“My whole thing is just being a part of good music.” Any fan of Pitbull, world-famous rapper and singer, would bob their head in hearty agreement to his often quoted sentiment.
How to Hook your Audience
Writing Practice
The very first line of your essay can either pique your reader’s curiosity or cause them to zone out. One way to hook your audience is to start off with a quote. Especially if it’s a quote by a well-known figure, you are effectively borrowing the credibility and voice of said person. At the same time, you are letting your reader know that you are considering what’s out there in the world before contributing your thoughts. Here are two tips for how to use quotes well.
Step 01: Select a suitable quote
Ensure that your quote is relevant to your main response to the question prompt. Example — Some people like to stand out from the crowd; others just want to be part of it. Which do you prefer and why?
Being a part of the crowd
Balanced
“I don’t make music for eyes, I make music for ears”, singer Adele once retorted in an interview with Rolling Stone.
Standing out of the crowd
“If you’re lucky enough to be different, don’t ever change.” This simple encouragement from singer and songwriter, Taylor Swift, has brought comfort and courage to her many fans, including me.
Step 02: Link your quote to your main argument
Once you’ve chosen a relevant quote, you need to clearly show how your quote contributes to your main argument. Example — Some people like to stand out from the crowd; others just want to be part of it. Which do you prefer and why?
Being a part of the crowd
“My whole thing is just being a part of good music.” Any fan of Pitbull, world-famous rapper and singer, would bob their head in hearty agreement to his often quoted sentiment.
Pitbull has made big contributions both to the music scene and to the underprivileged in his own community. I share his belief that we find our greatest purpose when we are willing to simply be a part of dreams and movements that are larger than ourselves.
Balanced
“I don’t make music for eyes, I make music for ears”, singer Adele once retorted in an interview with Rolling Stone.
Her words taught me that while it is good to get people’s attention, it is crucial to stay focussed on our main goals. As a competitive swimmer, I strive to stand out as one of the best in the sport. Due to all the attention I receive, I often spend a lot of time keeping up with my appearances. Adele’s words are a constant reminder to not get sidetracked and spend too much energy on things that are of secondary importance.
Standing out of the crowd
“If you’re lucky enough to be different, don’t ever change.” This simple encouragement from singer and songwriter, Taylor Swift, has brought comfort and courage to her many fans, including me.
After my first few awkward preteen and teenage years of desperately trying to hide the parts of me that do not seem to fit in with my peers, I have learnt to not only embrace but celebrate my quirks. What makes me different also helps me contribute differently, in ways that other people cannot.
