Think about the last book you just had to finish—the one that kept you reading way past your bedtime.
What made you turn the first page? And then the next? And the next?
It wasn’t just elegant writing or cool characters. It was something more fundamental: a Beginning Hook that pulled you in and wouldn’t let go.
A great Beginning Hook does more than open your story. It makes a promise. It tells your reader, “This will be worth your time.” And that promise? It has to be both compelling and honest.
Let’s break down what makes a strong Beginning Hook—and look at Beginning Hook examples that show exactly how it’s done.
What Is a Beginning Hook?
The Beginning Hook is the first 25% of your story. It’s where you grab attention, set up the stakes, and launch your narrative.
But it’s not just about action or likable characters. A compelling Beginning Hook forms a complete narrative unit—a mini-story that creates momentum and raises important questions.
Your hook sets the tone, genre, and emotional journey to come. If it doesn’t land, most readers won’t stick around.
The Five Commandments of Storytelling (for a Killer Hook)
Every strong Beginning Hook follows a story structure that works. These are the Five Commandments of Storytelling, and together, they build an irresistible start:
1. The Inciting Incident
This is your story’s “ball of chaos”—an event that shakes up your protagonist’s world.
It might be:
• Causal (something the character chooses), or
• Coincidental (something that just happens to them)
Example: In The Wizard of Oz, the cyclone is a coincidental inciting incident. Dorothy didn’t cause it—but it changes everything.
Tip: A strong Inciting Incident should feel both surprising and inevitable in hindsight.
2. The Turning Point Progressive Complication
Things get more complicated. The protagonist’s initial reaction doesn’t work. Now they face a new, bigger challenge.
This moment pushes them to realize: they can’t go back.
3. The Crisis
Now comes the dilemma. The protagonist faces a choice:
• A best bad choice (two bad options)
• Or an irreconcilable goods choice (two good options, can’t have both)
What they choose shows who they really are.
4. The Climax
Here’s the action. The protagonist chooses and acts. The Climax should deliver on the story tension you’ve been building.
Like the Inciting Incident, this moment should also feel
surprising but inevitable.
5. The Resolution
You show the results of the Climax and point toward the rest of the story (your Middle Build).
A great Resolution answers some questions—and raises new ones.
Bottom line: If any of the Five Commandments are missing, your Beginning Hook will feel incomplete.
How to Make Your Beginning Hook Irresistible
Structure is important—but technique matters too. These three tactics will make your Beginning Hook stronger and more emotionally compelling.
1. Master the Polarity Shift
A polarity shift moves your story from one emotional value to another—like positive to negative.
Examples:
• A dream job turns out to be dangerous (positive → negative)
• A tragedy reveals an unexpected ally (negative → positive)
The best Beginning Hooks include at least one strong polarity shift. Predictability kills tension. Surprise keeps readers turning pages.
2. Create Personal Connection
Readers care more when the stakes hit close to home for your character.
Compare:
• “Sarah needs $5,000.”
• “Sarah has 48 hours to find $5,000 for her daughter’s surgery.”
Big difference, right?
How to raise personal stakes:
• Tie the outcome to relationships
• Threaten something the character values
• Add time pressure
• Challenge identity and beliefs
3. Layer External and Internal Stakes
Don’t just focus on what’s happening around your character—focus on what’s happening inside them.
Example:
• External: Win a national competition
• Internal: Prove they’re not a failure like their dad said
When both layers work together, your Beginning Hook feels emotionally rich and realistic.
Common Beginning Hook Pitfalls (and Fixes)
Even good writers fall into these traps. Here’s what to avoid—and how to fix it.
Pitfall 1: The Information Dump
You love your world. We get it. But opening with 3 paragraphs about the political history of your fantasy kingdom is a fast way to lose readers.
Fix: Weave in details as they become necessary. Focus on action and character.
Before:
“The kitchen was large and modern…”
After:
“Lisa’s fingers traced the granite counter—the one project she and Mike had finished before he left.”
One reveals backstory through character action. The other just lists facts.
Pitfall 2: Weak Stakes
If the reader doesn’t understand what’s at stake, they won’t care.
Fix: Make stakes concrete, personal, and time-sensitive.
Before:
“Daniel needs to finish his research paper.”
After:
“Daniel has until morning to finish the research that might save his daughter’s life. But doing it right means breaking everything he believes as a scientist.”
Now that’s compelling.
Pitfall 3: Disconnected Beginning
A flashy opening scene is great. But if it doesn’t connect to the larger story, it feels like a trick.
Fix: Make sure your Beginning Hook:
• Introduces your core conflict
• Connects to your themes
• Sets up a story that delivers on its promise
Ask: Could I remove this opening and the story still work? If the answer is yes, rethink your Beginning Hook.
Beginning Hook Examples That Nail It
Let’s look at three Beginning Hook examples that do it right.
The Wizard of Oz
• Inciting Incident: Cyclone carries Dorothy to Oz
• Crisis: Stay in a magical world or try to return home?
• Polarity Shift: From gray Kansas to colorful Oz
• Personal Stakes: Dorothy wants to return to family
• Internal/External: Facing danger + growing courage
The Silence of the Lambs
• Inciting Incident: Clarice interviews Hannibal Lecter
• Stakes: Solve a serial killer case or fail the mission
• Crisis: Play Lecter’s game or lose the lead
• Personal Stakes: Clarice’s past connects to her case
Pulp Fiction
• Opening Scene: A couple casually plans a robbery
• Genre: Sets tone and style of film
• Polarity Shift: Conversation turns dangerous fast
• Narrative Symmetry: Opening mirrors ending
Each of these Beginning Hook examples works because it establishes conflict, stakes, tone, and emotional connection—all while raising questions that pull the audience forward.
The Beginning Hook Checklist
Use this checklist to test your own opening:
• Clear Inciting Incident that disrupts the status quo
• Includes all Five Commandments
• Stakes are clear, personal, and time-bound
• Features at least one Polarity Shift
• Connects to the global story and theme
• Avoids common pitfalls: no info dumps, vague goals, or disconnected scenes
Final Thoughts
Your Beginning Hook is the gateway to your entire story. Nail it, and readers will follow you anywhere.
Use proven story structure. Raise personal stakes. Keep the momentum alive.
And when in doubt? Study great Beginning Hook examples. They’ll show you what works—and help you craft a story readers can’t walk away from.