Citizen Composer Essay
Introduction using Funnel Technique
• Avoid “imagine if”
statements, rhetorical
questions, or flowery
descriptions
• Make sure lead is relevant
to rest of paper
Hook
Background
Thesis
• Broad overview of major topics (avoid
specific facts or sub topics)
• Provide reader with a brief background
of your issue.
• Make sure introduction and thesis fit together
• Relevant
• Cohesive, strong thesis (revised)
• Avoid journalistic style (No personal pronouns,
contractions, or slang)
Types of Hooks
1.
Strong statement- A startling or strong statement can attract
people to join the conversation (purpose is to shock or provoke or
intrigue reader)
2.
Anecdote- Provides a scenario, a scene, or a narrative story
example to act as an entryway into the issue at hand. Make sure
the story is focused and doesn’t drag on too long.
3.
Exaggeration- Grabs the reader’s attention by using an outrageous
statement.
4.
Quote/statistic/Fact- Provides a numerical piece of evidence that
will interest or shock the reader into paying attention.
5.
Question- When used sparingly, a question can get the reader
participating in the opinions of the issue.
Directions:
1.
Circulate around the table to read all 7 example hooks.
2.
Identify your two favorite.
3.
Write an abbreviated draft of these two hook styles for your
argumentative essay.
4.
Share your two possible hooks with a partner. Together you will
discuss the merits of each and decide which one you will develop
for the introduction of your essay.
5.
Draft your hook at the top of your word document essay draft!
Citizen Composer
Sample Hooks Core Assessment
Sample #1
Studies have shown that proper learning cannot take place
unless a student feels secure in his school environment. Yet, nearly
every day there is a story on the local news about a child being bullied at
school. Even worse, there are cases of violence and death associated
with bullying. Though a school district may not be fully responsible for
children’s behavior during the school day, they are able to take certain
measures to make sure all students feel safe at school, receive their
education, and be able to engage in nonthreatening relations.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Strong statement
Sample #2
Imagine a school in which there is no violence or theft. It’s a
place where students are able to perform to their maximum potential
both in the classroom and outside of it. This school has little, if any,
reports of bullying due to a decrease in peer pressure. It may seem
unbelievable, but according to the Department of Education, when
school uniforms are instituted, there is a decrease of bullying and theft,
and students show an increase in academic performance. Let’s make
this true of our district, too, and implement a policy of school uniforms
throughout our district.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Anecdote (general)
Sample #3
Fifth grader Josh Evans comes home every evening to face hours of
homework ahead of him. After his four o’clock snack and his favorite
show, he sits down to contemplate math problems, practice his
handwriting, complete his science questions, and read his independent
book. If you factor in the half an hour for dinner, he will get to bed, on
average, at ten o’clock at night. This, if he is allowed no other free time.
While homework may be practical and even required for some districts,
students like Josh should not be wasting their time and energy if it is not
truly helping. Homework should be limited in order to stop unnecessary
assignments, create more family time, and promote creativity and
imagination in young children.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Anecdote (specific)
Sample #4
Since the beginning of time man has dreamed about exploring
the infinite space that surrounds Planet Earth. With the advanced
technology developed by today’s top scientists, it has finally become
possible. It all started on October 4, 1957 when the United States and
the Soviet Union challenged each other on space exploration. Now all of
this is being jeopardized by the problems and costs of NSSA’s program.
Space exploration should continue in the United States because it could
provide materials to help some sicknesses, could solve some
unanswered questions about civilization’s creation, and can satisfy the
human appetite for adventure.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Exaggeration
Sample #5
About three million people die from air pollution worldwide.
That is an unacceptable death toll. Air pollution is not only bad for our
health, but also for the environment. After all, air pollution is also
getting even worse since there are more vehicles and factories polluting
the air. Clearly, air pollution is a serious issue and should be noticed by
the government. Congress should enforce a law or act that will improve
air pollution throughout the country.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Strong statement
Sample #6
According to one source, “Oil, coal, and natural gas supply
nearly 88 percent of the world’s energy needs” (“Fossil Fuels vs.
