Let’s look at how good writers start

their story.
“Darkness. That’s the first thing I remember. It was dark. It was cold
and I was scared. But then, I saw the moon. It was so big and it was
so bright. It seemed to chase the darkness away. And when it did, I
wasn’t scared anymore...
That’s what a great beginning does.
It gets you into the mood.
It gets you interested in what comes next.
It grabs your attention from the beginning.
Let’s watch the great beginning...
https://youtu.be/KTBCfba0moM
Stop at 1:26
William Edward "Bill" Joyce is an American author, illustrator, and filmmaker.
He is the creator of The Guardians of Childhood books and the executive
producer of the movie Rise of the Guardians.
Hooking the Reader
A Text Study
 Hooking the Reader
Roald Dahl starts the story by describing Matilda’s parents. They
are the main antagonists (together with Miss Trunchbull).
By describing them, the reader wants to know what will happen
when you live with such parents!

Metaphor – the most disgusting little blister

 describing Michael, their son
Do you want people to feel excited
when they read your story?
• The best way to do that is by using attention-grabbing
hooks or what we call an introduction.

What are some types of hooks or introductions?

Hook #1. The setting
Describe the place where your story
begins. Use sensory details. Use as many
senses as you can to describe the
immediate surroundings to the reader.
Tips: Use real-life locations, incorporate
figurative language and keep it short and
simple.
 Hook #1. The setting
If your story begins at home, then describe the room.
Picture 1 shows two boys playing ball. Describe the
living room before they were playing ball.

Example:
Two boys, Tom and Jerry, were home alone. Their parents were
attending a wedding. Within two hours, they had messed up the living
room. An empty bag of potato chips lay on the floor and there were
crumbs everywhere. Two cans of Coke were on the coffee table, with
spilt coke on it.
 Hook #2. Dialogue
Dialogue
Make sure it is interesting! It helps to build your
character from the very beginning.

Tom - mischievous and playful (he will think of a lie

to tell their parents!)
Jerry – sensible and honest (he will own up to his
mistake later)

Now your dialogue in the beginning (and later) MUST

show their character.
 Hook #2. Dialogue
Starting with a dialogue

Example:

“Tom! Stop throwing chips at me!” Jerry, Tom’s

brother shouted, blocking yet another flying chip with
his hands. “But there’s nothing else to do! This is fun!”
Tom replied cheekily. From the corner of his eye, he
noticed the ball that they had played with at the park
the previous day. He smiled and his eyes glinted as an
idea popped into his head.
 Hook #3. Sound Effect
(Onomatopoeia)
This creates a dramatic effect that makes your reader
want to find out what the sound is or why the word is
important. It brings your story alive!
Example:
Mee..ow! Mee..ow! Tom and Jerry’s cat, Mittens, darted to
another corner of the living room as Tom threw another potato chip at
her. When she knew she was out of sight from the mischievous Tom,
she curled up and went to sleep. Crunch! As Tom crushed another piece
of chip in his hand, the ball they had played with at the park the
previous day caught his eye.
 Hook #4. Ask a question
A question will get your reader thinking about your
story from the beginning.

Example:

If someone you love told a lie, would you support his lie or tell
the truth even if he could get into trouble? Jerry, a sensible and honest
boy, found himself in this situation one day.

That day, he was left home alone with his younger and
mischievous brother, Tom. ...(story continues)
 Hook #5. Action Lead
An action lead is starting with an exciting event or some
kind of action.

Example:

With the flick of his finger, a potato chip flew in Jerry’s direction.
It hit Jerry’s nose. Jerry glared at his younger brother, Tom. “This is fun!”
Tom declared cheekily. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the ball
that they had played with at the park the previous day. He smiled and
his eyes glinted as an idea popped into his head.
 Hook #5. Quotes / Wise sayings
Beginning with a famous quote will make your reader want
to know how your piece of writing relates to the quote.
You must do research to find a good quote and it must be
relevant to the theme.

Example:

Honesty is the best policy. Tom learnt this the hard way. He had
lied to his parents about an incident and when the truth came to light,
he was grounded and his hand phone was taken away for two whole
months! He will never forget his lesson. This was what happened...
Write a good hook to