magazine Articles
- Dry Erase Board
- Dry Erase Markers
Instructions
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1
Start by reading a good hook from a piece of fiction. Pretty much anything by Roald Dahl will work very well. For older readers, "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe is an excellent choice.
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Ask the students if the hook would make them want to read the story. Discuss why or why not? What about it works or doesn't work?
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3
Read the students another hook from a different sort of writing. For example, you might find a clipping from a newspaper or magazine article and read the first line.
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Compare the hooks and what they do to pull you in. Ask the students if they have any other examples of ways a piece of writing can hook the reader.
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5
Have your students quote or bring in a story or article with a good hook. Each student should explain how the hook pulls him in and what he likes about it.
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6
Have your students write a story with five different hooks. Each should share her story with the class. Then, the class should discuss which is the best hook or what the virtues are of each.
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Throughout the year, have your students write multiple hooks for all of their writing projects. They can either discuss them with a small group or the class as a whole.
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Tips & Warnings
Try having a contest about hooks. Write a short story as a class. Then have each student come up with a hook to begin it. Vote on the best one.
