The Key to Great Essay Beginnings… and Endings!

1. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” The Key to Great Essay Beginnings… and Endings! Establish personality with your VOICE!

2. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher What is a Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher? GRABBER: A Creative Hook is a story or an anecdoteclosely related to the topic or prompt. This anecdote will link to the focus of your paper. The link is CRUCIAL to the effectiveness of the Creative Hook Grabber. The link connects the Creative Hook to your Thesis Statement.

3. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher What is a Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher? CLINCHER: Lock up your essay by restating your Thesis Statement and Linkingback to your story or anecdote. Wrapping up your Creative hook story or anecdote is also CRUCIALto the effectiveness of this concept.

4. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher Why does the Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher work? The Creative Hook GRABBER: Hooks your audience with a unique beginning. Incorporates your personality and style. Provides an effective link to the essay topic. Ends with a solid thesis statement. The Creative Hook CLINCHER: Brings it all together at the end. Best of all . . . All 6-Traits are incorporated throughout.

5. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Hook Ideas: Organization: I can’t believe it! Yet another zero for homework I know I completed. The sad part is that I know it is somewhere in my backpack, hidden in a misnamed folder that I hurriedly gathered this morning. My parents are definitely going to kill me. I can hear my mother’s voice inside my head: “If you get another “F” in Language Arts, you are off the computer for a week!” Computer restriction is the last thing I need. In fact, having a portable computer that I could use at home and at school is just the thing to get me back on track. Students should be given a small, portable computer to use at home and school because it would help them stay organized, allow them to be technologically up to date, and it is environmentally friendly. Voice: Link to Prompt Conventions: Sentence Fluency: Thesis Statement Word Choice:

6. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Re-state Thesis in 2 sentences Link back to hook It seems extremely clear that having a portable computer to use at home and at school would help students be successful by keeping their materials organized. It would also keep them up to date with technology and would have a positive impact on the environment. With these superb reasons, I am sure I can convince my mom that having a portable computer is a great idea.I just don’t know about that restriction. Lock it up!

7. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Hook Ideas: Organization: “Attention students! For homework tonight you will be completingall of the problems on page 147, numbers 1-38, and make sure to show your work.” As I hurried to write the assignment in my agenda, I couldn’t help but wonder how much more efficient I’d be with a personal laptop. With six classes and extra-curriculars to juggle, each day seems more challenging than the one before. Using a laptop computer throughout the day will help me stay organized, make research more effective, and allow me to practice using new technology. Voice: Sentence Fluency: Link to Prompt Conventions: Thesis Statement Word Choice:

8. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Re-state Thesis in 2 sentences Link back to hook Having my own laptop will keep me organized. Additionally, I can conduct research with ease and stay up-to-date with technology. Armed with outstanding evidence of just how beneficial a laptop will be, I knew I would be able to convince my mom and even my teachers that all students should have one in school. As I raced to my next class, I continued to think of all the ways a computer would help me be more successful. Lock it up!

9. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Hook Ideas: Organization: It is last period, just minutes to go before the school year is over; all of the students are jumping off the walls with excitement. Summer is about to begin! Just when I thought the class couldn't get any louder, everyone was completely silent, gazingat the teacher. They recognizedthat she was devastatedbecause her best class was about to leave. Suddenly, the bell rang, and all the students left, but I stood there thinking about all that I learned that year. The project that stood out the most was the community outreach project our class completed when we were studying citizenship.Being a good citizen means demonstrating obedience for laws, showing respect, and exhibiting cooperation within one’s community. Voice: Sentence Fluency: Link to Prompt Conventions: Thesis Statement Word Choice:

10. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Re-state Thesis in 2 sentences Link back to hook By practicing good citizenship, I demonstrate obedience for laws. Also, I show respect and cooperation within my community. Suddenly, I am shaken from my reverie by my teacher.As I banish the thoughts from my mind, I see her smiling at me. “Thanks for a great year,” I say. Running quickly out the door, I am ready to begin to my fun-filled summer. Lock it up!

11. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Hook Ideas: Organization: On a gloriouslybright summer day at the beach, I lay alone in the sand and felt almost zen-like. With a glimpseof the aqua ocean in front of me, I knew I was in paradise. My soul seemed to have immerseditself into a deep meditationin which the soft breeze upon my face was my only companion. Of all vacation spots from big cities, mountain ranges, and amusement parks, nothing compares to the beauty of being seaside. Vacationing on the beach is a relaxing and fun-filled adventure all at once. Voice: Sentence Fluency: Link to Prompt Conventions: Thesis Statement Word Choice:

12. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Link back to hook Re-state Thesis in 2 sentences A seaside vacation can fulfill any adventurer’s heart. Also, it can provide relaxation from stressful day-to-day life. As I glance up from my beach chair, I glimpse a parasail flying high above the ocean. Brushing the sand from my body, I head over to the parasailing stand; I am ready for an adventure. Lock it up!

13. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Hook Ideas: Organization: As the bell rings, I raceout the door looking forward to the weekend. I leaponto the bus and take the last seat available. Glancing towards the entrance, I see a gorgeous girl slowly climbing the steps up the bus. Once she nears my seat, I bounceup. “Hi,” I say to her, “Do you want my seat? It’s the last one on the bus.” Smiling, she takes my seat, and I thinkit really is worth it to be a good citizen. Practicing good citizenship is important because it demonstrates obedience for laws, respect,and cooperation with one’s community. Voice: Link to Prompt Sentence Fluency: Conventions: Thesis Statement Word Choice:

14. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Re-state Thesis in 2 sentences Link back to hook By practicing good citizenship, I demonstrate obedience for laws. Also, I show respect and cooperation within my community. Luckily, being a good citizen has some awesome perks. Today, I met a great girl and had an awesome conversation on the school bus. Imagine meeting a cool girl just for being a gentleman. What a terrific way to end the day! Lock it up!

15. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Hook “Today’s weather forecast is predicted to be sunny with only a slight chance of rain,” announced the meteorologist. I jerked awake with my hair matted on my face and took several steady deep breaths. Facing the window, I felt sunlight streaming in through the curtains and blinding my eyes for a few seconds. I shielded my face with my hands and prepared to roll out of bed. As my mom entered my room to make sure I was awake and getting ready for school, I thought about how lucky I am to live in a such a sunny state. My state is the greatest place to live because there is warm weather all year, the ocean is in close proximity to most places, and there is a plethora of outdoor activities to take part in year-round. Link to Prompt Thesis Statement

16. Creative Hook Grabber & Clincher “A good essay tells us the truth about its subject; but a bad essay tells us thetruth about its author.” Re-state Thesis in 2 sentences My state is a fantastic place to live because of the warm weather. Also, the ocean is close by and outdoor activities are prevalent everywhere. My mom insisted I put sun block on even though I was only walking to and from the school building. I listened to my mom and applied lotion before heading out. All the while, I considered whether I should go swimming or play some ball after school since I live in the greatest place on earth. Link back to hook Lock it up!