Challenge #3
Practice more memorable creative hooks.
You have about 5 seconds to capture your reader’s attention before they move on to something more interesting. Wow them
with a more memorable hook.
For reference, please watch this “Creative Hooks” lesson before you complete this challenge.
Click here for our powerpoint so you can see all of the creative hook examples.
DIRECTIONS:
Step 1: Choose any topic in the world FROM THIS LIST OF QUESTIONS. You will NOT be writing an entire article in response to this question. You are only choosing a topic for the sake of this creative hook activity. Of course you are welcome to use this as inspiration for your next article if you wish!
(YOU CAN ONLY CHOOSE ONE TOPIC FOR THIS ENTIRE HOOK CHALLENGE).
Step 2: Create a fresh Google Doc to practice writing creative hooks. You can create a new doc on any assignment in the Google Classroom or just create it on your own Google Drive. At the top of the document, copy/paste your topic/question from step 1.
Step 3: Create a table with 2 columns and 7 rows.
In the left column you will write all the TYPES of creative hooks. In the right column is where you will write your creative hooks.
#1: Jump into a story/anecdote (this can either be a personal story or something you find on internet OR something you completely make up)
#2: Start with a problem you are facing or the world is facing
#3: Make a humorous or ironic statement that provokes thought in the reader
#4: Start with a thought-provoking question, not an empty question
#5: Open with a quote in a way that doesn’t just “plop it in” but weaves it into your own ideas
#6: Open with data/statistics/facts in a way that doesn’t just “plop it in” but weaves it into your own ideas
#7: Simpy start with “WHO/WHAT/WHERE/WHEN/WHY”
Step 4: Practice writing a variety of different creative hooks with your topic. ALL HOOKS WILL BE FOR THE SAME TOPIC.
A creative hook can be 1-3 sentences (or even 2 paragraphs depending on how complex & creative you want your hook to be).
Step 5: Implement more memorable creative hooks in your current article. Go to whatever article you are working on at the moment and see if you can add more pizzazz to your introduction.
Pro Tip
Whenever you write an article, draft a variety of different creative hooks so you can choose from the best one.