“The Hook”

 

The Hook grabs the reader and makes a connection between purpose and audience.  Usually a brief description or narrative, the Hook is placed in the text where it has the most effect (introduction, body, conclusion).  To be most effective, the Hook should not be obvious.

 

 

Essays/Proposals

 

Introduction: Explain importance of problem and value of solution.  Only use here if “front-loaded”.  Precedes thesis.

 

Body/Argument: Explain what evidence means to the reader (Warrant).  Only use w/ most important support(s).

 

Conclusion: Explain importance of problem and value of solution.  Only use here if “back-loaded”.  Follows thesis.

 

 

Business/Technical

 

Always in Introduction:  Explains the value of the document to the reader.

 

 

Creative

 

Always at Beginning:  Gets the attention of the reader (unusual, timely, relevant).

 

 

In order to work, the author must understand the values of the reader and the relevance of the document.