Engaging Hooks

In order for a hook to be effective, it must ALWAYS...

• ... be funny.

• ... use a quote.

• ... be specific, relevant and attention grabbing.

• ... use facts and statistics.

Which is the most specific, attention-grabbing and relevant hook for this motion and argument?

• In 2015, there were hundreds of different video games available.

• People spend lots of money each year on entertainment.

• In 2015, Americans purchased a staggering 23.5 billion dollars worth of video games.

Which is the most specific, relevant and attention-grabbing hook for this motion and argument?

• Teachers inspire curiosity, teach important skills like teamwork and change the way students see the world.

• Throughout any school day, children spent most of their time around teachers.

• Elementary school children often learn as much from each other as they do from their textbooks.

Which is the most specific, relevant and attention-grabbing hook for this motion and argument?

• People need to learn things.

• Teamwork, problem-solving and resilience learnt in after school clubs are crucial to a child's success.

• There are many famous athletes who are role models for children.

Which is the most specific, relevant and attention-grabbing hook for this motion and argument?

• A protester, in the middle of a passionate and excited crowd of people chanting and singing, takes out their phone, films history changing, and then with a simple click of a button sends it to a reporter.

• A protester marches with a huge crowd holding homemade signs.

• A father takes out his iPhone and films his daughter before sending to his wife.

Which is the most specific, relevant and attention-grabbing hook for this motion and argument?

• According to computer scientist Andrew Essex, "Technology not only helps students learn more, it also makes education much, much more fun."

• Alan Kay, businessman, once said, "Technology is anything that wasn't around when you were born."

• According to composer Libby Larson, "The great myth of our times is that technology is communication."

What's the problem with this hook?

• It is not specific enough.

• It is not relevant to the argument.

• It fails to grab the audience's attention.

What's the problem with this hook?

• It is not specific enough.

• It is not relevant to the argument.

• It fails to grab the audience's attention.

What's the problem with this hook?

• It is not specific enough.

• It is not relevant for either the motion or argument.

• It fails to grab the audience's attention.

A pupil is writing a speech about plastic pollution. They want to use a hook that uses alliteration. Which hook should they choose?

• Ever wondered how much plastic is thrown into the ocean every minute?

• Plastic pollution is a monster hiding in plain sight.

• Plastic contamination puts people's choices in perspective.