Renewable Energy Resources”). According to Mirriam-Webster, a fossil
fuel is coal, oil, or natural gas formed in the earth from plant or animal
remains. The dependence on fossil fuels has negative consequences for
our nation, including high pollution rates and the risk of depleting these
sources. Where as, alternative energy sources, also called renewable
energy sources, off the solution to the fossil fuel problem. Renewable
energy sources are sources of energy that are unlimited. The United
States should transfer to alternative energy sources rather than using
fossil fuels because they are clean, abundant, and affordable.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Quote/statistic + fact
Sample #7
Why do millions of dollars each year go to paying professional
baseball players’ salaries? Are these ridiculously high salaries fair and
deserved? Baseball is considered to be the All-American sport--our
national pastime. It is past time that fans continue to pay high ticket
prices to fund the salaries of professional baseball players.
Type of Hook Technique Used: question
Answer key
1.
Strong statement
2.
Anecdote (general)
3.
Anecdote (specific)
4.
Exaggeration
5.
Strong statement
6.
Quote/statistic + fact
7.
question
Citizen Composer Essay
Conclusion using Reverse Funnel
Technique
Thesis and
Reasons
Call to
Action
Concluding sentence;
Clincher
• Use new words to review
your thesis and reasons (a
fresh look at the same
message)
• Now that you’ve persuaded
your audience, call for “an
authority” to make your
desired change.
• Leave the reader with an
enduring idea, message, or
thought.
• Bring your writing to a
close.
Sample #1
Studies have shown that proper learning cannot take place
unless a student feels secure in his school environment. Yet, nearly
every day there is a story on the local news about a child being bullied at
school. Even worse, there are cases of violence and death associated
with bullying. Though a school district may not be fully responsible for
children’s behavior during the school day, they are able to take certain
measures to make sure all students feel safe at school, receive their
education, and be able to engage in nonthreatening relations.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Strong statement
Sample #2
Imagine a school in which there is no violence or theft. It’s a
place where students are able to perform to their maximum potential
both in the classroom and outside of it. This school has little, if any,
reports of bullying due to a decrease in peer pressure. It may seem
unbelievable, but according to the Department of Education, when
school uniforms are instituted, there is a decrease of bullying and theft,
and students show an increase in academic performance. Let’s make
this true of our district, too, and implement a policy of school uniforms
throughout our district.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Anecdote (general)
Sample #3
Fifth grader Josh Evans comes home every evening to face hours of
homework ahead of him. After his four o’clock snack and his favorite
show, he sits down to contemplate math problems, practice his
handwriting, complete his science questions, and read his independent
book. If you factor in the half an hour for dinner, he will get to bed, on
average, at ten o’clock at night. This, if he is allowed no other free time.
While homework may be practical and even required for some districts,
students like Josh should not be wasting their time and energy if it is not
truly helping. Homework should be limited in order to stop unnecessary
assignments, create more family time, and promote creativity and
imagination in young children.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Anecdote (specific)
Sample #4
Since the beginning of time man has dreamed about exploring
the infinite space that surrounds Planet Earth. With the advanced
technology developed by today’s top scientists, it has finally become
possible. It all started on October 4, 1957 when the United States and
the Soviet Union challenged each other on space exploration. Now all of
this is being jeopardized by the problems and costs of NSSA’s program.
Space exploration should continue in the United States because it could
provide materials to help some sicknesses, could solve some
unanswered questions about civilization’s creation, and can satisfy the
human appetite for adventure.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Exaggeration
Sample #5
About three million people die from air pollution worldwide.
That is an unacceptable death toll. Air pollution is not only bad for our
health, but also for the environment. After all, air pollution is also
getting even worse since there are more vehicles and factories polluting
the air. Clearly, air pollution is a serious issue and should be noticed by
the government. Congress should enforce a law or act that will improve
air pollution throughout the country.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Strong statement
Sample #6
According to one source, “Oil, coal, and natural gas supply
nearly 88 percent of the world’s energy needs” (“Fossil Fuels vs.
