Three ways to hook audiences to read your story/essay

From: http://www.writersdigest.com/tip-of-the-day/openings-that-will-grab-your-reader
The examples I'm using are a bit different because I wasn't in a copying/pasting mood. Just kidding, I didn't want to plagiarize (even though the source is right up there.) And plus I wanted to be creative. 


Anecdotes (A story of some sorts)
It was a quiet night in the fresh country air. The crickets were chirping softly to the yellow corn moon. While the moon itself was hidden by line of clouds that can almost be counted for as mist. While the stars were shining softly slowly making it's way towards the horizon to wake up the sun. The dark silhouettes of the night roamed freely pausing for a second to hear a scream. 


Or if you're writing an essay on why cell phones shouldn't be allowed in school or something of the same sorts. 


The whole class was quiet. Their hands circling in the answers of their test. Her thoughts worrying about the essay question that's coming at the end. Her mind circling around a random bunch of examples that she might use. Till crack.
Music is up in the air.
Her thoughts crack again. As the sound of someone quickly turns their phone off breaks the rest of her concentration. 


Quoting someone
I haven't read the book so the second part of this example would be just guessing. And the quote was taken from Goodreads quote of the day.

“Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have her nonsense respected.”

— Charles Lamb

Or

As Charles Lamb stated in his book, The Life, Letters and Writings of Charles Lamb. “Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have her nonsense respected.” And that was stated in something for something. It had his teacher at his wits. 

Statistics 

The percent is just a guess, I don't really know how many teachers would actually believe that. 

Seventy percent of teachers says that technology is taking over our lives. And that means taking our brains along with it. 

These are the three most common ways to hook your readers. And probably the easiest way in my opinion. Especially for writing essays. It makes you curious and want to go continuing on. You all should try it some time and see how it might make a difference in your story/essay.