essay attention getter

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How to Write an Attention Getter

Last Updated: June 18, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA . Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 356,888 times.

Attention-grabbing introductions can draw your reader in and encourage them to keep reading. They help to set the tone and establish the narrative voice early on in an essay, a paper, or a speech. Grab the reader’s attention by opening with a quote or fact. Asking a question or presenting a strong statement can help keep your reader engaged. You can also use storytelling to get their attention and draw them in.

Opening with a Quote, Definition, or Fact

• For example, you may pick a bold quote from a play by Shakespeare you are discussing to open the essay so your reader is drawn in. You may write, “Early in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the troubled prince notes: ‘This above all: to thine own self be true.’ Themes of identity and self-hood appear many times throughout the play.”
• Always cite any quotes you use in your introduction using the proper citation style, according to your instructor’s requirements for your paper or essay.

• For example, you may write, “In Shakespeare’s Othello , love is not blind, it is all seeing. As Othello notes, ‘For she had eyes and she chose me.’”

• For example, you may write, “Every year, 25,000 people die due to drunk driving in the United States” or “One in five women will be raped in the United States.”

• For example, you may write, “When the city gentrifies an area, it renovates and improves a neighborhood so it conforms to middle-class tastes.” Or you may write, “When an area is gentrified, it becomes more refined and polite for some, but not all.”

Beginning with a Question or Statement

• For example, you may use a question like, “What if we lived in a world where women were not constantly under threat of violence?” or “Why shouldn’t everyone have access to free healthcare in America?”

• For example, rather than start with a question like, “Have you ever thought about the consequences of your actions?” you may rephrase it as, “Why is it important to consider the consequences of our actions?”

• For example, you may write, “Shakespeare’s Othello is a play about the doomed nature of love and the power of desire.” Or you may write, “Drunk driving is an epidemic in America that seems to only get worse every year.”

• For example, you may write, “I believe our country needs to acknowledge fundamental issues in its democracy” or “From my perspective, there is no need to have multiple political parties in a democracy.”

• For example, you may write, “Right-wing conservatives believe immigrants are to blame for many of the issues facing America today. I am going to explore how and why this position is flawed.”

• For example, you may write, “I am been fascinated with death since I was 16” or “There is no greater joy to me than an empty bed where I can be alone, away from the world.”

Using Storytelling

• For example, you may write, “The other day in the supermarket, I heard a child talking to his mother. ‘Why aren’t we getting the ones with marshmallows in them?’ he demanded, pointing at the boxes of cereal. He threw a tantrum in the aisle until his mother relented, throwing the sugary cereal into their cart. Standing in the aisle, watching the child, I couldn’t help but think about how children’s diets are becoming more and more unhealthy.”

• For example, you may take a fact about drunk driving and write a short story like, “The young driver cranks up the stereo and grins as he thinks about the fun he had at the house party, plenty of cold beer and shots of whiskey. Suddenly, a tree appears ahead. He’s swerved off the road and it’s too late. The police later find him dead in the car due to driving while under the influence.”

• For example, if you are writing about eating disorders in fashion, you may describe your own experiences with body image. You may write, “Flipping through my mother’s fashion magazines, I learned at a young age that being skinny was glamorous and desirable. This “fact” would haunt me into my teenage years, as I struggled with my weight and body image.”

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• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-hook/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/cliches/
• ↑ https://www.csuchico.edu/slc/_assets/documents/writing-center-handouts/how-to-write-an-introduction.pdf
• ↑ https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/tlc/_documents/hooks_and_attention_grabbers.pdf
• ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-publicspeaking/chapter/types-of-introductions/
• ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-communications/chapter/introduction/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/narrative_essays.html
• ↑ https://www.esu.edu/writing-studio/guides/hook.cfm
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/attention-getters-for-speeches

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9.2 The Attention-Getter: The First Step of an Introduction

Learning objectives.

• Understand the different tools speakers can use to gain their audience’s attention.
• Name some common mistakes speakers make in trying to gain attention.

Stephen Velasco – IMG_1422 – CC BY-NC 2.0.

As you know by now, a good introduction will capture an audience’s attention, while a bad introduction can turn an audience against a speaker. An attention-getter is the device a speaker uses at the beginning of a speech to capture an audience’s interest and make them interested in the speech’s topic. Typically, there are four things to consider in choosing a specific attention-getting device:

• Appropriateness or relevance to audience
• Purpose of speech

First, when selecting an attention-getting device, you want to make sure that the option you choose is actually appropriate and relevant to your specific audience. Different audiences will have different backgrounds and knowledge, so you should use your audience analysis to determine whether specific information you plan on using would be appropriate for a specific audience. For example, if you’re giving a speech on family units to a group of individuals over the age of sixty-five, starting your speech with a reference to the television show Gossip Girl may not be the best idea because the television show may not be relevant to that audience.

Second, you need to consider the basic purpose of your speech. As discussed earlier in this text, there are three basic purposes you can have for giving a speech: to inform, to persuade, and to entertain. When selecting an attention-getter, you want to make sure that you select one that corresponds with your basic purpose. If your goal is to entertain an audience, then starting a speech with a quotation about how many people are dying in Africa each day from malnutrition may not be the best way to get your audience’s attention. Remember, one of the basic goals of an introduction is to prepare your audience for your speech. If your attention-getter differs drastically in tone from the rest of your speech (e.g., dying in Africa when you want your audience to laugh), the disjointedness may cause your audience to become confused or tune you out completely.

Your third basic consideration when picking an attention-getting device is your speech topic. Ideally, your attention-getting device should have a relevant connection to your speech. Imagine if a speaker pulled condoms out of his pocket, yelled “Free sex!” and threw the condoms at the audience in the beginning of a speech about the economy. While this may clearly get the audience’s attention, this isn’t really a good way to prepare an audience for a speech about bull and bear markets. Not every attention-getter is appropriate for a given topic. Instead, a speaker could start this speech by explaining that “according to a 2004 episode of 60 Minutes, adults in the United States spend approximately $10 billion annually on adult entertainment, which is roughly the equivalent to the amounts they spend attending professional sporting events, buying music, or going out to the movies” (Leung, 2004). Notice how effective the shocking statistic is in clearly introducing the monetary value of the adult entertainment industry.

The last consideration when picking an attention-getting device involves the speech occasion. Different occasions will necessitate different tones, or particular styles or manners of speaking. For example, a persuasive speech about death and dying shouldn’t be happy and hilarious. An informative speech on the benefits of laughing shouldn’t be dull, dreary, and depressing. When selecting an attention-getter, you want to make sure that the attention-getter sets the tone for the speech.

Now that we’ve explored the four major considerations you must think of when selecting an attention-getter, let’s look at a range of different attention-getters you may employ. Miller (1946) discovered that speakers tend to use one of eleven attention-getting devices when starting a speech. The rest of this section is going to examine these eleven attention-getting devices.

Reference to Subject

The first attention-getting method to consider is to tell your audience the subject of your speech. This device is probably the most direct, but it may also be the least interesting of the possible attention-getters. Here’s an example:

We are surrounded by statistical information in today’s world, so understanding statistics is becoming paramount to citizenship in the twenty-first century.

This sentence explicitly tells an audience that the speech they are about to hear is about the importance of understanding statistics. While this isn’t the most entertaining or interesting attention-getter, it is very clear and direct.

Dave Dugdale – Attentive Audience – CC BY-SA 2.0.

Reference to Audience

The second attention-getting device to consider is a direct reference to the audience. In this case, the speaker has a clear understanding of the audience and points out that there is something unique about the audience that should make them interested in the speech’s content. Here’s an example:

As human resource professionals, you and I know the importance of talent management. In today’s competitive world, we need to invest in getting and keeping the best talent for our organizations to succeed.

In this example, the speaker reminds the audience of their shared status as human resource professionals and uses the common ground to acknowledge the importance of talent management in human resources.

Another way to capture your listeners’ attention is to use the words of another person that relate directly to your topic. Maybe you’ve found a really great quotation in one of the articles or books you read while researching your speech. If not, you can also use a number of sources that compile useful quotations from noted individuals. Probably the most famous quotation book of all time is Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations ( http://www.bartleby.com/100 ), now in its seventeenth edition. Here are some other websites that contain useful databases of quotations for almost any topic:

• http://www.quotationspage.com
• http://www.bartleby.com/quotations
• http://www.moviequotes.com
• http://www.quotesandsayings.com
• http://www.quoteland.com

Quotations are a great way to start a speech, so let’s look at an example that could be used for a speech on deception:

Oliver Goldsmith, a sixteenth-century writer, poet, and physician, once noted that “the true use of speech is not so much to express our wants as to conceal them.”

Reference to Current Events

Referring to a current news event that relates to your topic is often an effective way to capture attention, as it immediately makes the audience aware of how relevant the topic is in today’s world. For example, consider this attention-getter for a persuasive speech on frivolous lawsuits:

On January 10, 2007, Scott Anthony Gomez Jr. and a fellow inmate escaped from a Pueblo, Colorado, jail. During their escape the duo attempted to rappel from the roof of the jail using a makeshift ladder of bed sheets. During Gomez’s attempt to scale the building, he slipped, fell forty feet, and injured his back. After being quickly apprehended, Gomez filed a lawsuit against the jail for making it too easy for him to escape.

