Persuasive Essay Writing

Persuasive Essay Writing

Let's Create a Persuasive Essay Together!

Essay Topic Question:

Should students have a longer summer break?

Creating a Hook

A hook is the very first sentence or two in your writing that grabs the reader’s attention — kind of like the hook on a fishing rod! 

Just like a hook catches a fish, a writing hook catches your reader’s interest so they want to keep reading. It's especially important in persuasive writing because you want your audience to listen to your opinion right from the start.

Hook Type 1: Ask a Question

What it does: Gets the reader to think about their own experience.

Example:

“Have you ever felt like summer break ends just when you're starting to relax?”

✔️ Why it works: It connects with most students’ feelings and pulls the reader into the topic with curiosity.

Hook Type 2: Use Surprise

What it does: Makes your reader stop and think with a new or unexpected piece of information (fact or statistic). 

Example:

“Studies show that students return to school more refreshed and ready to learn after longer breaks.”

✔️ Why it works: It makes your opinion sound smart and backed by research — great for Logos (logic-based) writing.

Hook Type 3: Short Story or Scenario

What it does: Helps the reader imagine a situation that makes them feel something.

Example:

“Picture this: You finally start enjoying your summer, and then — boom! — you're back in school before you even had a real break.”

✔️ Why it works: It uses Pathos by making the reader feel a sense of disappointment and rush.

Hook Type 4: Make a Bold Statement

What it does: Gets the reader’s attention with a strong opinion.

Example:

“Summer break is way too short, and students deserve more time to relax and grow outside of school.”

✔️ Why it works: It tells the reader exactly what the writer thinks and sets the tone for a strong persuasive piece.

Let’s Build

A Hook Together!

What’s your opinion?

I think summer holidays should be longer.

How do you want the reader to feel or think?

I want them to feel that summer goes by too fast and kids don’t get enough time to rest.

Pick your hook type:

☐ Question ☐ Fact ☐ Story ☑️ Bold Statement

Write your hook sentence:

Summer is too short, and students need more time to rest, travel, and just be kids.

What’s your opinion?

I think summer holidays should be longer.

How do you want the reader to feel or think?

I want them to feel that summer goes by too fast and kids don’t get enough time to rest.

Pick your hook type:

☐ Question ☐ Fact ☐ Story ☑️ Bold Statement

Write your hook sentence:

Summer is too short, and students need more time to rest, travel, and just be kids.

Sentence Starters by Technique

If You Chose Pathos (Emotions):

“Imagine…”

“Many kids feel…”

“It’s not fair that…”

“Students deserve a chance to…”

If You Chose Ethos (Trust/Voice):

“As a student who…”

“Teachers and parents agree that…”

“From my own experience…”

“Most students I’ve talked to…”

If You Chose Logos (Facts/Logic):

“Studies show…”

“It makes sense because…”

“On average…”

“Data from schools shows that…”

Create Your Own Hook:
Should students have a longer summer break?

Adding Details:

Imagine waking up to the warm summer sun (HOOK), knowing you have a whole day of freedom ahead—no homework, no alarms, just fun and time to breathe. For students who work hard all year, those extra weeks of summer could be the break they truly need.