The Pobble blog

Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part. For many students, a blank page can feel intimidating, even overwhelming. That’s why the right hook at the start of a writing lesson matters so much. It’s not just about grabbing attention; it’s about helping students feel inspired, curious, and ready to write.

Why writing hooks matter
A strong hook can transform a lesson. It gives students something concrete to respond to, lights up their imaginations, and sets a clear purpose for writing. Research into writing engagement shows that when students are emotionally or intellectually invested in the starting point, they are more likely to write with detail, stamina, and voice. The right hook helps level the playing field too, offering a shared stimulus for every learner, whatever their ability or background.

What makes a good hook?
A writing hook is anything that sparks curiosity or emotion. It might be a mysterious image, a short animation, a dramatic piece of music, an artefact, or a real-life news story. The best hooks are open-ended, leaving room for interpretation and imagination.

Great writing hooks share a few common traits:

• They provoke questions. Who is that? Why is this happening? What might happen next?

• They evoke emotion. Laughter, shock, awe, empathy.

• They leave space for creativity. The best hooks don’t spell everything out. They invite students to fill in the gaps.

Ideas to try in your classroom
Teachers across the world use a wide range of writing hooks to get students excited:

• Props and objects: An old suitcase, a single shoe, a dusty envelope with a secret letter inside.

• Trips and visits: Use a recent school trip as a springboard for recounts, persuasive pieces or diary entries.

• Mystery boxes: Place something intriguing in a box and have students ask questions or imagine what it could be.

• Drama and role play: Start with a freeze frame or a quick hot-seating session to bring a character to life.

• Whole-school writing events: Stage an alien landing, a stolen trophy, or a mystery visitor. These shared experiences boost engagement and give every child a story to tell.

Hooks like these can have a huge impact, but they also take time and planning to pull off regularly.

Pobble makes it easier
That’s where Pobble 365 helps. Every single day, Pobble shares a new, high-quality writing prompt designed to intrigue, surprise, and inspire. Each prompt pairs a thought-provoking image with sentence starters, vocabulary, and grammar activities to support students at all levels. And best of all, no prep is needed.

Every prompt on the Pobble 365 calendar includes questions to get students talking and activities to help them build strong, creative writing. Teachers tell us it’s a huge time-saver and a simple way to add variety to their teaching, while building confidence and stamina over time.

Try these teacher tips when using Pobble prompts

• Give students time to explore the image. Let them notice the details and share what they see.

• Encourage talk first. Use the built-in questions to spark conversation and fuel ideas.

• Ask the right question. Help students go beyond “What can you see?” and start asking deeper, more creative questions about the hook. Read our tips for better questioning.

• Act it out. Could a student become a character? What if the class made sound effects or music to set the scene?

• Wonder aloud. Model curiosity. Show students it’s okay not to have all the answers.

Pobble makes getting started easy
An exciting writing prompt. Every day. Completely free.

Create a free Pobble account to use one new writing prompt every day. Each prompt pairs a striking image with practical activities that build vocabulary, sentence control, punctuation, confidence, and stamina. Pobble fits the way you teach and complements any scheme, keeping planning light while students’ writing improves over time.

Want more? Upgrade your account to unlock the full calendar, save your favourite lessons, and access differentiated versions for all learners.