In this case, the speaker is highlighting a news event that illustrates what a frivolous lawsuit is, setting up the speech topic of a need for change in how such lawsuits are handled.

Historical Reference

You may also capture your listeners’ attention by referring to a historical event related to your topic. Obviously, this strategy is closely related to the previous one, except that instead of a recent news event you are reaching further back in history to find a relevant reference. For example, if you are giving a speech on the Iraq War that began in 2003, you could refer back to the Vietnam War as way of making a comparison:

During the 1960s and ’70s, the United States intervened in the civil strife between North and South Vietnam. The result was a long-running war of attrition in which many American lives were lost and the country of Vietnam suffered tremendous damage and destruction. Today, we see a similar war being waged in Iraq. American lives are being lost, and stability has not yet returned to the region.

In this example, the speaker is evoking the audience’s memories of the Vietnam War to raise awareness of similarities to the war in Iraq.

Another device you can use to start a speech is to tell an anecdote related to the speech’s topic. An anecdote is a brief account or story of an interesting or humorous event. Notice the emphasis here is on the word “brief.” A common mistake speakers make when telling an anecdote is to make the anecdote too long. Remember, your entire introduction should only be 10 to 15 percent of your speech, so your attention-getter must be very short.

One type of anecdote is a real story that emphasizes a speech’s basic message. For example, here is an anecdote a speaker could use to begin a speech on how disconnected people are from the real world because of technology:

In July 2009, a high school girl named Alexa Longueira was walking along a main boulevard near her home on Staten Island, New York, typing in a message on her cell phone. Not paying attention to the world around her, she took a step and fell right into an open manhole (Whitney, 2009).

A second type of anecdote is a parable or fable. A parable or fable is an allegorical anecdote designed to teach general life lessons. The most widely known parables for most Americans are those given in the Bible and the best-known fables are Aesop’s Fables ( http://www.aesopfables.com ). For the same speech on how disconnected people are with the real world because of technology, the speaker could have used the Fable of The Boy and the Filberts:

The ancient Greek writer Aesop told a fable about a boy who put his hand into a pitcher of filberts. The boy grabbed as many of the delicious nuts as he possibly could. But when he tried to pull them out, his hand wouldn’t fit through the neck of the pitcher because he was grasping so many filberts. Instead of dropping some of them so that his hand would fit, he burst into tears and cried about his predicament. The moral of the story? “Don’t try to do too much at once” (Aesop, 1881).

After recounting this anecdote, the speaker could easily relate the fable to the notion that the technology in our society leads us to try to do too many things at once.

While parables and fables are short and entertaining, their application to your speech topic should be clear. We’ll talk about this idea in more detail later in this chapter when we discuss how to link your attention-getter explicitly to your topic.

Startling Statement

The eighth device you can use to start a speech is to surprise your audience with startling information about your topic. Often, startling statements come in the form of statistics and strange facts. The goal of a good startling statistic is that it surprises the audience and gets them engaged in your topic. For example, if you’re giving a speech about oil conservation, you could start by saying, “A Boeing 747 airliner holds 57,285 gallons of fuel.” You could start a speech on the psychology of dreams by noting, “The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year.” A strange fact, on the other hand, is a statement that does not involve numbers but is equally surprising to most audiences. For example, you could start a speech on the gambling industry by saying, “There are no clocks in any casinos in Las Vegas.” You could start a speech on the Harlem Globetrotters by saying, “In 2000, Pope John Paul II became the most famous honorary member of the Harlem Globetrotters.” All four of these examples came from a great website for strange facts ( http://www.strangefacts.com ).

Although startling statements are fun, it is important to use them ethically. First, make sure that your startling statement is factual. The Internet is full of startling statements and claims that are simply not factual, so when you find a statement you’d like to use, you have an ethical duty to ascertain its truth before you use it. Second, make sure that your startling statement is relevant to your speech and not just thrown in for shock value. We’ve all heard startling claims made in the media that are clearly made for purposes of shock or fear mongering. As speakers, we have an ethical obligation to avoid playing on people’s emotions in this way.

Another strategy for getting your audience’s attention is to ask them a question. There are two types of questions commonly used as attention-getters: response questions and rhetorical questions. A response question is a question that the audience is expected to answer in some manner. For example, you could ask your audience, “Please raise your hand if you have ever thought about backpacking in Europe” or “Have you ever voted for the Electoral College? If so, stand up.” In both of these cases, the speaker wants her or his audience to respond. A rhetorical question , on the other hand, is a question to which no actual reply is expected. For example, a speaker talking about the importance of HIV testing could start by asking the audience, “I have two questions that I’d like you to think about. How many students on this campus have had sexual intercourse? Of those who have had sex, how many have been tested for HIV?” In this case, the speaker does not expect the audience to give an estimate of the numbers of students that fit into each category but rather to think about the questions as the speech goes on.

Humor is another effective method for gaining an audience’s attention. Humor is an amazing tool when used properly. We cannot begin to explain all the amazing facets of humor within this text, but we can say that humor is a great way of focusing an audience on what you are saying. However, humor is a double-edged sword. If you do not wield the sword carefully, you can turn your audience against you very quickly. When using humor, you really need to know your audience and understand what they will find humorous. One of the biggest mistakes a speaker can make is to use some form of humor that the audience either doesn’t find funny or finds offensive. Think about how incompetent the character of Michael Scott seems on the television program The Office , in large part because of his ineffective use of humor. We always recommend that you test out humor of any kind on a sample of potential audience members prior to actually using it during a speech.

Thinkmedialabs – Audience laughing – CC BY-NC 2.0.

Now that we’ve warned you about the perils of using humor, let’s talk about how to use humor as an attention-getter. Humor can be incorporated into several of the attention-getting devices mentioned. You could use a humorous anecdote, quotation, or current event. As with other attention-getting devices, you need to make sure your humor is relevant to your topic, as one of the biggest mistakes some novices make when using humor is to add humor that really doesn’t support the overall goal of the speech. So when looking for humorous attention-getters you want to make sure that the humor is nonoffensive to your audiences and relevant to your speech. For example, here’s a humorous quotation from Nicolas Chamfort, a French author during the sixteenth century, “The only thing that stops God from sending another flood is that the first one was useless.” While this quotation could be great for some audiences, other audiences may find this humorous quotation offensive (e.g., religious audiences). The Chamfort quotation could be great for a speech on the ills of modern society, but probably not for a speech on the state of modern religious conflict. You want to make sure that the leap from your attention-getter to your topic isn’t too complicated for your audience, or the attention-getter will backfire.

Personal Reference

The tenth device you may consider to start a speech is to refer to a story about yourself that is relevant for your topic. Some of the best speeches are ones that come from personal knowledge and experience. If you are an expert or have firsthand experience related to your topic, sharing this information with the audience is a great way to show that you are credible during your attention-getter. For example, if you had a gastric bypass surgery and you wanted to give an informative speech about the procedure, you could introduce your speech in this way:

In the fall of 2008, I decided that it was time that I took my life into my own hands. After suffering for years with the disease of obesity, I decided to take a leap of faith and get a gastric bypass in an attempt to finally beat the disease.

If you use a personal example, don’t get carried away with the focus on yourself and your own life. Your speech topic is the purpose of the attention-getter, not the other way around. Another pitfall in using a personal example is that it may be too personal for you to maintain your composure. For example, a student once started a speech about her grandmother by stating, “My grandmother died of cancer at 3:30 this morning.” The student then proceeded to cry nonstop for ten minutes. While this is an extreme example, we strongly recommend that you avoid any material that could get you overly choked up while speaking. When speakers have an emotional breakdown during their speech, audience members stop listening to the message and become very uncomfortable.

Reference to Occasion

The last device we mention for starting a speech is to refer directly to the speaking occasion. This attention-getter is only useful if the speech is being delivered for a specific occasion. Many toasts, for example, start with the following statement: “Today we are here to honor X.” In this case, the “X” could be a retirement, a marriage, a graduation, or any number of other special occasions. Because of its specific nature, this attention-getter is the least likely to be used for speeches being delivered for college courses.

Key Takeaways

• In developing the introduction to your speech, begin by deciding upon a statement to capture the audience’s attention.
• Attention-getters can include references to the audience, quotations, references to current events, historical references, anecdotes, startling statements, questions, humor, personal references, and references to the occasion.
• Make a list of the attention-getting devices you might use to give a speech on the importance of recycling. Which do you think would be most effective? Why?
• You’ve been asked to deliver a speech on the use of advertising in children’s media. Out of the list of ten different possible attention-getting devices discussed in the chapter, how could you use four of them to start your speech?

