Q: This hook works well in both personal writing and academic essays as long as you choose an appropriate quote. For instance, avoid using inspirational quotes in an academic paper, but one may be appropriate for something more personal, such as a blog post. Make sure the quote is related to your argument. It should lead into what you're saying in your introduction. A bold statement expresses an opinion in a provocative way. Choose a statement that is original or controversial in some way, as opposed to noting a common fact. Be sure you can support your statement with facts and evidence! For example, if you're writing an argumentative essay that is intended to convince school administrator to do away with homework, you could say, "Homework does not contribute to a student's academic success." A short anecdote is a fun way to draw your readers in. However, it must be relevant to your topic, or you'll end up confusing readers. It also shouldn't be more than a paragraph long, particularly if you are writing a short essay or text. An anecdote can be fictional or real, but you typically phrase it like you would if you're telling a story to a friend, though you still want to keep it professional. For example, you might write, "Once, long ago, a single branch of animals broke off from a group of predators in the chain of evolution. These animals had sharp teeth, were fierce predators, and soon developed a hypercarnivorous nature. Eventually, this chain led to the purring animal you have sitting in your lap: the domesticated house cat." An example is similar to a story, except it usually comes from real life. Try writing it in a more straightforward style than a story. For instance, if you're writing about cat traits, you could share a short example about a trait you witnessed in one of your cats. Choose a statement that's broad in the sense that you are leading to a more specific main idea. However, it shouldn't be so broad that you confuse the reader. For instance, if you're writing about domesticated cat traits, don't start with the evolution of the universe, as that's a bit broad. You could, however, start with a few sentences about how evolution led to the current traits of cats. You might write, "The domesticated cat, in all its predatory aloofness, has taken thousands of years to evolve into your perfect lap cat." Choose a thought-provoking question that will grab the reader's interest and get them thinking about the topic. Avoid restating a question that the topic asks and don't use a cliche. For instance, if you're writing about water quality in your community, you could begin with a question like, "Did you know that drinking water is legally allowed to contain lead?" This technique has been used so much that it's become trite. Therefore, unless you really need that definition to introduce your topic, it's best to skip it.
A: Begin with a quote to give weight to your argument. Select a bold statement for a dynamic introduction. Choose a simple story to illustrate where your writing will go. Write an example for a concrete way to introduce your topic. Opt for a broad statement for a straightforward approach. Ask a question to get the reader thinking. Avoid starting with a definition unless it is truly relevant.

Q: Even if you go camping in a warm climate, the city streets can still become uncomfortably cold at night. Pack jeans, long johns, long-sleeved shirts, and a sweater to give yourself plenty of clothing options. You may also want to pack a warm hat or beanie and wool socks to keep your head and feet warm. Even if you're sleeping in a car or van, you'll probably want to have a sleeping bag you can slide into when you go to sleep. Go with as small a tent as you can comfortably sleep in to minimize the amount of attention you'll draw to yourself. Be sure to pack blankets and possibly a pillow as well so that you can be comfortable when you go to bed. If you're worried about being exposed when you're sleeping, your best bet will be to sleep in your car or invest in a tent with a lockable flap. Look ahead to see if it will rain or snow on the days that you plan to be camping in the city. Be sure to pack an umbrella, a raincoat, a winter jacket, or whatever you'd need to handle the weather during your camping adventure. If you're camping in your car, you may want to keep an umbrella in the glove compartment all the time just in case. You probably won't have access to an oven or any other means of cooking, so only pack stuff that you can eat raw. Packaged foods, trail mixes, peanut butter, and crackers are all great choices for any camping trip. Avoid packing junk food as best you can. It may be easiest to bring on a camping trip, but it won't give you much energy or nourishment. Bring water bottles as well to help you stay hydrated. These are things like dry shampoo and disposable toothbrushes that don't require water. You may not have reliable access to a bathroom to wash up in, so packing dry toiletries is your best bet for maintaining your hygiene on your camping trip. If you have a membership in a gym that extends to the area you are going to and has some along the way, you can use their showers. Urban camping can be a tad dangerous at times, so it's wise to have some money and supplies on hand if something unexpected happens. Be sure to keep your money somewhere out of sight to avoid making yourself a target for burglars. If you have one, pack an extra phone battery as well, in case your primary battery dies and you can't recharge it.
A: Bring warm clothes you can dress in layers with while you're sleeping. Pack a tent and sleeping bag if you don't plan to sleep in your car. Check the weather forecast in the city and pack accordingly. Bring dry foods you can eat without having to cook them. Be sure to pack toiletries you can use without water. Include cash and a first aid kit for emergencies in your packing.

Q: " Take advantage of barriers to enter into the market, using them to dissuade competitors from challenging your market share. In some cases, an established company's ability to manipulate hurdles to enter and compete in its market becomes an effective tool against new competition, further entrenching the business and preserving its profit potential for the foreseeable future. For example, you may own an Asian-themed restaurant located in a mall. This would provide an economic moat, since it is unlikely the mall would want to open multiple Asian-themed restaurants in the same area. This prevents new business from competing with you. To create the moat, you may be able to negotiate a site monopoly on your type of business if you are located on a multi-business site like a mall or strip shopping center. Once you've gained a competitive advantage, your work is far from complete. To be successful, you will need to continuously maintain your competitive advantage, through pricing, product features, and marketing. For example, if you are in the technology space, you need to be continually designing new products that are faster, less expensive and have more functionality. After all, your competitors are not going to sit back and allow you to steal their market share. Sometimes you may need to take chances to keep ahead of the pack and differentiate your business, but with big risk often comes big reward. Just remember to do your research before diving head-first into new ideas. A good way to do this is to join a local professional association that offers speakers with expertise in your field and an annual conference. You will be able to get new ideas and see what others in your industry are doing. Look for updates on their websites, get on their mailing lists, and watch for new product announcements as well as changes in pricing. Ask for your customers' opinions frequently with online surveys and customer advisory boards. Your sales force should be updating you with feedback they hear from current and potential customers while on sales calls.
A:
Create an "economic moat. Stay on the cutting edge. Predict future trends in your industry. Research and monitor your competitors constantly. Adapt to your customers' wants and needs.