As writers, we understand the importance of the three-act structure and how it enables us to identify the crucial plot points that form a complete narrative. But what are those essential beats, and how do they align with your main protagonist’s character arc?
Over the next few months, I’ll delve into the different story beats of the three-act structure and offer tips for each. I’ll also provide some story examples to help illustrate the key principles that will help you craft your best story.
This month, we’ll start by discussing how to write an intriguing hook and how to use it to get your readers invested in your story.
Four Ways To Write An Intriguing Hook:
What Is A Hook?
The hook is a technique used to capture or “hook” your reader’s attention. While it can and should be utilized throughout the bulk of your narrative, the hook usually serves as the initial stage in the three-act structure, driving the opening of your story.
To write an intriguing hook will take time and effort, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by identifying the key qualities that make your story and characters unique. Once you’ve settled on those, create an opening that reels your audience in and makes them want more.
Create Intrigue
Use the element of mystery from the beginning to create a sense of intrigue about your world, characters, and plot. Lure your audience in and entice them with the unique and fascinating elements that will make them want to know more.
Let’s take a look at the opening for The Dark Knight. While the action centers around a gang of clowns carrying out an elaborate bank robbery, the dialogue is designed to build up the mysterious persona of the Joker. Every guy has their own view of who he is. They trade stories about why he paints his face and speculate on whether or not he’s as smart as they’ve been led to believe. But as each of them eliminates the other, it becomes increasingly clear that there’s more to the Joker than meets the eye.
The gradual build-up in the scene piques our curiosity, and the final reveal that the Joker was part of the gang all along pays off gloriously. We instantly see how formidable a foe he is and that he’s a master of manipulation. This makes us want to see more of him and to know what makes him tick.
By crafting the most intriguing opening for your story, you guarantee that your audience will be hooked and feel compelled to learn more about your characters and your world.
Start In Medias Res
Dropping your audience in the middle of the action is a classic way to hook them from the opening scene. This starts your story with a bang while raising key questions that will compel them to keep reading to discover what happens next.
A great example of how to use in medias res is in the opening for Mission Impossible III. The film immediately hurls us into an intense situation where the main protagonist, Ethan Hunt, is being questioned and tortured. The unknown villain’s demands for something called the “Rabbit’s Foot” give us no context of where we are or what led us to this moment. All we know is that the life of someone precious to Ethan hangs in the balance, and we desperately want to know whether or not they’re going to come out of this situation alive.
Starting in medias res can be a great way to start things off with a bang. Jarring action with little exposition is a winning formula that will force your audience to want to know more from page one.
Form A Connection
In addition to action, be sure to hook your readers emotionally so that they develop an emotional connection with your characters. Creating relatable qualities in your characters will help them become more invested in the story.
For this one, let’s look at the opening to Iron Man. The scene cleverly introduces the main protagonist, Tony Stark, as a playboy outside of his element. The soldiers transporting him are so in awe that they can’t even bring themselves to talk to him until he begins to break the silence with some witty and playful humor. Throughout their exchange, we gain insight into Tony’s personality. He’s wealthy, arrogant, and never at a loss for words. In short, he’s a guy who’s in love with himself. It’s a quality that should make him repulsive, but, like the soldiers in the scene, we can’t help but feel caught up by his larger-than-life celebrity persona.
The humor and dialogue in this opening scene allow us to form an immediate emotional connection with Tony Stark. Our ability to relate to him causes us to transition to concern and empathy the moment everything goes to hell. This technique will ensure that your audience sticks around to see what happens.
Evoke Questions
Whatever technique you use to hook your audience, they should all force them to ask questions. A great hook uses intrigue, action, and emotion to keep your readers guessing about your characters, motivations, and backstories.
For this example, let’s turn to The Matrix. From the opening titles, we have questions. What is that strange code that is streaming down like rain on glass? Who’s behind the running search, and who are the two characters on the call? Why are those cops after that girl in black leather? Who are those guys in the dark shades? What do they want? How can certain characters achieve such physical feats that seemingly break the laws of physics?
The brilliance of this sequence is that it doesn’t waste time with explanations. It strategically leaves you with your questions. In fact, the entire first act is a series of events that only raise more and more questions until you’re so hooked that you can’t wait to know the answers.
Summing it up
Be intentional about opening your story by using every tool in your arsenal to write an intriguing hook. Look for ways to spark intrigue, consider starting in medias res, and create a strong emotional connection with your characters. Above all, use mystery to evoke questions your audience desperately needs answered.
I hope these tips help you craft your hook. Join me again next month, when I’ll explore the inciting incident, the next beat in the three-act story structure. Until then, keep striving toward your goals. And above all, keep writing!
Until next time,
