The Structure of a Great Hook

A hook is like an invitation into your writing, usually the first sentence or opening paragraph. A strong hook would sometimes pose an interesting question that makes the reader begin to wonder or even make a bold statement that challenges the norms. The whole purpose is to convince your readers to keep reading.  

Your hook will determine whether a reader goes further or disengages, and honestly, you don't have a lot of time or pages to do it; it must quickly grab attention and maintain interest, so you want to plunge right into the middle of an action. This helps to hold the reader’s interest.

Avoid unnecessary descriptions and fluff, they could deter your audience or present the whole book as boring. Your hook must be made of carefully selected words and a tone that gives a glimpse of what the entire piece promises. 

The actual magic of a hook is in its ability to ignite emotions. Be it intrigue, surprise, or empathy. At its best, your hook must stir some kind of emotional connection so that readers can't help but be invested. Imagine you're writing an article about the wonders of stargazing. Your hook could say, “The stars in the night sky seem to tell stories. But did you realise that those faraway lights hold ancient secrets?” Posing a question like this stirs some curiosity. 

A great hook is never irrelevant to the trope. Imagine seeing a movie trailer that shows action and adventure, but on seeing the movie, it turns out to be a romantic comedy. You'd feel a bit confused and disappointed, right? It's just like that with hooks. Make sure that your hook directly relates to the theme of your writing, or you risk confusing your readers.