Aesop (1881). Aesop’s fables . New York, NY: Wm. L. Allison. Retrieved from http://www.litscape.com/author/Aesop/The_Boy_and_the_Filberts.html

Leung, R. (2004, September 5). Porn in the U.S.A.: Steve Kroft reports on a $10 billion industry. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com .

Miller, E. (1946). Speech introductions and conclusions. Quarterly Journal of Speech, 32 , 181–183.

Whitney, L. (2009, July 13). Don’t text while walking? Girl learns the hard way. CNET News Wireless . Retrieved from http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10285466-94.html

Stand up, Speak out Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Captivate Your Audience: The Power of Attention Getters

Are you looking for ways to grab your reader’s attention?

Whether you’re writing a blog post, article, or essay, having a powerful introduction is key to drawing your audience in.

An effective attention getter can be the difference between an average piece of writing and one that really stands out. Here are some tips and tricks for using attention-grabbing techniques in your introduction.

Introduction to Attention Getters

An attention getter, also known as an “attention grabber”, “hook”, or “hook sentence”, refers to the first 1-4 sentences of an essay and is always found in the introductory paragraph.

It consists of an intriguing opening that is designed to grab your reader’s attention. Its purpose is to give your readers a brief overview of what your essay will be discussing and to pique their interest so they continue reading.

Importance of Attention Getters

Attention getters are an essential part of writing, especially when it comes to academic essays.

A strong attention getter can engage readers and motivate them to continue reading your work. It can also provide the reader with a quick overview of what is being discussed in the essay, helping them understand the main points before delving further into the content.

Types of Attention Getters

There are numerous types of attention getters that you can use to grab your reader’s attention. Here are some popular techniques for creating strong, effective introductions:

1. Quotes – Using quotes from famous people or literature can be a great way to start your essay and engage readers. Selecting a quote that relates to the topic of your essay can be a great way to draw readers in.

2. Facts or Statistics – If you have interesting data or facts related to your topic, you can use them in your introduction to provide context and help readers understand the main points of your essay.

3. Questions – Asking questions is an effective method for getting people’s attention and making them think about the topic at hand. It also helps to set up the discussion for the rest of your essay.

4. Anecdotes – Using anecdotes is a great way to add a personal touch to your introduction and make it more engaging for readers. Find a story that relates to your topic or take one from your own experience and use it as an attention-grabber.

Storytelling

Personal experiences.

Personal experiences can be a great way to grab your reader’s attention and make them more interested in what you have to say.

You can use stories from your own life, as well as those of people you know, to provide vivid detail and create an engaging introduction.

Not only do personal experiences help to draw readers in, but they also demonstrate the relevance of the topic being discussed. Be sure to keep your story concise yet powerful, and use it to help set the stage for the rest of your essay.

An anecdote is a short story or humorous account of an incident that is used in order to engage readers and emphasize a point.

It can be used to grab someone’s attention, provide context for your essay, and make it more relatable to the audience. Anecdotes can also be used to add a personal touch to your essay and make it more memorable.

Historical accounts

Using historical accounts in your introduction can be an effective way to engage readers and capture their attention. Historical accounts provide readers with a vivid glimpse into the past and draw them into the subject matter of your essay.

They also help to illustrate the relevance of the topic and give readers a better understanding of it. When using historical accounts, make sure to provide enough detail but keep it concise and relevant to your essay.

Shocking Statistic

Financial statistics.

Using financial statistics as an attention getter can be a powerful tool for capturing your reader’s attention.

Startling financial facts and figures can be used to emphasize the importance of the topic at hand and engage readers in the discussion.

For example, citing the fact that 30 percent of Americans have no retirement savings or that 50 percent of college graduates are burdened with student debt can help to demonstrate why the subject of your essay is so important.

Health statistics

Health statistics can be an effective way to grab the reader’s attention and emphasize the importance of a topic.

For example, citing the fact that in 2019 over 4.5 million people died from cancer or that 1 in 4 adults aged 65 and older suffer from some form of mental illness can help to demonstrate why the subject of your essay is so important.

Health statistics bring awareness to global health issues while helping to engage your readers in the discussion.

Social statistics

Social statistics can be an effective way to grab the reader’s attention and emphasize the importance of a topic.

For example, citing the fact that in 2019 1 in 5 adults struggled with mental health issues or that nearly half of all Americans reported feeling lonely can help to demonstrate why the subject of your essay is so important. Social statistics bring awareness to social issues while helping to engage your readers in the discussion.

Provocative Question

Open-ended questions.

Open-ended questions can be a great way to grab readers’ attention and engage them in the discussion. These types of questions are designed to get readers thinking and leave them wanting more.

Writing an essay with provocative open-ended questions as an attention-grabber will encourage readers to keep reading as they try to answer the question posed.

It’s important to make sure that your open-ended question is relevant to the topic of your essay and that it encourages critical thinking.

Rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions can be a great way to grab your reader’s attention and make them think about the topic at hand.

Rhetorical questions are designed to be open-ended and provoke thought, without expecting an answer. They can help to draw readers in by making them consider the implications of the question and creating an engaging introduction.

When using rhetorical questions, make sure to keep them relevant to the topic of your essay and avoid questions that are too obvious or simplistic.

Thought-provoking questions

Thought-provoking questions can be an effective way to grab your reader’s attention and make them think about the topic at hand.

Thought-provoking questions are designed to challenge readers to consider the implications of a question, rather than simply provide an answer. These types of questions can help engage readers in the discussion by making them pause and reflect on a broader concept or idea.

When using thought-provoking questions, make sure to keep them relevant to the topic of your essay and avoid questions that are too complex or hard to answer.

Famous quotes

Famous quotes can be a great way to grab your reader’s attention and engage them in the discussion.

Quotes from famous thinkers, authors, or public figures can help to set the tone for your essay while emphasizing the importance of the topic at hand. For example, citing a quote from Winston Churchill such as “Never give up” can help to demonstrate why perseverance is so important.

Literary quotes

Quotes from literary works can be an effective way to grab your reader’s attention and emphasize the importance of a topic.

For example, citing a quote from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet such as “All things can tempt me from this craft of sorrow” can help to demonstrate why emotions play such an important role in our lives. Quotes from literature offer an insightful perspective into a topic and can help to engage your readers in the discussion.

Pop culture quotes

Pop culture quotes can be an effective way to grab your reader’s attention and emphasize the importance of a topic. For example, citing a quote from a movie such as “Life is like a box of chocolates” from Forrest Gump can help to demonstrate why taking chances can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Quotes from pop culture offer light-hearted perspectives into serious topics while helping to engage your readers in the discussion.

Examples of Attention Getters in Different Formats

Essays and research papers, thesis statements.

Thesis statements are an effective way to grab reader’s attention and focus the essay topic.

A well-crafted thesis statement can be used to introduce a topic, provide insight into the main points of an essay, and act as a road map for readers so they know where the essay is heading. It should be concise and clear while also conveying the main idea of the essay in one or two sentences.

Introduction paragraphs

Introduction paragraphs are an essential part of any essay and serve to grab readers’ attention and introduce them to the discussion.

Introduction paragraphs should be concise, engaging, and provide a brief overview of the main points in the essay.

Open-ended questions, rhetorical questions, thought-provoking questions, famous quotes, literary quotes, and pop culture quotes can all be used as effective attention grabbers.

Speeches and Presentations

Opening statements.

Opening statements are an effective way to grab your audience’s attention and set the tone for a speech or presentation.

Openings should be concise, engaging, and provide a brief overview of the main points in the presentation.

Opening statements can include rhetorical questions, thought-provoking questions, famous quotes, literary quotes, pop culture quotes, or personal anecdotes. These types of attention-grabbing techniques will help to engage your audience and set the tone for the rest of the presentation.

Attention-getting imagery

Attention-getting imagery is a great way to grab the reader’s attention and engage them in the discussion.

Visuals such as pictures, diagrams, symbols, and illustrations can help to draw readers in and give them an immediate understanding of the topic at hand.

These visuals should be relevant to the topic being discussed and keep in line with the overall tone of your essay or presentation. Additionally, the visuals should be used in a way that is consistent with the main points of your essay or presentation.

Marketing and Advertising

Headlines and taglines.

Headlines and taglines are an effective way to grab readers’ attention and engage them in a conversation.

Headlines should be concise, creative, and relevant to the product or service being advertised. Additionally, they should be eye-catching and memorable so that readers will remember them after they have seen the advertisement.

Taglines can also be used to reinforce the message of the advertisement while helping to engage readers in the conversation.

Visual advertisements

Visual advertisements are an effective way to grab readers’ attention and engage them in a conversation.

Visuals such as pictures, videos, symbols, and illustrations can help to draw readers in and give them an immediate understanding of the product or service being advertised.

These visuals should be relevant to the product or service being discussed and keep in line with the overall tone of the advertisement. Additionally, the visuals should be used in a way that is consistent with the message of the advertisement.

Techniques for Effective Attention Getters

Know your audience.

Knowing your audience is one of the most important techniques for creating effective attention getters. It is essential to understand who you are trying to target and tailor your message accordingly.

