First: Hook Strategies story/anecdote question(s) followed by an answer a detailed description (using imagery) Imagine if/that... interesting/startling statistics quotes (real quotes, not made up, from someone well-known) intriguing example challenge commonly held beliefs/ perceptions dialogue (made-up)
Hook: Story from "Going, Going, GONE to the Auction!" by Laurie Goering Mike Cantlon remembers coming across his first auction ten years ago while cruising the back roads of Wisconsin. He parked his car and wandered into the crowd, toward the auctioneer's singsong chant and wafting smell of barbecued sandwiches. Hours later, Cantlon emerged lugging a $22 beam drill (for constructing postand-beam barns) and a passion for auctions that has clung like a cocklebur on an old saddle blanket. "It's an addiction," says Cantlon, a financial planner and one of the growing number of auction fanatics for whom Saturdays will never be the same.
Hook: Question from The Future Is Now by Zachary Humenik What do you think the future will hold? Flying cars? Robots that do your homework? Humans living on Mars? In 1989, director Robert Zemeckis created a movie about the future he envisioned. The film, called Back to the Future Part II, was the second in a series of three. It told the story of Marty McFly and his kooky companion, Doc Brown, as they traveled through time to save Marty and his family from Marty s nemesis, Biff Tannen. The far off future they encountered was October 21, 2015. In other words, today.
Hook: Question Did you know that 85% of teens do not get the suggested amount of sleep? Would you happen to be in that 85%? If so, Mr. Bushelman has noticed. He came to the school newspaper to ask us to write an article over ways to get more sleep because, lately, he has noticed more referrals over sleeping in class. So, here are some ways to help you get more sleep at night.
Hook: Interesting/Startling Statistic from How Much Does Halloween Cost Us by Stephanie Kraus How much money will Americans spend on Halloween this year? If you guessed $7 billion, you re (probably) right. That s a lot of candy, but it s actually a little less than the amount we spent on All Hallow s Eve last year. Scary, right? According to the National Retail Federation, last year s spending was $77.52 per person. This year it is expected to drop to $74.34 per person.
Hook: Quote A wise man once said, "Carpe Diem," which means "seize the day." Now, why didn't he state "seize the night" as well? According to a recent survey, only 14% of teens receive enough sleep on weeknights. This means that 86% of teenagers are not getting enough sleep these days. Sleep deprivation causes lower grades, depression, fatigue (obviously), and possibly bad choices. Therefore, we, as South Warren Middle School Spartans, should overcome sleep deprivation. There are many ways to improve your sleeping habits.
Hook: Dialogue "Ooooaaah! I'm tired!" Does this sound familiar? I'm sure it does. Sleep is a good thing; it's healthy, and you should get plenty of it. But not at school! Have YOU ever felt sleepy in class? Well, that needs to stop! If you get the right amount of sleep, you feel better during the day, and if you don't get good sleep, you don't do things right and you start failing tests or saying stupid things when trying to answer question. Plus, Mr. Bushelman has noticed an increase in referrals written for students that have fallen asleep in class. You need to get more sleep at home. You can help yourself from not getting these referrals by following some simple suggestions.
Hook: Description from Earthquake Rocks Afghanistan by Brian McGrath For almost two minutes, buildings shook, walls cracked, and cars tumbled in the streets. People poured out of businesses and homes as a powerful earthquake rocked Northern Afghanistan and Pakistan on Monday. At a magnitude of 7.5, the quake was the strongest in recent decades to hit a region already torn by poverty and war.
Hook: Imagine if/that... from Kalamazoo Valley Community College Imagine that you are in an elevator with the one person who can make your next career move possible. You have about 30 seconds to convince this person that you are right for the job. What would you say? This is the premise behind the elevator pitch, or the 30-60 second commercial, and is a way to introduce who you are as a professional to any new person.
Hook: Intriguing Example from Star Light, Star Bright by Evelyn Burns It was a great night for stargazing. On Monday, October 19, I went to the White House to attend the second-ever White House Astronomy Night. Hundreds of students, teachers, astronomers, scientists, and space enthusiasts gathered on the South Lawn for this special event. The goal: To spark young people s interest in STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, and math.
Hook: Challenge Common Beliefs from Need Milk? by Kyla Oliver Drink your milk. It s good for you! You ve probably heard that many times, and it s true. Milk contains calcium, which is a necessary nutrient for keeping bones and teeth healthy and strong. The U.S. government even requires milk as part of the National School Lunch Program, saying that students should drink one cup of fat-free or lowfat milk at each meal. Last Thursday, however, a group of doctors asked the government to remove milk from the lunch program. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) says, Milk is high in sugar, high in fat and high in animal protein, all of which have negative effects on health. The PCRM says there are better and healthier ways to get calcium.