In this guide
The first sentence of an essay is called the hook, because its job is to catch the reader's attention and pull them in.
Many kids start every essay the same way: "In this essay I will tell you about..." It's clear, but it's not interesting. Here are seven better ways to begin.
1. Ask a question
A question makes the reader think of their own answer.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live without electricity for a week?
Tip: Ask a question the essay actually answers. And use this hook sometimes, not every time.
2. Share a surprising fact
A fact the reader didn't know makes them want to learn more.
An octopus has three hearts and blue blood.
Tip: Make sure the fact is true. Kids should be able to say where they learned it.
3. Tell a tiny story
Start with a short moment, just two or three sentences, that connects to the topic.
The bell rang, and thirty kids raced for the door. Ten minutes later, the same kids were red-cheeked, laughing and finally ready to sit still.
This works especially well for opinion essays and personal narratives.
4. Paint a picture
Use descriptive details to put the reader somewhere.
Snow drifts against the windows, the kettle whistles, and the whole house smells like cinnamon. Winter has arrived.
5. Make a bold statement
Start with a strong opinion that grabs attention.
Homework is stealing childhood, one worksheet at a time.
Tip: Bold is good, but the essay has to back it up.
6. Use a quote
A short quote from a person, a book or a saying can set the tone.
The poet Maya Angelou once said, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Those words fit art class perfectly.
Tip: Kids should copy quotes exactly and say who said them. If they aren't sure who said it, pick a different hook.
7. Speak to the reader
Use "you" to put the reader in the situation.
Imagine opening your lunchbox and finding a note that says, "You're amazing." How would you feel for the rest of the day?
After the hook: connect to the thesis
A hook alone isn't an introduction. After it, add one or two sentences of background, then the thesis: the main idea of the essay.
Hook: Have you ever wondered why teachers send students outside even on chilly days?
Background: Recess can look like a break from learning.
Thesis: In fact, recess helps students stay healthy, make friends and focus better in class.
See the full introduction structure in our five-paragraph essay guide.
Hooks to avoid
- "In this essay I will..." Announcing the essay instead of starting it.
- "Hi, my name is..." Essays aren't letters.
- Dictionary definitions. "Webster's dictionary defines friendship as..." is overused and rarely adds much.
- Questions with yes/no answers that end the conversation. "Do you like dogs?" "No." Now what?
Practice game: one topic, seven hooks
Pick one topic, such as "Why every kid should learn to swim." Challenge your child to write a hook using each of the seven types. Then choose the best one together. It's a quick, fun exercise that shows how much the first sentence can change the feel of an essay.
Try it: Write three different hooks for an essay about your favourite holiday.
Where this fits
A strong hook is part of a strong introduction, which sets up everything that follows. For the whole essay process, see how to teach kids to write essays. The Smart Little Writers program teaches kids to plan, write and polish complete essays in its final stage.