Different types of audiences may respond differently to certain types of attention-grabbing techniques. For example, a younger audience may be more likely to respond to pop culture references while an older audience may be more receptive to classic literature quotes.

Set the Tone

Setting the tone is an important technique for creating effective attention getters. Establishing the right tone in your introduction can help to make your essay or presentation more engaging and memorable.

The tone should be consistent with the overall topic being discussed and should reflect the purpose of the essay or presentation. For example, if you are writing a persuasive essay, then you may want to use an authoritative yet encouraging tone in your introduction.

Keep It Simple

When crafting attention getters, it is important to keep it simple. Using too many complicated words or ideas can make your audience lose interest and make them more likely to forget what you said.

You want to use language that your audience will be able to understand and relate to. Additionally, you should avoid bombarding your audience with too much information in the introduction; instead, focus on one main point that you want to get across.

Practice and Rehearsal

Creating effective attention getters requires practice and rehearsal. Developing the right tone, content, and delivery can take time.

It is important to remember that practice makes perfect; the more you practice, the better your attention getter will be. Taking the time to rehearse your introduction can help ensure that it will flow naturally and make a lasting impression on your audience.

Creating effective attention getters is an important skill to have for any essay or presentation. It is essential to understand the techniques required to grab your audience’s attention and engage them in a conversation.

Knowing your audience, setting the tone, keeping it simple, and practicing and rehearsing are all key elements for crafting a successful attention getter. By utilizing these tips and techniques, you can make your essay or presentation more engaging and memorable.

It is used to encourage the audience to take a specific action or make a commitment. A successful call to action should be clear and concise with a sense of urgency. Additionally, it should provide a compelling reason why the audience should take the desired action. For example, using phrases such as “Sign up now! ” and “Don’t miss out!” can be effective ways to motivate the audience to act.

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How to Write a Good Attention Getter: Tips and Strategies

Having a strong opening is essential for any piece of writing. It is the attention getter that hooks the reader in and makes them want to keep reading. A good attention getter sets the stage for the rest of the content and can make all the difference between a piece that is engaging or one that falls flat. In this article, we will explore the importance of attention getters in writing and provide tips and strategies for crafting a strong hook.

Understanding the Importance of Attention Getters

Before we delve into how to craft an effective attention getter, it's important to understand its role. An attention getter is the first thing a reader encounters and it serves as a way to hook them in, create curiosity and set the tone for the rest of the piece. A successful attention getter not only captures a reader's attention but it also builds anticipation for what's to come.

The role of attention getters in writing

Attention getters are an essential part of all types of writing, from headlines to essays to novels. They are necessary to grab readers' attention and encourage them to keep reading. Without a strong attention getter, content can fall flat or be dismissed entirely.

Types of attention getters

There are several different approaches to crafting an attention getter. Some popular types include anecdotes and personal stories, quotations, rhetorical questions, statistics and facts, humor, and provocative statements. Each type can be effective depending on the type of writing and the desired tone.

One effective type of attention getter is the use of anecdotes and personal stories. These can be used to create a connection with the reader and provide a relatable example. For example, if you were writing an article about the importance of exercise, you could start with a personal story about how exercise has impacted your life.

Another approach is to use quotations. Quotations can be used to provide an authoritative voice or to add an element of intrigue. For example, if you were writing an article about the benefits of meditation, you could start with a quote from a well-known meditation teacher.

Rhetorical questions can also be effective attention getters. These types of questions are designed to engage the reader and encourage them to think about the topic at hand. For example, if you were writing an article about climate change, you could start with a rhetorical question like "Did you know that the earth's temperature has risen by 1 degree Celsius in the last century?"

Statistics and facts can be used to provide context and support for your argument. These can be especially effective in persuasive writing. For example, if you were writing an article about the dangers of smoking, you could start with a statistic like "Every year, smoking kills over 480,000 people in the United States."

Humor can also be an effective attention getter. If you can make your reader laugh, they are more likely to keep reading. However, it's important to use humor appropriately and in a way that is relevant to your topic. For example, if you were writing an article about the benefits of laughter, you could start with a humorous anecdote about a time when laughter helped you through a difficult situation.

Finally, provocative statements can be used to grab the reader's attention and create a sense of controversy. These types of statements are designed to challenge the reader's beliefs and encourage them to keep reading. For example, if you were writing an article about gun control, you could start with a provocative statement like "Guns don't kill people, people kill people."

Overall, there are many different types of attention getters that can be used in writing. The key is to choose an approach that is appropriate for your topic and your audience. By crafting a strong attention getter, you can capture your reader's attention and encourage them to keep reading.

Crafting a Strong Hook

Now that we've gone over the importance of an attention getter, let's discuss how to craft a strong hook.

Know your audience

The first step in crafting a strong attention getter is understanding who your audience is. What are their interests? What resonates with them? Do they prefer a more serious or humorous tone? Understanding these factors will give you valuable insight into what type of attention getter will be most effective.

Establish your purpose

Next, it's crucial to establish the purpose of your writing. Is it to inform, entertain, or persuade? This information will guide you in determining the most appropriate type of attention getter to use.

Choose the right tone

The tone of your piece is another essential factor to consider. Will it be serious, lighthearted, or somewhere in between? The tone of the attention getter should match the overall tone of the writing.

Types of Attention Getters

Let's further explore the various types of attention getters:

Anecdotes and personal stories

An engaging personal story or anecdote can be an effective way to connect with readers on a personal level. This type of attention getter also helps to make your writing more relatable and memorable.

Using a relevant quote from a respected source can lend credibility to your writing while also capturing the reader's attention. Make sure the quote is relevant and supports the purpose of your piece.

Rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions can be a powerful tool for engaging readers and getting them to think. They are particularly effective when the question is thought-provoking or challenges conventional thinking.

Statistics and facts

Using statistics and facts can grab the reader's attention by illustrating the significance of the topic being discussed. However, be sure to use accurate and relevant data.

Humor can be an excellent attention getter when used appropriately. It can help lighten the tone of serious topics, but be cautious not to offend or stray too far from the purpose of your writing.

Provocative statements

A provocative statement can catch the reader's attention by challenging their beliefs or forcing them to consider a new perspective.

Tips for Writing Effective Attention Getters

There are several tips to keep in mind when crafting your attention getter:

Keep it relevant

Your attention getter should be relevant to the topic being discussed. It should also be clear how the attention getter relates to the rest of the piece.

Your attention getter should be succinct and to the point. It should be long enough to be impactful but not so long that it becomes tedious to read.

Create curiosity

The attention getter should create curiosity and anticipation for what's to come. A reader should be intrigued enough to want to keep reading.

Use strong language

Your attention getter should use strong, vivid language to create an emotional connection with the reader. Using sensory details can help make the piece more engaging and memorable.

In conclusion, crafting an effective attention getter is essential for engaging readers and setting the tone for your writing. By understanding the importance of attention getters and following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can create a hook that captivates readers and keeps them engaged throughout your piece.

ChatGPT Prompt for Writing a Good Attention Getter

Chatgpt prompt.

Please compose a compelling and effective statement or question that will capture the interest of your audience and encourage them to engage with your topic.

[ADD ADDITIONAL CONTEXT. CAN USE BULLET POINTS.]

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Home » Writers-House Blog » 5 Best Attention-Getters for Your Essay

5 Best Attention-Getters for Your Essay

College admissions committees cannot guarantee that they will read every applicant’s essay. First, admissions counselors don’t have enough time. Secondly, they may decide not to read your essay after taking a glance at the first few sentences. At the same time, if admissions counselors are not sure whether or not they should accept you, your essay may determine their decision. Thus, we recommend that you get their attention right from the beginning, creating an impressive introductory paragraph that will make your readers want to read more. Experts from writers-house.com prepared this list of the best attention-getters for you.

An anecdote should be related to your story. If you start your essay with an anecdote, you’ll be able to get an emotional reaction from your readers, which is a great way to engage the audience. If your readers can relate to the anecdote, they can relate to your essay as well, which makes them more likely to enjoy reading it.

A good question can also grab attention and engage your readers. It’s also a great way to make them think about something important. Don’t choose questions that require a simple answer (“yes” or “no”). Instead, choose a question that will introduce your readers to the topic. For example, you may ask “why?” and lead your readers to the thesis statement that provides the answer.

Quotes are effective attention-getters that also make your essay more credible. We suggest that you choose a quote from an expert on the topic of your essay. In addition, you should make sure that the quote supports your thesis statement. Such an essay hook will demonstrate that you’ve researched your subject. It can also be used to convey your ideas in an emotional way, which will help you create a strong introduction.

Sometimes, a good joke can quickly engage your readers and create the right mood. Obviously, this type of essay hook is a nice choice if you write an essay on some positive topic. A joke can also help you make your essay entertaining and tell your reader that they shouldn’t take it too seriously. Make sure that your joke isn’t controversial or offensive.

