So you have to write an essay that is related to sports. Great! Sports is an interesting topic that can be made even more interesting depending on how you present it.
One of the best ways to get readers interested and motivated to read your essay is by having a hook. A hook is the first sentence or two that is designed to really captivate the reader. It should be related to your overall topic but doesn’t necessarily have to be the focus of your essay, just connected. It should also be something that is surprising or thought-provoking.
There are several types of hooks that you can use. Here we will go over each one, plus some useful examples so you can see them in action! All of the following are sports related.
- Quotations
Quotations used as hooks can either be used to make the reader think or be said by someone famous in order to draw the reader in. Using a quote makes for a good introduction because it provides a good lead in to your topic.
Examples:
“If you’re not the first, then you’re the last.” – Ricky Bobby
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan
“Pain is temporary. Greatness is forever.”
- Personal Experience
Personal experience with a particular subject in sports will make your hook very interesting because you are putting yourself in your essay. Most poorly written essays are very dry and boring because they have no sense of a person. Starting with the personal experience shows the reader that the author (you) is present.
Examples:
I’ll never forget the summer of 1989 when the Buck won the championship.
I absolutely hated Physical Education while I was growing up.
Once, I got hit in the head so hard with a baseball that it knocked me unconscious.
- Facts
Facts or statistics can often surprise readers. That should be your goal when using this hook. You want them to be intrigued by the figure or real statement you have just given. It could be something unusual, impressive, or profound.
Examples:
There are only two days out of the year that do not feature any professional sports games in the U.S.
The average golf ball has 336 divots.
In 15 seasons with the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth only won four World Series.
- Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical questions are questions that you don’t expect to be answered. They are either to state the obvious or to make you think. They are often used as hooks in essays to help lead the reader to the topic of the paper. There is no way they can be answered anyway because essays are a one-sided conversation! The answer should be written directly after it is given.
Examples:
What’s the one thing that can bring a nation together and instill national pride?
Why do different countries have different sports?
Who will win the Super Bowl this year?
- Anecdotes
Anecdotes are stories. They are very closely related to personal experience, and can even often be the same thing. We’ve made them different categories because personal experience is always about you or something you know, whereas an anecdote can be about anyone or anything.
Examples:
Mother of three, Anna Smith lost her leg while running the Boston Marathon.
It was a dark and stormy night when the teen had finally decided what he wanted to be. He was going to pour all his effort into becoming the world’s best hockey player.
- Controversial Statements
Controversy is everywhere, and that is inclusive of sports. Controversial statements instantly give the reader a chance to say I completely agree, or I disagree. If they agree, they will be eager to hear what they already know to make their decision stronger. If they disagree, they will be eager to read and find the flaws in your argument. Either way, it’s a good hook!
Examples:
American football needs to be discontinued because of the growing evidence that hard hits can lead to death over time.
All professional sports player should be required to go to college in order to be able to participate.
The GPA should be raised to 2.5 for high school students to participate in team sports.
Your thesis will outline the broad reasons you agree or disagree with the controversial statement.
- Definition
There are such things as definition essays, in fact, you may have written one before, but using a definition as a hook is different. It gives a good idea as to what your essay will be about and although since a definition is so clear, it paves the way for you to write about how it applies to your topic in a flexible or rigid way.
Examples:
A sore loser is someone who easily gets upset after losing and tends to blame others for the loss.
Teamwork is defined as the combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient.
As you can see, you have many options when it comes to finding the perfect hook. You just have to decide which one will work best for writing your particular academic essay from scratch. Which is your style? Which will resonate with your readers more? Answer these questions, and you’re on the right track!