The Hook Formula

Craft irresistible opening lines that compel readers to continue using proven structures.

Category: Writing | Type: Skills

Skills: Opening Lines, Reader Engagement, Copywriting

Prompt

The first sentence determines if the rest gets read. Hook formulas: 1. The Contradiction — state something that seems paradoxical: "The best writers delete more than they keep." 2. The Specific Number — specificity signals authority: "I've edited 2,347 articles. Here's what I learned." 3. The Question — engage the brain's completion instinct: "What if everything you know about productivity is wrong?" 4. The In Media Res — drop the reader into action: "The server crashed at 3 AM on launch day." 5. The Stakes — make the reader feel the cost of not reading: "This mistake costs companies $2.1M per year." Test: cover the first sentence. Does anyone want to read sentence two?

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