Shocking Statistic

Another way to grab your readers’ attention is to provide an impressive statistic that is directly related to the topic of your essay. This is a great approach for persuasive essays because your readers may get shocked by the fact that they don’t know something important about the issue. Obviously, statistical facts also work great with informative essays and various types of technical writing.

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• Good Attention Grabbers for Essays

Top 4 Attention Getters

1. ask a question, 2. tell a story, 3. tell a joke, 4. use comparisons.

• Attention Grabbers for a Persuasive or Argumentative Papers

Attention Grabbers for a Descriptive Paper

Attention grabbers for contrast papers.

Draw people into reading your essay (for example informative essay or 500 word essay) by making your introduction interesting and intriguing with the first sentence it starts with. The best way to do that is by using attention-catching hooks. These are to engage your audience, spark curiosity in them, and make people wonder what happens next. Therefore, you are to make your introduction stand out and work for you. So what attention grabbers work best in essay writing, and how to make sure that the first sentence of the introductory paragraph makes your readers curious?

You can use a variety of attention grabbers for your piece; however, some hooks work better for particular assignments. So instead of guessing how to create a compelling attention-getter, just check our selection of the best hooks that will steal your readers’ attention in one go. Alternatively, you can always order professional assistance for, academic essay writers in case you doubt your writing talent.

One of the most effective ways to start a paper is to pose a question to the reader. In such a way, you can raise a reader’s personal interest in your writing and make him continue reading your piece in full. However, in order to formulate the question in the right way, you need to know your audience well. Otherwise, you risk failing to hit the target. At the same time, you are to ensure that the introductory question directs the reader to continue the thought or to find the answer within your paper. But don’t make your question too general. 

Let’s say you write about cars. Starting your piece with the question “ do you have a car? ” will hardly impress your audience. It will hardly engage people in critical thinking. A good question hook should make the reader reply with a “hmm” instead of bringing a “yes-no” response. That’s why a good and effective question attention-getter should sound similar to “ have you ever wondered why all the cars in the UK are all right-hand drive? ” Consult our blog on how to develop critical hinking skills to create thought-provoking attention grabbers.

You can also tell a personal story. Readers love stories; well-written stories are always memorable and raise interest in people. The key to a great story hook is making it directly connected to the main theme of the assignment. This approach is best suited for essays about yourself , personal narratives or  scholarship essays  and will hardly work in more formal types of academic assignments. 

Starting your piece with the sentence “ When I was thinking about this topic, I came up with an idea that... ” Such an introductory sentence sounds too banal and is more likely to disappoint than to interest people. With such a story hook, you will never distinguish your paper from the crowd.  

The easiest way to catch readers’ interest is to tell them a funny story. An anecdote hook is appropriate for a narrative or descriptive essay . Even if you do not consider your piece humorous, a funny opening can still work. A little humor helps to win readers’ focus and raise their interest in the topic. Just ensure that the joke is short and relates to the main idea of your piece - and you will improve your essay.

Use metaphors or comparisons to engage readers in your work and make them think about a theme in a different way. The easiest way to impress your reader is to compare your paper topic to something that seems unrelated. An example of an effective metaphor is - A business blog is a magnet pulling customers to a company . Follow the same logic when composing a hook in essay , and you will definitely intrigue your reader.

Attention Grabbers for a Persuasive or Argumentative Papers 

When writing a persuasive paper, you are to make your reader adopt a particular belief and side with you in a particular question without generalization. Your mission is to impact his thinking with the very first sentence. The easiest and most effective way to do so is to start your piece with a surprising fact, statistics, or quotation. Thus, you will spark your reader's curiosity to learn more.

If you do not know how to start a descriptive piece, then write a story. It is important that your story includes the senses and lets people taste, smell, feel, hear, or see the main object or subject that you are going to write about. Just give your reader a feeling of being right there and experiencing the situation with you.

Jumping right in with a contrasting thesis statement can be a great way to engage your reader with this type of paper. Thus, you will immediately introduce readers to your main argument to argue and let them get used to it from the very beginning of your writing.

Do not want to spoil your writing with a boring intro or ineffective quote? Check samples of attention grabbers available on the Internet and get a portion of inspiration.

It’s time for essay writing but you do not know how to start, what to write about, and how to organize your work? This article will guide you on how to write a 500 word essay fast, will reveal all the essay writing secrets regarding essay structure, writing process as well as give good examples for ...

The essay introduction serves as a quick test of your text: if the first paragraph is well-written, the rest of the text may be superb. If you fail with making a good introduction, there’s no matter how exceptional your body and conclusion are because nobody will ever read it. Every essay writer onl...

Being proficient at writing essay hooks is a vital skill to master for students in academic writing. It will be harder to make your readers get excited to read your essays without it. Suppose that you have produced some reliable content to present. Still, if you miss using a strong attention grabber...

• The Lessons

Your Memory, Experiences, and Conversations

Primarily, you’ll find attention getters from your own experiences.  Once you know your topic and the three points you want to cover in the essay, start asking yourself what you know about the topic and points that make it interesting .

• Why did you pick that particular topic?
• Is is something you remember from your childhood?
• Is it something relevant to current events or news?
• Is there a viral video or image on the internet that everyone seems to be commenting on or sharing?

If you’re in the classroom for an essay exam, your resources will be limited to the items allowed in the testing room.  You’ll have to rely mostly on what you already know or have heard.

Search Online for Your Topic

IF, however, you’re writing an essay at home, or in a classroom with internet access allowed, do a Google search on your topic.  See what the top news stories are.  Look at the top videos and images .  See if any of those offer ideas for an attention getter.

Think about recent blog or social networking posts you’ve noticed that may relate to the topic.

Use those as attention getters.

You can even start the introductory paragraph with a quotation from a book, website, video, etc.  Just make sure you put it in quotation marks and mention where it orginally came from.

According to a recent blog post on Turning the Clock Back , “Pink Slime is basically beef by-products that have been treated with ammonia to kill harmful bacteria.”

“Pink Slime is basically beef by-products that have been treated with ammonia to kill harmful bacteria.”  Though the blogger from Turning the Clock Back   also mentions that “pink slime” is considered fit for human consumption, most Americans are horrified that it’s included in many school lunches and fast food products.

Quotation marks and sourcing the quotation is critical to show that you aren’t plagiarizing the material or ripping it off.  You’re just quoting a tiny clip to prove your point in an example or get attention in the introduction.

NOTE:  If you’re typing the essay for class, ask your teacher/instructor about HOW your should source quotations.  Different writing styles require a Works Cited or Bibliography entry.  Also ask if you should include hyperlinks in the references or not.  It all depends on the style required by the assignment and teacher.

The Introductory Paragraph Walk Through Example

For the attention getter/introductory paragraph walk through lesson , we used references to Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution and the “Pink Slime” images that are making Americans a bit nauseous about the food allowed in school lunches.

I personally knew about Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution because I’d seen an episode of the show.  I also knew about pink slime because it’s all over Facebook and the internet.

Even if I hadn’t known about a popular chef and TV show or the pink slime issue, it would have been very easy to find through a quick internet search.

For those who aren’t already familiar with Jamie Oliver, Food Revolution, or Pink Slime, here’s a YouTube video you could easily find online.

Additional Attention Getter Tips

Remember, too, that it’s best to use attention getters with which the reader is already familiar , but even if the reader/grader doesn’t know who or what the celebrity, TV show, book, website, etc. are, the fact that you are using them as a reference (or authority) lends some authority to your essay.

Refer to something concrete …something or someone who actually exists…something that actually happened…rather than a general statement like:

Parents are concerned about the quality of food provided in school lunches, so they’re packing healthy alternatives for their kids.

Yeah.  The statement is accurate, but it’s boring.

Put REAL people, places, things, events, etc. in your attention getters and examples.

Related posts:

• Introductory Paragraph Walk-Through
• Attention Getter
• Introduction

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Hook Generator for Essays

• ️🛠️ How to use the tool?
• ️📝 Why use the hook maker?
• ️🪝 6 Types of hooks
• ️🙋 Who can benefit from this instrument?
• ️🔝 How to write a great hook
• ️🚀 Boost your skills with our tools

🛠️ How to Use the Hook Generator?

Choose the hook type.

The first thing you should do is choose the type of hook sentence you would like the tool to generate. Is it a question, a quotation, statistical information, an anecdote, a definition, or a personal fact? This step is optional; however, we advise you to specify what hook type will suit your project most.

Choose the Project Type

Next, you can choose the type of project you're working on. Is it an essay, a speech, a research paper, a thesis, a report, a coursework, or a proposal? You are welcome to select the most suitable genre. This step is also optional.

Input Your Topic

At this point, you should input the topic of your project. This is the only obligatory step, as without this information, our hook generator won't produce the attention grabber customized to your needs. You don't have to enter a polished title; a rough idea is enough.

Get the result

Once you click "Generate," the hook will appear under the button. Note that the hook is AI-made and should be used for inspiration and research purposes only. If you're not fully satisfied with the result, you can start from the beginning. The hook generator is free and unlimited!

