attentiongetter

Attentiongetter, also known as attention-getter or hook, is a device used to capture an audience's attention at the opening of a speech, essay, advertisement, or other presentation. Its purpose is to engage listeners or readers, establish relevance, and set the tone for the main message. A well-chosen attentiongetter leads naturally into the thesis or central idea and helps sustain engagement.

Common forms include rhetorical questions, surprising statistics, brief anecdotes, provocative statements, notable quotes, humor, vivid imagery, or a dramatic fact. In journalism and writing, the opener is often called a lede or lead and serves the same function as a hook.

Different contexts call for different approaches. In public speaking, attentiongetters should be brief, credible, and directly tied to the topic. In advertising and digital media, they aim to stop the viewer and encourage further exploration, such as a compelling headline, visual cue, or sound bite.

Ethical considerations include accuracy, relevance, and respect for the audience. Avoid misleading or sensational claims, and ensure the opener smoothly transitions to the core message. Tailor the technique to audience expectations, purpose, and cultural context.

Examples include starting with a question about the audience’s experience, presenting a surprising statistic, telling a short, relevant anecdote, quoting an authority, or describing a vivid scene that evokes the topic.