In this video, the teacher provides guidance on how to begin a response to a writing prompt. They emphasize the importance of hooking the reader and clearly stating the thesis statement. The teacher also highlights the need to consider the reader's perspective, in this case, the principal, and address their concerns in the hook. They demonstrate the process by crafting an opening paragraph for a letter, incorporating the thesis statement and three supporting reasons. Overall, the video offers valuable tips for effectively starting a written response.