📝 Why Use the Essay Hook Generator?

Are you stuck starting an essay or research paper? No worries! With this AI-powered attention grabber maker, you will get fresh ideas for your project. The tool will offer you a hook statement tailored to your needs quickly and for free. Use it as many times as you need to get the perfect result.

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various hook types

🪝 6 Types of Hooks in This Generator

It’s a common misunderstanding that one hook sentence will suit any text. In fact, each situation requires a specific approach. Here are the 6 types of attention-getters that this hook generator can offer.

Question Hook

A question hook is a good choice for engaging readers who are interested in the topic. It also works well for audiences who have yet to learn about the topic but enjoy being challenged and thinking critically. This type of hook will work well for many types of speeches .

Example: Need help writing a hook for your essay?

Quotation Hook

A quotation hook statement is excellent for grabbing the attention of readers who are interested in other people's opinions and ideas. It also works well in research papers based on experts' or well-known individuals' insights and perspectives.

Example: “We can no longer save the world by playing by the rules.”

Statistical Hook

A startling fact or statistic hook is good for engaging readers interested in precise data and new information. It can surprise and shock them, making them want to learn more.

Example: According to Sleepopolis and OnePoll, 34% of adults still sleep with a plushy.

Anecdotal Hook

An anecdotal hook is an effective way to engage readers who are interested in personal stories and experiences. It's also perfect for younger audiences looking for relatable content or wishing to learn from others.

Example: When I was ten, I fell off my bike and injured my head. As I lay on the ground in pain, I saw my neighbor, a retired nurse, rushing over to help. She quickly assessed my injury, called my parents, and stayed by my side until the ambulance arrived. That experience not only taught me the importance of wearing a helmet but also ignited my passion for nursing.

Autobiography Hook

This type of hook can be particularly effective for audiences interested in biographical content, such as fans of memoirs. It's perfect for college essays and admission papers .

Example: I look after two rescued dogs: an outgoing, vibrant Malamute and a reserved yet regal American Foxhound. They haven't allowed their painful pasts to influence their moods, and I won't either.

Definition Hook

This type of hook can be effective for engaging audiences who are interested in learning something new. It's perfect for research papers and scientific texts.

Example: We lie when we knowingly say something false. Lying is considered a sin, a vice, a transgression, and an immoral offense.

🙋 Who Can Benefit from This Hook Generator?

Use the hook generator to get an inspiring starting point for your writing.

Generate beautiful, varied, and customized starters for your lectures on different topics.

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Craft the perfect speech beginning that will engage your audience and capture their attention.

Copywriters

Get a heap of fresh ideas on how to start your text on any topic imaginable.

Use this tool whenever you don’t know how to grab the attention of your potential interlocutor.

🔝 How to Write a Great Hook Sentence

Want to hook your readers and make them want to learn more? Crafting a great attention grabber will help you do that. But where do you begin? Follow these 3 steps to achieve success in the art of starting a paper:

• Analyze your topic. Why is it important? What intriguing facts or quotes are related to it? Consider personal experiences that relate to your subject. Use these insights to create a "skeleton" for your hook.
• Know your goal. What reaction do you want to elicit from your readers? Choose a hook that aligns with your essay's purpose and will evoke the desired response.
• Do your research . Explore blogs, books, and articles related to your topic for inspiration. Visiting physical locations and interviewing people are also good options.

Follow these tips, and you'll create a hook that will make your readers curious from the get-go! But let's be honest; crafting a good attention-getter can be a lot of work.

Our hook sentence generator can create stunning results in seconds!

Updated: Jun 5th, 2024

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In addition to this essay hook creator, we offer other highly specialized writing tools for students. With them, you’ll quickly polish your project of any genre.

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Attention Getter Generator

Get a catchy attention getter in 4 steps:

• Choose the hook type that you want.
• Type in your essay’s topic.
• Push the “Get an attention getter” button.
• Get your perfect attention grabber just like that!
• ✨ Our Tool’s Benefits

👀 What Is an Attention Getter?

• 🔥 Types of Hooks
• ❤️ Helpful Tips

🔗 References

✨ attention getter for essays: our tool’s benefits.

Getting unique hook examples to boost your inspiration has never been easier! AssignZen’s hook generator has many unique features that you’ll definitely appreciate. Here’s why you should choose our tool instead of others:

Not sure why you need a perfect hook in your essay? Or maybe you want to learn more about attention getters? Keep reading this article!

A hook is essentially the text’s first sentence that captures the reader's attention. It’s usually located in the opening sentence of an essay. It can either state the primary idea or function as an introductory sentence before the main narrative.

Reasons to Use an Attention Getter

There are many reasons why using an attention getter will take your essay to the next level:

• It sparks interest and curiosity in the reader.
• It makes your essay memorable and helps it stand out among others.
• It establishes the mood, style, and voice of your writing.
• It provides context or background information that leads to your essay’s main argument.

🔥 Types of Attention Getters

Did you know there are several diferent types of hooks? Each type is suitable for specific situations and texts. In addition, by using various attention-getting techniques, you can cater to different learning styles and make your essay more accessible to a broader range of readers.

The 4 main types of attention getters are:

Attention Getters for Different Purposes

As you already know, each hook type suits specific texts. In this next segment, we will discuss which attention getters to use with which assignments to get the best outcome.

Attention Getter for an Argumentative Essay

Argumentative essays aim to engage the reader in a discussion. An attention getter for this essay type can be a powerful tool to capture the reader's interest and establish credibility. By presenting compelling evidence in a thought-provoking question or a surprising fact , you can pique the audience's curiosity and make a persuasive impact.

Attention Getter for a Narrative Essay

Narrative essays tell a story. As you can guess, the most suitable hook in this case is the anecdotal type .

Attention Getter for an Informative Essay

Informative essays aim to tell the readers about something. Your aim with the hook would be to create interest. That’s why the best choice here would be statistical and question hook types .

Attention Getter for a Research Paper

Research papers are generally more complex than essays. In this case, a hook of almost any type can fit. We recommend starting with statistics and quotation hooks .

Attention Getter for a Literary Analysis

Literary analysis generally requires a more creative approach than other essay types. That’s why quotation and question hook types are the most appropriate options.

Attention Getter for a Speech

If you’re writing a text for an informative speech, you need a hook that will quickly grab the attention of many diverse people. Generally, a quotation or question hook will do the trick, but you can also use shocking statistics to actualize the topic effectively.

❤️ Writing a Catchy Attention Getter: Helpful Tips

Finally, we present to you the most helpful tips to make your hooks perfect!

Now you know everything necessary for making a great attention grabber for your text. Make sure to use AssignZen’s hook generator to speed up the process! This groundbreaking tool will be a great help even for a seasoned writer.

❓ Attention Getter Generator FAQ

❓ how do you make an attention grabber.

It's pretty easy to make a good attention grabber. Just think of a sentence that can be catchy, informative, and related to your main topic’s problem. You can use any hook, should it be a question, a quote, a personal story, or a shocking statistic.

❓ What is a hook generator?

AssingZen’s hook generator is a free tool that creates attention getters for essays or research papers. All you should do is choose the desired hook type and state your topic in the generator's parameters. After that, you'll receive a perfect hook that you can use however you want.

❓ What is a good attention grabber for an essay?

A good attention grabber must be catchy, informative, and connected with the topic. Here’s an example of a great hook for an argumentative essay: “In recent days, many influential people have asked themselves: can we create a world under a single government?”

❓ What is an example of an attention getter in an essay?

Here’re a few good examples of catchy hooks:

• Everyone knows that committing a crime is a punishable act. But were there situations where committing a crime has helped society?
• According to the most recent statistics, 53% of marriages in the US end in divorce.

Updated: Apr 9th, 2024

• How to Write a Hook: East Stroudsburg University
• How to Write a Hook to Captivate Your Readers: Grammarly
• Hooks & Grabbers: Las Positas College
• Attention Getters: Grand Valley State University
• The Attention-Getter: The First Step of an Introduction: University of Minnesota

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Practical Attention-Getter Examples That’ll Engage Your Audience

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The first few seconds of your speech will determine whether or not your audience will give you their attention. This is why you should begin with attention-grabbing openings. Attention-getter examples include stories, quotes, and questions that persuades an audience to listen.

Conveying a powerful message is important, but equally important is your ability to hook your audience instantly. An attention-getter can do this for you. This guide will look at a list of attention getters and how you can use them to gain your audience’s attention .

Attention Getters: Importance in Speeches

An attention-getter is a phrase or statement that typically opens a speech and aims to grab the audience’s attention. Such statements captivate the audience, pique their curiosity, and suggest that the speaker has something insightful to convey.

When you use attention getters in your speeches, you minimize the chances of the audience tuning out, losing focus, or even half paying attention.

An attention-getter establishes credibility, gives the audience a reason to listen, and creates a clear transition into the main subject of discussion.

