Lesson 5 Using a Hook or Background Context

Lesson 5 Using a Hook or Background Context to Begin a Literary Essay 1

The hook or background context sentence is used at the beginning of an essay to arouse interest in reading your essay. 2

The hook or background context sentence is used at the beginning of an essay to arouse interest in reading your essay. Possible hooks or background contexts can be: 3

Something to interest the reader in the character. 4

Something to interest the reader in the character. This information may come from an outside source, a work that is separate from the literary work about which you are writing. 5

Something to interest the reader in the character. This information may come from an outside source, a work that is separate from the literary work about which you are writing. For example, a source for The Giver could be an essay on memory since The Giver is about memory. 6

Something to interest the reader in the character. This information may come from an outside source, a work that is separate from the literary work about which you are writing. For example, a source for The Giver could be an essay on memory since The Giver is about memory. 7

Some examples of hooks from outside sources on a variety of claims on different literary works are on the next two slides. 8

• As a teen, Bill Gates used to go dumpster diving at his workplace, seeking information; that's how he got his hands on some impressive source codes. (an essay on successful business people) 9

• As a teen, Bill Gates used to go dumpster diving at his workplace, seeking information; that's how he got his hands on some impressive source codes. (an essay on successful business people) • It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. (an essay on a narrative about a man entering into marriage) 10

• As a teen, Bill Gates used to go dumpster diving at his workplace, seeking information; that's how he got his hands on some impressive source codes. (an essay on successful business people) • It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. (an essay on a narrative about a man entering into marriage) • It was dark where she was crouched but the little girl did as she’d been told. (an essay on a suspenseful narrative) 11

• As a teen, Bill Gates used to go dumpster diving at his workplace, seeking information; that's how he got his hands on some impressive source codes. (an essay on successful business people) • It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. (an essay on a narrative about a man entering into marriage) • It was dark where she was crouched but the little girl did as she’d been told. (an essay on a suspenseful narrative) • Ghandi famously said, “Be the change you wish you see in the world. ” (an essay on global change) 12

Quote from the story on which you are basing your essay “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. ” Agree or not, but these words from The Alchemist determine…” 13

Quote from the story on which you are basing your essay “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. ” Agree or not, but these words from The Alchemist determine…” An Anecdote (a small part of the story) from the literary on which you are basing your essay “As my cousin and I pedaled our new bikes to the beach, 6 years old, suntanned and young, we met an old, shaggy-haired man weaving unsteadily on a battered old bike. ” 14

A Rhetorical Question “What would you do if you could play God for a day? That’s exactly what the leaders of the tiny island nation of Guam tried to answer. ” 15

A Rhetorical Question “What would you do if you could play God for a day? That’s exactly what the leaders of the tiny island nation of Guam tried to answer. ” Setting the Scene and Mood “The day of his birth began with Hurricane Charlie pounding at our door in Charleston, South Carolina. ” 16

A Reference to the Theme Love in Romeo and Juliet is a brutal, powerful emotion that captures individuals and catapults them against their world, and, at times, against themselves. 17

A Reference to the Theme Love in Romeo and Juliet is a brutal, powerful emotion that captures individuals and catapults them against their world, and, at times, against themselves. Something That The Reader Can Relate To Love is loyalty through good and bad times. 18

A Question or Puzzle That Will Arouse the Reader’s Curiosity 19

A Question or Puzzle That Will Arouse the Reader’s Curiosity This often prompts the reader to ask why, and then read on to find out why. 20

A Question or Puzzle That Will Arouse the Reader’s Curiosity This often prompts the reader to ask why, and then read on to find out why. Why is it that cats always land on their feet? 21

A Question or Puzzle That Will Arouse the Reader’s Curiosity This often prompts the reader to ask why, and then read on to find out why. Why is it that cats always land on their feet? What? You don’t like crunchy caterpillars on your pizza? 22

A Question or Puzzle That Will Arouse the Reader’s Curiosity This often prompts the reader to ask why, and then read on to find out why. Why is it that cats always land on their feet? What? You don’t like crunchy caterpillars on your pizza? The most unpopular kid in school is really the most popular; it’s just that nobody knows it yet. 23

A Very Brief Summary of the Story… No More Than 3 Sentences 24

A Very Brief Summary of the Story… No More Than 3 Sentences A well educated, middle aged, single woman gets rid of all of her worldly possessions to find out how her life will be different now that she knows all of who she is. 25

A Very Brief Summary of the Story… No More Than 3 Sentences A well educated, middle aged, single woman gets rid of all of her worldly possessions to find out how her life will be different now that she knows all of who she is. A young girl with the title of “gothic” must finds a way to save her little brother from the dangers of her cruel reality. 26

Now, with your group, write as many hooks as you can think of that would work for an essay on The Giver. 27

Now, with your group, write as many hooks as you can think of that would work for an essay on The Giver. You may want to use an essay on the creative brain that explains the importance of memory for your hook. 28

Now, with your group, write as many hooks as you can think of that would work for an essay on The Giver. You may want to use an essay on the creative brain that explains the importance of memory for your hook. Your teacher will give you a copy of the essay on the creative brain. 29