Anecdotal Hook

When a writer uses a short story to relate to the topic and gain the reader’s attention, they are using an anecdote. This story can be a short, personal story or one that is a figment of your imagination. Make sure that it relates to the main idea of the paper. Show the relevance that it has to the topic of the paper.

• Example: When my son's dog was diagnosed with cancer, we were all devastated. She was not young, but still had many years ahead, or so we hoped. He knew the bills for treatment would add up quickly but he had to try. Each month seemed more than the last, but he would not give up hope. He saw others at the canine cancer clinic making tough choices due to finances. He dipped into savings. In time, she lost her battle to the dreaded disease. But he was glad he had tried. After, he wondered, what if he had not had savings to take from? Would he have had to make that awful choice? Before his new pup came home, he had already researched and chosen a good pet health insurance plan. He was determined to be prepared.

Sad story aside, this is a good lead-in to an article about pet health insurance plans. And it works well with any such topic. Stories capture our attention, entertain us, and they hook readers to find out more.

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