Make a bold statement that shocks the reader, the writing equivalent of a mic-drop moment. Ask a question. Start with an entertaining anecdote. Tell a playful joke. Share an interesting fact. Create a, How to Write a Hook. Here are the steps you can take to plan and organize your text and create an interesting hook: 1. Create an outline. The first step is to write the outline of your essay, lecture or article. An outline is a writing plan that can guide you in the following ways: Here are the key takeaways on how to write an essay introduction: 3. Hook the reader: Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention drive. It can be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant question or an anecdote. Provide context: Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and setting. An essay hook is an opening sentence or two at the beginning of an academic article to captivate the audience and motivate them to continue reading. But there's a catch: a hook in an essay is NOT an introduction. It opens up your introductory paragraph rather than replacing it. Writing hooks serve to attract attention and encourage the reader. No matter what you write, an effective hook will grab your reader's attention and draw them into your work. Learn how to write one and what to avoid.