Lesekroker

Lesekroker are opening devices used to capture a reader's attention and invite further engagement with a text. In Norwegian pedagogy and media literacy, the term refers to techniques that spark curiosity at the start of a passage, article, or chapter. The goal is to motivate readers to continue and to connect the content to their interests or needs.

Common forms of lesekroker include a surprising statistic, a provocative question, a vivid scene or anecdote, a direct address to the reader, a paradox, or a brief outline of why the material matters. They can appear in headlines, introductions, lead sentences, or opening paragraphs, and are used across educational texts, journalism, and digital content.

In education, teachers teach students to recognize and craft effective lesekroker as part of writing and reading-comprehension instruction. Well-designed hooks align with the text's purpose and offer a clear pathway to the main ideas. Critically, hooks should be accurate and relevant; sensationalism or misleading premises can erode trust and hinder understanding. Digital media often deploys hooks at the level of headlines, thumbnails, or opening questions to maintain attention and reduce drop-off.

The concept is widely used in both educational settings and professional writing to improve reading motivation and comprehension. See also: lead, hook (writing), attention economy.