7 Effective Attention-Getter Examples

Attention getters are typically a speaker’s opening statement that gets the audience’s attention. They strongly influence the audience’s focus on what the speaker is saying. Here are some attention getters that have proved effective in hooking an audience.

1. Rhetorical Question

Using a rhetorical question in your speech can cause your audience to lean forward in their chairs and listen closely to you. The best way to use a rhetorical question is to ask a question that your audience would want to hear answered.

Questions are a great way to create curiosity and stir up interest. You invite the audience to interact and engage with you by posing a question. Questions will get your audience thinking and even taking sides.

2. Bold Statement

Bold statements can be a powerful attention-getter for your speech. By proclaiming something powerfully, you catch the audience’s eye and make them pay attention to you. A bold statement is a great way to convey your passion, stress the importance of an issue, and draw attention immediately.

When you make a bold statement with the correct body language, you will exude the kind of power that will make you noticeable. Shock-value statements such as “I almost died yesterday” can keep your audience engaged.

Humor is a great attention getter because it is a brilliant way to break up lengthy speeches and relieve tension in uncomfortable situations. It also puts everyone at ease by bringing laughter to otherwise dry and complex addresses.

Humor is one of the best ways to open your audience’s minds and boost your effectiveness as a speaker. However, you can only make your audience laugh with good humor.

You must understand your audience to know what kind of joke works for them. Focus on creating a humorous text that is appropriate for your audience.

4. Shocking Statistics or Facts

Most people believe that statistics is boring and, when incorporated into speeches, will make the audience disinterested. Using statistics and facts correctly can make your address more interesting for the audience, just like any attention-grabbing statement or rhetorical question can.

The key is to incorporate shocking and intriguing statistical information or piece of data without going extreme.

For example: “Did you know that more than 36 million U.S. adults cannot read above a third-grade level?” By intriguing your audience, you create a space to emphasize the importance of your message.

5. Dramatize Scenes

While statistics are suitable for speeches, too many of them can make your audience bored. Instead of making your audience understand graphs, give them a visual image or associate a relatable emotion with an abstract idea.

By painting a picture of your message, you appeal to your audience’s emotions and allow them to imagine what you’re saying. Begin with phrases like “imagine” or “picture this,” followed by descriptive words. Try “imagine millions of individuals being killed yearly due to the indoor air pollution we cause.” Instead of “four million premature deaths are caused by indoor air pollution yearly.”

6. a Good Story

Good stories make for a great speech. Many speakers have turned to stories to inspire, inform, and entertain an audience. Unlike data, which lacks human-interest when overused, stories are always engaging. Stories can also evoke an emotional response from anyone in the audience.

Mind-blowing relatable stories that entirely change an audience’s view on an issue are always great to tell. After all, you want to leave your audience with a wholly new perspective.

It’s great if your story has some lesson or mirroring. You could tell a personal story that relates to your topic. Stories are a great way to connect with an audience, not just at the beginning of your speech but in the body.

Quotes are another aspect of speaking that adds an element of interest. Quoting someone can be a great way to draw the audience in, especially if the quotes are eye-catching and exciting. A great quote can be the “hook” to the rest of your speech and help the audience take an interest in what you’re saying.

Use a quote relevant to your discussion topic, and double-check the source to avoid misquoting the person.

Attention getters are the basis for a compelling speech. Without them, your audience will most likely tune out. You have to give your audience a reason to listen to you. By incorporating attention-getting elements in your speech, you will undoubtedly entice more of your listeners to pay attention to what you have to say.

Try on the attention-getter examples listed above and see how captivated your audience will be.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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15 Powerful Attention Getters for Any Type of Speech

Coming up with a great opening line has never been so easy thanks to these ideas.

Arguably, the hardest part of writing a speech is coming up with the perfect hook. The first sentence that comes out of your mouth sets the tone for everything that's going to follow. You need to pack the first few lines with attention getters to make your speech immediately engaging to the audience.

But you don't have to be inherently good at oration like Cicero or Martin Luther King Jr. Instead, you can use these clever tactics to rock your speech from start to finish.

Effective Ways to Grab an Audience's Attention for a Speech

No two orators have the same methods, so no two speeches should start the same way. Don't be afraid to experiment with different ideas to see which one resonates the most with your topic and delivery style.

• Funny Student Council Speech Ideas to Help Everyone Relate to You
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All beginners have to start somewhere, and these are some tried-and-true proven ways to grab an audience's attention right away:

1.Start With a Powerful Question

Asking a thought-provoking question can stimulate your audience's curiosity and get them feeling interested in hearing what you plan to follow up with.

2. Use Humor to Break the Tension

Lighthearted jokes or funny anecdotes can warm up the audience by breaking the tension. After a little laugh, they'll probably be more receptive to whatever your message is.

3. Open With an Interesting Statistic

An unexpected or shocking statistic can spark interest and emphasize a major selling point of your topic. Simple stats can also be very punchy, so they make a big impact.

4. Tell a Story

Humans love a narrative, so you can start with a personal or relevant story that makes connections to the various points of your speech in an indirect way.

5. Use a Visual Element

Incorporating graphics, videos, props, or diagrams can add a new dimension to your speech and keep your audience's short attention span locked on you.

6. Quote a Famous Person

One way to open your speech is with an impactful quote from a respected figure to lend authority to your argument or topic.

7. Incorporate Interactive Features

Polls, question-and-answer sessions, or requesting audience members to share their experiences can keep your audience involved. You know what they say - idle hands are the devil's workshop.

8. Challenge Common Beliefs

Stating a contrary opinion or debunking a common myth can be an electric way to get the audience engaged.

9. Use Powerful and Emotive Language

This can draw people in and help them connect with your message on an emotional level. After all, there's a reason one of Cicero's branches of rhetoric is pathos.

10. Relate to your Audience

People like to listen to stuff they relate to, so you can start with a few examples or scenarios that are relatable to your audience's experience.

11. Use Sound Effects or Music

Audio elements can make your presentation more dynamic and memorable. It's hard to look away from a light show or someone sauntering up to the stage with a theme song.

12. Incorporate Physical Activity

Asking your audience to stand up, high five their neighbor, or do a simple exercise can re-energize them. This is especially useful if you're in a group of speeches and need to get the audience to reconnect with you.

13. Pose a Hypothetical Scenario

Paint a picture of a possible future or situation and you can pique your audience's interest.

14. Show Your Passion

Audiences tend to pay attention when speakers display genuine enthusiasm and conviction about their topic, so don't be afraid to get passionate. Inflect in your phrases and let your facial expressions run wild.

15. Surprise Your Audience

Doing something unexpected can break the routine and instantly grab the group's attention.

• Wedding Toast Examples for a Speech They'll Remember

Examples of Attention-Grabbing Phrases to Open a Speech

It's all good and well to know different methods for crafting your intro, but that doesn't magically help with putting the words together. Don't panic. We've got a whole host of attention-grabbing phrases you can use to open any speech with.

• "Imagine if you could..."
• "I'm going to reveal a secret that most experts don't want you to know."
• "How many of you have ever experienced..."
• "Let me start with an alarming fact..."
• "Raise your hand if you believe..."
• "Remember when you were a child and you believed in..."
• "Here's a shocking statistic that will make your hair stand on end..."
• "What if I told you that..."
• "Let's take a journey back in time to..."
• "I have a confession to make..."
• "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."
• "Picture this..."
• "I bet you're wondering why I'm here today..."
• "Let me tell you a story..."
• "I was in your shoes once, and then something extraordinary happened..."
• "There's an old saying that goes..."
• "Have you ever thought about why..."
• "Did you know that..."
• "Who here thinks they know what it's like to..."
• "It might sound crazy, but..."
• "Has anyone in here ever..."
• "Every second we waste, someone in the world is..."
• "I want to share with you a life-changing experience I had..."
• "When you wake up in the morning, do you ever feel..."
• "We are standing on the precipice of..."
• "There's a truth that no one talks about, and it's this..."
• "Let's take a moment to reflect on..."
• "The first time I ever experienced..."
• "Who here is brave enough to admit..."
• "Before we get started, I want to ask everyone a question..."

Use a Good Hook for a Successful Speech

People usually think about the mic drop moment towards the end of the speech and leave the opening bit for minutes before they go on. But reciting a speech isn't like performing open mic night at the comedy club.

You need a good hook to reel the audience in, and which one you use will depend on your audience, your topic, and what you want people to take away from your speech. The long and the short of it is, you might be able to procrastinate on writing your speech, but you probably don't want to leave the opener 'til last minute.

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7 Attention-Getters to Use Instead of Raising Your Voice

These visual and audio cues can help middle and high school teachers quickly get students back on track.

For many new teachers, classroom management can be one of the biggest obstacles to achieving success.

Without a toolbox of strategies to get students’ attention, raising your voice may feel like the only option when students are engaged in a loud activity or simply not meeting expectations. To avoid creating a negative classroom culture, which ultimately impedes learning, new teachers, or teachers facing new circumstances in this less than ideal school year, can employ these attention-getters.

