Scriptwriting That Hooks Viewers

The Hook or Die Reality

On YouTube, 20% of viewers leave within the first 5 seconds. On TikTok and Reels, it’s even faster. Your script’s opening isn’t just important—it’s survival.

Yet most creators start their videos like this: “Hey guys, welcome back to my channel. Today I’m going to be talking about…”

By “talking about,” half the audience is gone.

Great video scripts grab attention immediately, promise something specific, deliver on that promise, and leave viewers wanting more.

The 5-Second Hook Framework

Your hook must accomplish one thing: stop the scroll. Here are five hook types that work:

1. The Bold Claim

“This one technique doubled my video views in a week.”

2. The Question

“Want to know why 90% of product videos get zero views?”

3. The Visual Surprise

Start with an unexpected image or action before saying a word.

4. The Conflict

“Everything you’ve been told about video lighting is wrong.”

5. The Result First

Show the end result—the finished project, the transformation, the outcome—then backtrack.

Use AI to generate hooks:

My video topic: [topic]
My audience: [who]
Video length: [duration]

Generate 10 hooks (first 5 seconds) using these approaches:
- 2 bold claims
- 2 curiosity questions
- 2 conflict/controversy hooks
- 2 result-first hooks
- 2 story-opening hooks

Make each punchy, specific, and under 15 words.

The Script Structure

After the hook, you need structure. Here’s the framework that keeps viewers watching:

Act 1: Hook + Promise (0-30 seconds)

• Hook: Stop the scroll (5 seconds)
• Credibility: Why should they listen to you? (10 seconds)
• Promise: What they’ll get by staying (15 seconds)

Act 2: Deliver Value (30 seconds to near end)

• Content blocks: Break information into 2-3 minute segments
• Pattern interrupts: Change something every 30-60 seconds (visual, tone, topic shift)
• Signposts: Tell viewers where they are (“The third technique is…”)

Act 3: Payoff + CTA (final 30 seconds)

• Recap: Quick summary of key points
• Payoff: The promised result or insight
• Call to action: One specific next step

Writing for Speech, Not Reading

Video scripts must sound natural when spoken aloud. This means:

Short sentences. They breathe better on camera.

Contractions. “You’ll” not “You will.” “Don’t” not “Do not.”

Questions. They keep the audience mentally engaged.

Conversational transitions. “Here’s the thing,” “Now watch this,” “But here’s where it gets interesting.”

AI prompt for conversational scripts:

Rewrite this script to sound natural when spoken aloud:

[Paste script]

Rules:
- Use contractions
- Break long sentences into short ones
- Add conversational transitions
- Include 2-3 questions to the viewer
- Mark pauses with [PAUSE]
- Mark emphasis with [EMPHASIS]

Quick Check

Which of these openings would keep more viewers watching?

A) “Hi everyone, today I want to share some tips about smartphone photography that I’ve been learning about recently.”

B) “Your smartphone takes better photos than most cameras from 10 years ago. The problem isn’t your phone—it’s how you’re using it. Let me show you three settings that change everything.”

Pattern Interrupts: Keeping Attention

Attention spans aren’t short—they’re selective. Viewers will watch a 2-hour movie but bail on a 3-minute video. The difference is engagement variety.

Pattern interrupts every 30-60 seconds:

Script these into your writing:

[CUT TO SCREEN SHARE]
Now let me show you exactly what this looks like in practice.
[B-ROLL: hands on keyboard]
See how the first version...

Timing Your Script

A rough guide for script-to-video timing:

For a 10-minute video at normal pace: ~1,500 words.

Use AI to check timing:

This script is [X] words. At a moderate speaking pace (150 wpm),
how long will it take to deliver? Factor in:
- 2-second pauses between sections
- B-roll segments (10 seconds each, 4 planned)
- Transitions (3 seconds each)

Exercise: Write a 3-Minute Script

Choose a topic you know well. Using the framework:

1. Write 3 hooks using different approaches. Pick the strongest.
2. Draft Act 1 (hook + credibility + promise) — 60 seconds
3. Draft Act 2 with 2 content blocks and pattern interrupts — 90 seconds
4. Draft Act 3 with recap, payoff, and CTA — 30 seconds
5. Read it aloud. If anything sounds stiff, rewrite it.

Key Takeaways

• The first 5 seconds determine whether viewers stay or scroll—hooks are non-negotiable
• Use the Hook-Promise-Deliver-Payoff structure for every video
• Write for speech, not reading: short sentences, contractions, questions, conversational tone
• Pattern interrupts every 30-60 seconds maintain attention throughout
• AI generates strong script drafts, but your personality and real experience make them connect
• Always read scripts aloud before filming—your ear catches what your eye misses

Up next: In the next lesson, we’ll dive into Storyboarding and Visual Planning.