Renewable Energy Resources”). According to Mirriam-Webster, a fossil
fuel is coal, oil, or natural gas formed in the earth from plant or animal
remains. The dependence on fossil fuels has negative consequences for
our nation, including high pollution rates and the risk of depleting these
sources. Where as, alternative energy sources, also called renewable
energy sources, off the solution to the fossil fuel problem. Renewable
energy sources are sources of energy that are unlimited. The United
States should transfer to alternative energy sources rather than using
fossil fuels because they are clean, abundant, and affordable.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Quote/statistic + fact
Sample #7
Why do millions of dollars each year go to paying professional
baseball players’ salaries? Are these ridiculously high salaries fair and
deserved? Baseball is considered to be the All-American sport--our
national pastime. It is past time that fans continue to pay high ticket
prices to fund the salaries of professional baseball players.
Type of Hook Technique Used: question
Sample #1
Studies have shown that proper learning cannot take place
unless a student feels secure in his school environment. Yet, nearly
every day there is a story on the local news about a child being bullied at
school. Even worse, there are cases of violence and death associated
with bullying. Though a school district may not be fully responsible for
children’s behavior during the school day, they are able to take certain
measures to make sure all students feel safe at school, receive their
education, and be able to engage in nonthreatening relations.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Strong statement
Sample #2
Imagine a school in which there is no violence or theft. It’s a
place where students are able to perform to their maximum potential
both in the classroom and outside of it. This school has little, if any,
reports of bullying due to a decrease in peer pressure. It may seem
unbelievable, but according to the Department of Education, when
school uniforms are instituted, there is a decrease of bullying and theft,
and students show an increase in academic performance. Let’s make
this true of our district, too, and implement a policy of school uniforms
throughout our district.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Anecdote (general)
Sample #3
Fifth grader Josh Evans comes home every evening to face hours of
homework ahead of him. After his four o’clock snack and his favorite
show, he sits down to contemplate math problems, practice his
handwriting, complete his science questions, and read his independent
book. If you factor in the half an hour for dinner, he will get to bed, on
average, at ten o’clock at night. This, if he is allowed no other free time.
While homework may be practical and even required for some districts,
students like Josh should not be wasting their time and energy if it is not
truly helping. Homework should be limited in order to stop unnecessary
assignments, create more family time, and promote creativity and
imagination in young children.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Anecdote (specific)
Sample #4
Since the beginning of time man has dreamed about exploring
the infinite space that surrounds Planet Earth. With the advanced
technology developed by today’s top scientists, it has finally become
possible. It all started on October 4, 1957 when the United States and
the Soviet Union challenged each other on space exploration. Now all of
this is being jeopardized by the problems and costs of NSSA’s program.
Space exploration should continue in the United States because it could
provide materials to help some sicknesses, could solve some
unanswered questions about civilization’s creation, and can satisfy the
human appetite for adventure.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Exaggeration
Sample #5
About three million people die from air pollution worldwide.
That is an unacceptable death toll. Air pollution is not only bad for our
health, but also for the environment. After all, air pollution is also
getting even worse since there are more vehicles and factories polluting
the air. Clearly, air pollution is a serious issue and should be noticed by
the government. Congress should enforce a law or act that will improve
air pollution throughout the country.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Strong statement
Sample #6
According to one source, “Oil, coal, and natural gas supply
nearly 88 percent of the world’s energy needs” (“Fossil Fuels vs.
