Name:
Teacher:
Class:
Date:
Essay
Since February 2005, the ACT exam has included a 30-minute Writing Test to complement its multiplechoice English Test. Although some colleges do not require applicants to take the ACT Writing Test,
most colleges and four-year universities do accept or recommend submission of score reports.
Throughout the year, English III students will prepare for standardized tests such as the ACT. For this
assignment, you must compose a practice essay in the format of the ACT Writing Test. Your essay will
be evaluated using the scoring guide published by the ACT Corporation.

The official ACT Writing Test has a strict time limitation of 30 minutes. During this practice
exercise, you may use more time to work through the writing process. You may wish to reflect
on class notes and discussions to guide you through these steps.

The time limit on the official ACT Writing Test does not allow for multiple drafts or excessive
revision. The majority of your time should be spent writing your essay. However, remember to
take some time each for brainstorming, outlining, revising and proofreading.

Be sure to type and double-space your essay, and to submit it to turnitin.com. Failure to
comply with these requirements will prevent your essay from earning full credit.
Evaluation
Your essay will be evaluated for demonstrating your ability to:

express judgments by taking a position on the issue from the writing prompt

maintain a focus on the topic throughout the essay

develop a position by using logical reasoning and by supporting your ideas

organize ideas in a logical way

use language clearly and effectively within the rules of Standard Written English
Writing Prompts
Choose ONE of the following prompts for your ACT-style essay
– OR –
you may use one of the four prompts from the prompt breakdown worksheet.
In this country, most people see and hear advertising for many different products every day. Some people
think advertising is useful because it provides important information about many different products. Other
people think advertising is not useful because it tries to persuade people to buy products they do not really
need. In your opinion, does advertising serve a useful purpose in our society?
In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given,
or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support
your position.
Since the cloning of the sheep Dolly, there has been much debate over whether or not human beings should
be cloned. Many people feel this is a violation of the natural order of things and that all research in the area of
human cloning should be banned. Others feel that this is a natural progression of science and human
evolution and that research in the area of human cloning should be a priority. In your opinion, should human
cloning and related developmental research be prohibited by law?
In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given,
or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support
your position.
Although foreign aid spending is typically only a very small portion of our annual budget (currently about .1% of
the Gross National Product), the United States still spends billions of dollars a year on foreign aid. Some people
feel this is too much and that we should spend nearly all of our money addressing problems here at home.
Others feel it is not nearly enough and that we should spend a great deal more helping other nations. In your
opinion, should the United States invest more money to support foreign nations in their time of need?
In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given,
or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support
your position.