The ACT writing section consists of a timed comparative/argumentative essay. In preparation for the test, students should keep the following information in mind:
Below, you will find information on suggested time management, sample prompts, and a partial student sample essay.
- The writing test is timed at 40 minutes.
- The format is focused on “contemporary issues” rather than on specifically school-related topics.
- Students are given brief perspectives on an issue, and they are required to evaluate those perspectives within a framework that includes their own point of view on the issue.
- Instead of a holistic approach, the ACT scorers give separate ratings in four domains: Ideas and Analysis, Organization, Development and Support, and Language and Conventions. The essay score will be part of a new ELA score, which is the average of the ACT English, writing, and reading subscores.
Below, you will find information on suggested time management, sample prompts, and a partial student sample essay.
TIME MANAGEMENT:
Step 1: Break Down the Prompt (5 Minutes)
As you read the prompt and three opinions, two questions should be at the front of your mind:
Step 2: Develop Your Opinion (5 Minutes)
Now it’s time to come up with an opinion of your own. Take a moment to reread your summary of the prompt. Decide what you believe (or what’s easiest for you to argue). When you’ve come up with your opinion, write it on the prompt. Using arrows, point to the parts of the prompt that support your idea. The arrows will help you find this information (and save time) as you write your essay.
Step 3: Make Connections (5 Minutes)
You have your opinion and supporting information from the prompt. Now make connections between your ideas and those in the three opinions. You may want to draw some more arrows. Notice which opinions, ideas, or beliefs are very similar to or dramatically different from your own opinion. These are the ideas you’ll want to use to support your thesis or respectfully refute in your essay.
Step 4: Put it all Together (20 Minutes)
The exam doesn’t have a set essay format for your writing. That means you get some freedom in the way you organize and argue; but be careful, freedom can get you into trouble. It’s easy to get lost in what you're writing and end up with a disorganized mess. As you write, make sure you have a clear thesis/claim in your opening paragraph, that your body paragraph(s) clearly support that claim with evidence and connections to the offered perspectives, and that you offer a conclusion that draws it all together. You will be better served if you stick to academic and active voice, too.
Step 5: Proofread—Don’t Edit! (5 Minutes)
Since “Language Use” is its own separate grading category (and about 25% of your score), it's worth your time to catch any errors you may have made while writing quickly. However, don’t be tempted to use this time to rewrite your essay. Accept the thesis and examples you chose, and focus on correcting spelling, grammar, and making your word choices more precise.
As you read the prompt and three opinions, two questions should be at the front of your mind:
- What is the prompt’s main idea?
- How can I summarize each of the three opinions?
Step 2: Develop Your Opinion (5 Minutes)
Now it’s time to come up with an opinion of your own. Take a moment to reread your summary of the prompt. Decide what you believe (or what’s easiest for you to argue). When you’ve come up with your opinion, write it on the prompt. Using arrows, point to the parts of the prompt that support your idea. The arrows will help you find this information (and save time) as you write your essay.
Step 3: Make Connections (5 Minutes)
You have your opinion and supporting information from the prompt. Now make connections between your ideas and those in the three opinions. You may want to draw some more arrows. Notice which opinions, ideas, or beliefs are very similar to or dramatically different from your own opinion. These are the ideas you’ll want to use to support your thesis or respectfully refute in your essay.
Step 4: Put it all Together (20 Minutes)
The exam doesn’t have a set essay format for your writing. That means you get some freedom in the way you organize and argue; but be careful, freedom can get you into trouble. It’s easy to get lost in what you're writing and end up with a disorganized mess. As you write, make sure you have a clear thesis/claim in your opening paragraph, that your body paragraph(s) clearly support that claim with evidence and connections to the offered perspectives, and that you offer a conclusion that draws it all together. You will be better served if you stick to academic and active voice, too.
Step 5: Proofread—Don’t Edit! (5 Minutes)
Since “Language Use” is its own separate grading category (and about 25% of your score), it's worth your time to catch any errors you may have made while writing quickly. However, don’t be tempted to use this time to rewrite your essay. Accept the thesis and examples you chose, and focus on correcting spelling, grammar, and making your word choices more precise.
SAMPLE PROMPTS:
PROMPT 1:
PROMPT 2:
PARTIAL SAMPLE ESSAYS:
EXAMPLE 1 (Prompt 1):
EXAMPLE 2 (Prompt 1):