Writing Tips
ACT
English | Math | Reading | Science | Writing
The Writing Test is a 30-minute essay test that measures your writing skills—specifically those writing
skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.
The test consists of one writing prompt that will define an issue and describe two points of view on that
issue. You are asked to respond to a question about your position on the issue described in the writing
prompt. In doing so, you may adopt one or the other of the perspectives described in the prompt, or you
may present a different point of view on the issue. Your score will not be affected by the point of view you
take on the issue.
SAT essay
The essay is always the first question on the SAT. Students are given 25 minutes to respond to the question
by writing an essay in longhand on the answer sheet, using a No. 2 pencil. The essay measures a student's
ability to:
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Develop a point of view on an issue presented in an excerpt
Support a point of view using reasoning and examples from their reading, studies, experience, or
observations
Follow the conventions of Standard Written English
Students are given a prompt or assignment, which is a short (no more than 80 words long) quotation or
statement on an issue that is carefully selected to:



Enable students to react and respond quickly in a variety of ways
Be easily accessible to the general test-taking population, including students for whom English is a
second language (ESL
Be free of figurative, technical, or specific literary references
Sample essay prompt
Here is a sample essay prompt:
Essay Prompt:
Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below.
Even scientists know that absolute objectivity has yet to be attained. It's the same for absolute truth. But, as
many newspaper reporters have observed, the idea of objectivity as a guiding principle is too valuable to be
abandoned. Without it, the pursuit of knowledge is hopelessly lost.
Adapted from "Focusing Our Values," Nieman Reports
Assignment: Are people better at making observations, discoveries, and decisions if they remain neutral
and impartial? Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies,
experience, or observations.
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/Essay%20Rubric.pdf
http://www.simpsonell.com/rubrics.cfm
http://www.edmondschools.net/AboutUs/Curriculum/CurriculumSpecialties/TheWritingCenter/MiddleSch
oolHome/MidSchWritingRubrics.aspx
Peer-editing helps students become efficient writers.
See More About
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writing process
assessment tools
language arts lessons
rubrics
What is a Essay Rubric?
An essay rubric is a way teachers assess students' essay writing by using specific criteria to grade
assignments. Essay rubrics save teachers time because all of the criteria is listed and organized into one
convenient paper. If used effectively, rubrics can help improve students' writing.
How to Use an Essay Rubric
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The best way to use an essay rubric is to give the rubric to the students before they begin their
writing assignment. Review each criteria with the students and give them specific examples of
what you want so they will know what is expected of them.
Next, assign students to write the essay, reminding them of the criteria and your expectations for
the assignment.
Once students complete the essay have them first score their own essay using the rubric, and then
switch with a partner. (This peer-editing process is a quick and reliable way to see how well the
student did on their assignment. It's also good practice to learn criticism and become a more
efficient writer.)
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Once peer-editing is complete, have students hand in their essay's. Now it is your turn to evaluate
the assignment according to the criteria on the rubric. Make sure to offer students examples if they
did not meet the criteria listed.
Elementary Essay Writing Rubrics
Informal Essay Rubric
4
3
2
1
Expert
Accomplished
Capable
Beginner
Features

Piece was
written in an
extraordinary
style and
voice
very
informative
and well
organized

Quality of
Writing



Piece was
written in an
interesting
style and
voice
Somewhat
informative
and
organized

Piece
had little
style or
voice
Gives
some
new
informat
ion but
poorly
organize
d





Grammar,
Usage &
Mechanics
Virtually no
spelling,
punctuation
or
grammatica
l errors

Few
spelling and
punctuation
s errors,
minor
grammatica
l errors
A
number
of
spelling,
punctuat
ion or
grammat
ical
errors
Piece
had no
style or
voice
Gives no
new
informat
ion and
very
poorly
organize
d
So many
spelling,
punctuat
ion and
grammat
ical
errors
that it
interfere
s with
the
meaning
Formal Essay Rubric
Areas of
A
Assessment
 Presents
ideas in an
Ideas
original
manner

Organization

Understandi
ng

Word Choice
Sentence
Structure

C

Presents
ideas in an
consistent
manner

Organized
beg/mid/e
nd
Writing
shows
strong
understan
ding

Writing
shows
clear
understan
ding
Sophisticate
d use of
nouns and
verbs make
essay very
informative

Nouns and
verbs
make
essay
informativ
e
Sentence
structure
enhances
meaning;
flows
throughout
piece

Mechanics
Strong and
organized
beg/mid/e
nd
B
Few (if
any)
errors


Sentence
structure
is evident;
sentences
mostly
flow
Few errors
D

Ideas are
too
general

Some
organizati
on;
attempt
at a
beg/mid/
end

Ideas are
vague or
unclear

No
organizatio
n; lack
beg/mid/e
nd

Writing
shows
adequate
understa
nding

Writing
shows
little
understan
ding

Needs
more
nouns
and verbs

Little or no
use of
nouns and
verbs

Sentence
structure
is limited;
sentences
need to
flow

No sense of
sentence
structure
or flow

Numerous
errors

Several
errors