Third Grade · Writing · week 11

Introduction: A Hook Plus Your Opinion

Write an introduction paragraph that opens with a hook sentence and clearly states an opinion.

A strong introduction does two jobs: it HOOKS the reader with an interesting opening, and it clearly states your OPINION.

A hook can be a question ("Have you ever wished recess lasted longer?"), a surprising fact, or a vivid scene. Its only job is to make the reader want to keep reading.

Right after the hook, state your opinion in a clear sentence. Do not make the reader guess what you think -- say it plainly.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Read a few hooks out loud together (a question, a fact, a scene) and ask which one makes your child want to keep reading the most.
  • Push gently for a clear, specific opinion sentence -- "some people like it" is not the same as stating what your child actually thinks.
  • Remind your child the hook and the opinion need to connect to the SAME topic, not just be interesting on their own.
  • Let your child try two or three different hooks before picking a favorite; hooks are worth revising.
Talk about it:
  • What is the job of a hook sentence?
  • What are three types of hooks a writer could use?
  • Why does an opinion sentence need to be clear and specific instead of vague?

Mastery looks like: They write an introduction with an engaging hook connected to the topic, followed by a clear, specific opinion sentence.

Common stumbles: Writing a hook unrelated to the actual topic; stating an opinion so vaguely that a reader cannot tell what position is being argued.

See it visually

Interactive, spoken-aloud tools that show this idea in motion.

Sentence BuilderDrag word tiles into a real sentence, with a capital and end mark.try →Paragraph BuilderStack a paragraph: topic sentence, details, closing.try →
Homework for this lessonType it, write it with a stylus, or print it for pencil & paper.open →
Records attendance + 15 min of Writing for this learner.
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