The Hook!

starting "in medius res"

• means "in the middle of things"
• start where there's action or conflict
• backtrack once you grab attention

a startling statement

• surprise, horrify, amuse, or anger
• can exaggerate, but don't be obnoxious
• make your reader want to read more!

a controversial statement

• be controversial or daring
• your reader might disagree
• ex: "Darwin was wrong"
• ex: "Bush was right"

a quotation

• from a famous person
• from a literary selection
• DIALOGUE from your narrative
• a SOUND from your narrative
• -onomatopoeia 

vivid description

• use sensory details
• paint a verbal picture
• DON'T say "picture/imagine this"

an anecdote

• a short example/story
• can be real or hypothetical
• "If I wasn't an only child..."