Definition of Descriptive Hook
A descriptive hook engages the readers through the description of a scene, character, or setting interestingly to lead them the background information of the essay. It shows the best use of sensory details, suggestive language, and figures of speech. These features make the readers aware of the world the storyline presents, forcing them to visualize this world and experience the event picturizing them in their “mind’s eyes.”
Therefore, a descriptive hook paints a beautiful picture of things, creating a sensory and emotional connection of the readers with the setting and the plot or the characters of the story or the essay.
Functions of Descriptive Hook
- Creating Clear Images: Descriptive hooks paint a clear picture of the setting of the story in the minds of the readers; thus forcing them to visualize the scene, character, or setting. For example, “The moonlight danced on the rippling surface of the tranquil lake, casting a mesmerizing glow that stretched as far as the eye could see.” This descriptive hook uses imagery to evoke a serene and captivating visual image, making the image of the lake in the imagination of the readers.
- Setting the Tone or Atmosphere: Descriptive hooks help the writers to establish a specific tone or atmosphere for their story or scene coming in the essay. For instance, “The dense fog enveloped the ancient graveyard, shrouding the moss-covered tombstones in an eerie cloak of mystery.” This descriptive hook shows the arrival of a mysterious atmosphere, preparing the readers for an eerie and interesting narrative.
- Creating Emotional Connection: Descriptive hooks also evoke emotions and create an emotional connection between the reader and the story. For example, “The warm embrace of the sun’s rays kissed her cheeks, filling her heart with a sense of joy and renewed hope.” This hook uses unique metaphors and personifications to make the readers feel love, warmth, and positivity about the setting.
- Establishing Character Presence: Descriptive hooks introduce characters in a way that captures the mind of the readers to show their presence. For instance, “His eyes, as blue as the depths of the ocean, held a glint of mischief that hinted at the adventures that lay ahead.” This hook provides a catchy description through a strong simile, to show depth and strength in the character of the essay/story.
- Creating Suspense or Intrigue: Descriptive hooks also create suspense by providing tantalizing glimpses of a situation or event. For example, “A single drop of blood dripped from her trembling hand, staining the pristine white carpet, as the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder.” This descriptive hook presents a mysterious but harrowing situation, making the readers eager to find out what happened next and its reasons.
- Establishing Context and Period: Descriptive hooks also help to establish the context or period about the event of the story, providing important details that pull the readers into the setting. “The cobbled streets of Victorian London echoed with the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the calls of street vendors.” This descriptive hook transports the readers to a historical era that belongs to Victorian London to force them to see the market of that time.
These functions not only present the tasks that a descriptive hook performs, but also show that they could be of different types. Some of the descriptive hook types are as follows.
Types and Examples of Descriptive Hook
Suggested Readings
- Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Sommers. A Writer’s Reference. 9th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2018.
- Lunsford, Andrea A. The St. Martin’s Handbook. 8th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2018.
- Strunk, William, Jr., and E.B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed., Longman, 2000.
- Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. 3rd ed., W.W. Norton & Co., 2014.
- Williams, Joseph M. Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace. 5th ed., Pearson, 2014.
- Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 9th ed., University of Chicago Press, 2018.
- Swales, John M., and Christine B. Feak. Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills. 3rd ed., University of Michigan Press, 2012.