Renewable Energy Resources”). According to Mirriam-Webster, a fossil
fuel is coal, oil, or natural gas formed in the earth from plant or animal
remains. The dependence on fossil fuels has negative consequences for
our nation, including high pollution rates and the risk of depleting these
sources. Where as, alternative energy sources, also called renewable
energy sources, off the solution to the fossil fuel problem. Renewable
energy sources are sources of energy that are unlimited. The United
States should transfer to alternative energy sources rather than using
fossil fuels because they are clean, abundant, and affordable.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Quote/statistic + fact
Sample #7
Why do millions of dollars each year go to paying professional
baseball players’ salaries? Are these ridiculously high salaries fair and
deserved? Baseball is considered to be the All-American sport--our
national pastime. It is past time that fans continue to pay high ticket
prices to fund the salaries of professional baseball players.
Type of Hook Technique Used: question
Sample #1
Studies have shown that proper learning cannot take place
unless a student feels secure in his school environment. Yet, nearly
every day there is a story on the local news about a child being bullied at
school. Even worse, there are cases of violence and death associated
with bullying. Though a school district may not be fully responsible for
children’s behavior during the school day, they are able to take certain
measures to make sure all students feel safe at school, receive their
education, and be able to engage in nonthreatening relations.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Strong statement
Sample #2
Imagine a school in which there is no violence or theft. It’s a
place where students are able to perform to their maximum potential
both in the classroom and outside of it. This school has little, if any,
reports of bullying due to a decrease in peer pressure. It may seem
unbelievable, but according to the Department of Education, when
school uniforms are instituted, there is a decrease of bullying and theft,
and students show an increase in academic performance. Let’s make
this true of our district, too, and implement a policy of school uniforms
throughout our district.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Anecdote (general)
Sample #3
Fifth grader Josh Evans comes home every evening to face hours of
homework ahead of him. After his four o’clock snack and his favorite
show, he sits down to contemplate math problems, practice his
handwriting, complete his science questions, and read his independent
book. If you factor in the half an hour for dinner, he will get to bed, on
average, at ten o’clock at night. This, if he is allowed no other free time.
While homework may be practical and even required for some districts,
students like Josh should not be wasting their time and energy if it is not
truly helping. Homework should be limited in order to stop unnecessary
assignments, create more family time, and promote creativity and
imagination in young children.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Anecdote (specific)
Sample #4
Since the beginning of time man has dreamed about exploring
the infinite space that surrounds Planet Earth. With the advanced
technology developed by today’s top scientists, it has finally become
possible. It all started on October 4, 1957 when the United States and
the Soviet Union challenged each other on space exploration. Now all of
this is being jeopardized by the problems and costs of NSSA’s program.
Space exploration should continue in the United States because it could
provide materials to help some sicknesses, could solve some
unanswered questions about civilization’s creation, and can satisfy the
human appetite for adventure.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Exaggeration
Sample #5
About three million people die from air pollution worldwide.
That is an unacceptable death toll. Air pollution is not only bad for our
health, but also for the environment. After all, air pollution is also
getting even worse since there are more vehicles and factories polluting
the air. Clearly, air pollution is a serious issue and should be noticed by
the government. Congress should enforce a law or act that will improve
air pollution throughout the country.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Strong statement
Sample #6
According to one source, “Oil, coal, and natural gas supply
nearly 88 percent of the world’s energy needs” (“Fossil Fuels vs.
Renewable Energy Resources”). According to Mirriam-Webster, a fossil
fuel is coal, oil, or natural gas formed in the earth from plant or animal
remains. The dependence on fossil fuels has negative consequences for
our nation, including high pollution rates and the risk of depleting these
sources. Where as, alternative energy sources, also called renewable
energy sources, off the solution to the fossil fuel problem. Renewable
energy sources are sources of energy that are unlimited. The United
States should transfer to alternative energy sources rather than using
fossil fuels because they are clean, abundant, and affordable.
Type of Hook Technique Used: Quote/statistic + fact
Sample #7
Why do millions of dollars each year go to paying professional
baseball players’ salaries? Are these ridiculously high salaries fair and
deserved? Baseball is considered to be the All-American sport--our
national pastime. It is past time that fans continue to pay high ticket
prices to fund the salaries of professional baseball players.
Type of Hook Technique Used: question