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How to Write a Good Hook for a Research Paper
You won’t believe this, but it’s true. An insightful research paper without an excellent hook is the same as a poorly written research work. Your professor will not give you a top mark for your research paper writing task if you fail to use a great hook while writing your assignment.
If you want your research paper to have an impact, grab the attention of your audience at the onset. Make them want to read your paper. But what’s the trick?
It all begins in the introduction. You want to catch the reader’s attention, at the very beginning of your essay using a hook.
What is a Research Paper Hook?
Taken literally, a hook is a shiny metal bent back at an angle that fishermen use for catching fish.
In research paper writing, you are the fisherman and your audience, the fish. Your hook is the first 1 -2 sentences in your opening paragraph. You fail in your duty as a writer if these opening sentences can’t grab your readers’ attention. After all, your motive is to get readers for your work. But what happens when every person reads the first few lines and turns away?
An excellent hook is what makes an exciting introduction. Tempt your readers to want to find out more. Lure them into reading your piece.
Examples of Good Hooks For Research Papers
There are several types of hooks that you can use to make your paper interesting.
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Literary Quotes
The use of literary quotes is most commonly seen in research papers. You can quote authors, stories, books, or other literary works.
For example, start your essay with a quote from a book you want to review. It enables your readers to know you have already read it, thus establish your authority as a writer.
Also, assert your authority by using a quote from literature. It gives your research paper a fresh start.
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Use Famous Quotes
Writing a quote from a famous or influential person is a good way to create a hook. However, ensure that the hook you use is relevant. It should not go out of the topic because that would make your hook lose meaning.
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Asking a Question
Asking a question might be the absolute way to get your readers engaged. It intrigues the readers. They will want to read more in search of the answers.
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Clarifying a Common Misconception
You may start by claiming a common item people believe in as a false. Even so, you should have enough information gathered to support your claim.
Such an example is as follows;
“We tend to believe salty water is unclean and unhealthy. But the truth is, it is healthier than distilled water.”
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Write an Anecdote
Anecdotes are stories designed to explain the point you want to covey. The hook is popularly used in writing a descriptive or narrative essay.
There’s nothing wrong with a little of it to start your paper. But most students shy away from using anecdotes. They fear such phrases would shift the focus of the readers.
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Personal Stories
Personal stories are a perfect item to create a hook. A personal story makes the reader, align with your thoughts. They will want to read more to find out how the story connects with the essay.
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Use of Statistics
Statistics are more believable than plain text. Statistical data lets the readers know new facts they might not have known before.
Compare these two sentences:
“The Iceberg is very heavy,” and another that says, “The average iceberg weighs over 100,000 metric tons.”
The second one is more eye-catching, and a definite pick.
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Scenes
Scenes create a visual picture of the plot in your mind. When writing an analytical essay about a particular topic, scenes come in handy. Decide on a scene that would appeal to senses and set the mood for your essay.
How to Choose a Good Hook for Your Research Paper
There are so many types of essays. The right hook for your essay varies depending on what you are and what type of essay you are writing. There are two factors to consider when writing the right hook for your paper.
- The audience – For the hook to be relevant, it should match the readers you are targeting. Try to figure out the kind of topics that matter to your readers that will hence spike their interest. Use those topics to create the hook.
- The essay topic – The topic of the essay sets the goals of the text at the beginning. Your paper could vary from being descriptive to a Critical analysis essay. The mood set at the start of these two essays is different. So should be your hook.
Nobody wants to lose readers a few paragraphs into their essays. You do not want to get your reader bored by a lot of plain text. For this reason, a hook is indispensable. If you are stuck in writing your essay, maybe it’s time to seek help from our professional team of writers.