For each of the attention-getters below, it’s important to explicitly teach students what your expectations are for how they should respond. For older students, it will likely take only a few minutes for you to demonstrate the attention-getter and share your expectations—voices are off, eyes are on the board, etc.

7 Effective Attention-Getters

1. The Clap-In (or Snap-In): The clap-in is a classic attention-getter for good reason! While many teachers resort to raising their voices when the classroom gets too loud, clapping provides an equally noticeable but far more positive way to get students’ attention. To use a clap-in, simply pick a pattern to clap and have students repeat it back. As more students join in, the clap gets spread across the room until all students are participating in the clap and ending their conversations.

There are a few ways to make this more interesting for students. One option is starting with a clap and switching to snaps. This requires students to be even quieter to be able to hear the pattern you snap and then repeat it. You can also select a student to lead the clap-in or snap-in to build further investment in the attention-getter. Finally, rather than making up your own pattern, you can work with your students to design a unique clap-in or snap-in pattern for your class.

2. Give Me Five: This is a great option that not only helps bring students’ attention back to you but also provides an opportunity for them to work together to get everyone back on track. For this attention-getter, raise your hand high so that students can see you. As each student sees the signal, they will also raise their hand. This will continue to spread until all students are silently raising their hands and looking to you for further directions.

To make this more exciting, I have timed my students to see how long it takes for everyone to raise their hand and then challenged them to beat their time. This has been a very efficient way to get the attention of all students without even using my voice at all.

3. Class-Wide Countdown: This strategy is similar to Give Me Five, as it has a cascade effect across the classroom when students join in to bring their attention back to the teacher.

To employ this strategy, the teacher begins a countdown, generally from 10, but teachers can make adjustments as needed for their individual groups; and as students hear the countdown, they join in until all students are participating. Once the entire class reaches zero, all students are silent and have their attention back on the teacher.

4. Call-and-Response: Using a call-and-response is another easy way to get students’ attention, as they will have to not only listen to join in but also stop any side conversations in order to provide the accurate response. This attention-getter provides lots of room for creativity that both teachers and students can use to make the calls-and-responses best suited for them.

It’s beneficial to involve students in the process of creating these calls-and-responses and then practice how they sound and what students are expected to do when they hear them—similar to the Clap/Snap-In.

5. Timer/Song: This strategy uses other sounds rather than a teacher’s voice to get attention and relies on a specific timed activity.

I use this strategy if I have given my students a group or partner task to complete for a specific amount of time. When they start, I begin the timer or song (instrumental works best!), and by the time the timer or song goes off, students are expected to end their conversations and return their attention to me. The timer works best for potentially louder group activities, while the song is a great option for a slightly quieter partner activity.

6. Hit the Lights: This strategy is one I use only when I need student attention  immediately back up front on me. Just like the theater signal that a performance is about to begin, a quick flash of the lights can alert students that something is about to happen. I explicitly explain to them that a quick flash of the lights means that they need to turn off their voices and track me.

I often use this strategy if students are working in groups and I only need to remind them of one quick piece of information but plan to let them return to working at their previous noise level.

7. Sound Effects: This strategy can be a more fun way to get student attention but one that must be explicitly taught so that students can be mature and meet expectations when it’s used.

For this strategy, the teacher should identify a sound—I like to use this one —that will quickly get student attention and play the sound when needed. My students know that when they hear the sound, they are expected to be in their seats, silently tracking me for directions.

Free Attention Grabber Generator for Students

Struggling to write a hook that can really attract your reader's attention? Worry no more! We present to you our free AI-powered attention grabber generator.

To use the free attention grabber generator, follow these 3 simple steps :

• Choose a hook type.
• Select your assignment type.
• Write your topic into the empty field.
• Press "Generate.”
• Get a unique hook that will definitely light a spark in the hearts of your potential readers!
• 🔥 The Perks of Our Generator

⚓ What Is an Attention Grabber?

• 🤩 Types of Attention Getters
• ✍️ Essay Hook Examples

🔍 References

🔥 the perks of our attention grabber generator.

What makes our attention grabber generator so great? Well, there are many things that distinguish it from the rest! Check them out:

An attention grabber is a catchy sentence that piques readers' interest and makes an introduction intriguing. It’s usually located in the first line or paragraph of a text.

All forms of writing need hooks. Research papers, narrative essays, and literary texts all benefit from a well-written attention grabber .

Purpose of Hooks in Essays

A hook aims to attract the reader and motivate them to focus on your paper and read it till the end. A great hook will ensure that your reader remains attentive to your writing, immersing them in your narrative or arguments fully.

The best hooks draw as much interest from the audience as possible. They typically do so by placing the reader in the heart of a dramatic action or arousing curiosity. This effect can be achieved by asking a fascinating question, telling an anecdote, or addressing an important problem.

🤩 Attention Grabber Types

Like a skilled fisherman who chooses the perfect bait for each kind of fish, you need to know which type of hook will get the most attention from your readers.

There are a few different types of hooks that you can use:

• An anecdote hook.
• Statistics hook.
• A question hook.
• Descriptive hooks.
• Joke hooks.

Keep reading to learn more about them!

How to Make the Story Attention Grabber

A personal narrative, an anecdote describing what happened to someone else, or an autobiographic story can successfully attract the reader’s attention. The main requirements are:

• It should be related to the essay's subject.
• It must make the readers curious about what will happen next.

How to Use Statistics as an Attention Grabber

Statistics and shocking facts can do a great job of catching your reader's attention . They offer reliable information on your chosen topic and impress the audience with your expertise right at the beginning of your essay.

Keep in mind that you must present information that is verifiable and true, as well as intriguing.

The Question Attention Grabber

Another classic way to pique a reader's interest is to introduce a captivating question. Readers will be compelled to read your material carefully when it starts with a question that interests them. Just make sure to answer it somewhere in the text!

Descriptive Attention Grabber

A well-written description of a scene or an exciting situation can raise interest even from the coldest readers. If you plan to use a descriptive hook, you might have to make it slightly longer. A proper description usually requires going into detail, so make sure that your word count allows that.

Joke Attention Grabbers

Telling jokes in your hook is another notable way to lighten the mood of your readers and make them more engaged. If you plan to use this type of attention grabber, do it responsibly and avoid joking around too much. We also don't recommend using this type of hook in academic writing or formal essays.

✍️ Essay Hook Examples for Inspiration

If you’re looking for hooks on various topics, look no further! Here are some curious hook examples that will definitely boost your inspiration. We also recommend you check out our free attention grabber generator to get even more creative hooks for your essays.

Hook for Social Media Essay

As you can see, this particular example uses a thought-provoking question. It states the problem and proposes to start a discussion. It's an excellent way to start an essay.

Hook for Abortion Essay

This example uses startling statistics to show the reader why it is important to look deeper into the topic of abortions.

Hook for Great Gatsby Essay

This example starts with a question that fits perfectly with the topic.

Hook for Romeo and Juliet Essay

The example above uses a quotation to strengthen the impact on the reader. It's also taken from the literary work that the essay is about.

And with that, we conclude this article. Don’t hesitate to use our free attention grabber generator if you want to get a perfect hook or just boost your inspiration!

We recommend you also try our sentence rewriter and essay conclusion generator .

❓ Attention Grabber Generator FAQ

❓ what is a good hook sentence for an essay.

Here’s an example of a good hook sentence: "Every day, technological progress changes the face of the Earth. The proof of this is the human-related extinction of numerous species over the past 200 years. However, technology can also help us conserve endangered species.”

❓ What is an attention grabber?

An attention grabber is the first sentence the reader sees in a text. An attention grabber can be a question, quote, piece of statistics, a short anecdote, or even a joke.

❓ What are some good attention-getters?

A good attention grabber must be short and catchy but also logical and based on facts. For example: “American Statistical Association claims that each fifth American citizen dies from smoking-related health issues.”

❓ What is a strong opening sentence?

A solid opening sentence usually begins with a catchy, motivating, or even controversial statement. It can be formulated as a question, quote, or narrative. For example: “Humanity has seen many crises. We’ve conquered the plague, avoided a nuclear catastrophe, and now we’re looking for a way to solve another major issue—a problem of global warming.”

• The Attention-Getter: The First Step of an Introduction: University of Minnesota
• Hooks and Attention Grabbers: George Brown College
• Attention Getters: Grand Valley State University
• 5 Types of Attention Getters in Essays: Classroom

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Choosing an opener (attention getter) for my essay/speech

Hello, I’m tryna write an essay (an outline to my speech tbh) about something that I want to change in my life (which is my OCD) and I couldn’t pick which phrase to begin with as an attention getter, could you guys help me?

Covid-19 caused me a mental condition (will be complete with the story of how it started but not detailed)

“I know my hands are clean, but I have to wash them anyway.. I know I already wash then once, but I feel the need to wash them one more time”. (And will be completed with something as “these are the thoughts that goes into my mind every second of my day..etc”)

For the past year.. I hated my life!

For the past year.. my life was a hell

For the past year.. I was living in a miserable

Which one do you think is the best?

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