Essay EssentialsInterest Catchers &Thesis Statements

Interest Catchers

•The purpose of a hook, or interest catcher, is to grab the reader’s attention.

•This will inspire the reader to read on because he or she will want to find about more about your topic.

Interest Catcher Examples• 1. Rhetorical Question (a question that does not

necessarily need an answer because the writer assumes the reader knows the answer):

▫ "Is love simply a result of chemical reactions in our brains?“

▫Starting an essay with a question engages the reader as s/he naturally tries to answer the said question.

• 2. Talk to the reader

▫ Imagine biting into a sweet, creamy, decadent treat this St. Patrick’s Day.  

Interest Catcher Examples• 3. Anecdote (brief story)

▫ "When my parents first met, my Mother was wearing a yellow sun dress which complimented her blue eyes and tanned skin. My Father thought she looked like an angel".

▫ Because most people enjoy hearing and reading stories, starting an essay with a short story or anecdote is also effective. Most readers become curious, and they look forward to what will happen next to the story's characters.

▫ When using the narrative form to start an essay, provide many details that will create a mental picture in the reader's mind. This will make it easier for the reader to go along and understand the story.

Interest Catcher Examples• 4. Quote:

▫ "Oscar Wilde said, 'Men always want to be a woman's first love. Women have a more subtle instinct. What they like to be is a man's last romance'.“

▫ Citing a famous quote will establish rapport with the reader, especially if the reader also knows that quote.

▫ Many people are emotionally attached to certain quotes, because they tug on their heartstrings and mirror what they believe.

▫ What's more, people tend to be interested about knowing what famous people say or do.

Interest Catcher Examples• 5. Shocking Fact/Statistic:

▫Every year, over 100,000 couples get married in Las Vegas.

▫The human eye is attracted to big numbers, so it will grab attention. Also, numbers stand out in a sea of text.

▫AVOID using words like "many" or "much" – it will lower the effectiveness of this method.; however, if you are not sure about a certain statistic, you can use words like "hundreds,” "thousands" and "millions.”

Sample Persuasive Prompt #1• Your high school is making a proposal that all students

will be required to wear uniforms to school beginning in the fall. This proposal is causing controversy all throughout the school because some feel uniforms are a good idea, while some do not.

• The editor of your school newspaper is looking for student feedback. Your task is to write a persuasive letter to the newspaper either supporting or opposing the proposal for high school students to wear uniforms.

Potential Interest Catchers• Question: How would you feel if you looked

exactly the same as the person sitting next to you in class?

• Talk to the reader: Imagine how much easier it would be in the morning getting dressed for school if you just had to put on a uniform.

• Anecdote: Before I go to bed every night, I always think about what I am going to wear to school tomorrow. I stand in front of the closet and stare at all the jeans, shirts, and shoes, and wonder what I will select.

Potential Interest Catchers• Question: Have you ever gone somewhere and

noticed that someone is wearing the same thing as you?

• Quote: My mom always says, “Always be what you want to be; be yourself.”

• Talk to the reader: Imagine spending money on something that you were told you could no longer use.

• Shocking Fact: Did you know that students who wear uniforms to school save about $1,000 on clothes per year?

Thesis Statements in a Persuasive Essay

• This thesis is a statement of opinion.

• You must either be FOR or AGAINST the issue.

• Be sure to include your reasons in your thesis.

• Certain terms should NOT be used in a thesis for a persuasive essay :▫ All, never, best, every, always, worst, none▫ These words make it difficult to prove your point because

they are too inclusive or general - there can easily be a contrasting or opposing point.

• Try to use the writing situation for the beginning of the thesis.

Thesis Statements in a Persuasive Essay

•Let’s try…•The editor of your school newspaper is

looking for student feedback. Your task is to write a persuasive letter to the newspaper either supporting or opposing the proposal for high school students to wear uniforms.

Sample Thesis

•Even though students' individuality is important to express one's self, uniforms should be adopted in some public schools because it lowers disciplinary referrals and helps students focus on learning.

Persuasive Prompt #2• Driver's Ed or Personal Finance?

• Young people need many skills to be successful adults after high school: They should learn how to properly save and spend money in order to manage their finances, but they also require driving skills in order to be safe on the road.

• Imagine that your school has announced that it will sponsor either a Driver's Education or Personal Finance class for all seniors in your school.  Which class do you think is more important for students at your school?  Write an essay to your principal in which you support the choice of one class or the other.  Be sure to support your choice with relevant details and arguments.