Drafting Introductions

General Hooks  The purpose of a hook is to draw your reader in to what you have to say. You don't want the hook to sound too broad and anonymous. You want to one of the general hooks below in a creative, but thesis-connected way: 

1. Relevant quote

• From the subject of your essay (the 'prodigal son'; the abusive father; etc.)
• Type of relationship that the literature is exploring (father-son) 
• Or, a quote about family interactions
• theme/undertones that are important to the piece...

2. Personal anecdote with relevance to thesis

• Only if you can be brief and connect your example concisely to the theme and subject people in your analysis

3. Provocative and relevant question

• Something asked about the negative behavior of the person
• Something asked about a certain type of mistake

4. Specific Example that fit your subject (perhaps one you will actually bring back and expand on later in your body)

• from the text?
• from the larger world that relates to the text's person...

5. Relevant fact: particularly one that sets the tone and allows you to explore the fact specifically as it relates to your thesis.

Drafting an Introduction

1. Have your thesis and subtopics at least drafted and outlined; these ideas are your map directions!

2. Decide which type of hook most interests you. Do some brainstorming that helps you (including, looking on the Internet for a relevant quote or fact to help you out)

3. Once you have the type of hook you want and have some content to work with, start drafting your introduction paragraph (

• Aim for around 8-12 solid sentences, or
• 1/2 to 3/4 at most of first page for 750 word essays

Once I find my hook, I can draft my introduction

• When using a quote or a fact, it is good to start your hook off with a phrase that introduces where that quote/fact is coming from:

• (subject of essay/author source) once said, "..."

• According to ________, ...

• Or...try out your own introductory phrase that gives context to the quote/hook!