Monday, April 18
The ACT Writing Test
Should high school students
be asked to wear uniforms?
Should high school
students be asked to
declare majors and
take specialized
classes?
If you could visit any time and
place in American history, what
would it be and why?
So that you don’t end up
with a case of brain
freeze, you should…
• Learn how the ACT writing test
works
• Understand how it can help
your composite score
• Learn how the rubric works
• Grade some sample essays so
you know how the readers
assess your essay.
Seriously?
How to Write a Stellar Essay in 30 Minutes or Less
After 3 hours of mind-numbing testing
What’s the
ACT
Writing
Test?
It assess writing skills
that should be
emphasized in high
school and that are
required for college
success.
Some colleges are even
starting to require this
test, using it to make
admissions decisions!
30 minutes? You’re
kidding, right?

According to the ACT:
“The ACT Writing Test is designed so that the prompts can
be properly answered in the time allowed. The test is a
different type of assignment than a college paper, but it
measures skills students use when writing a college
paper—such as
 the ability to focus on a topic (thesis),
 to develop ideas (topic sentences),
 and to write logically and coherently (examples),
 with proper sentence structure (style, grammar),
 and sound reasoning (analysis).”
What Do I Have
To Do?

Write on ONE prompt that will define an
issue and describe two points of view on that
issue.
 Ex: Some academics are making an argument
that high school should last 5 years, while others
maintain the reasoning that 4 years is just fine. In
your opinion, should high school be extended to 5
years?

State and defend your position on the issue
described in the writing prompt.
Rest assured…
Your score will
not be affected
by your point of
view; you will
only be scored
based on the
effectiveness
and structure of
your argument!!!
Wow! Thanks to
those helpful
writing tips, my
essay is really
going to ROCK
the ACT graders!
Step 1: Read the instructions in your
test booklet.
What If I Don’t Have An Opinion on
the Topic?
Bull
Step 2: Plan your essay!
 Read:
Closely examine the prompt,
underlining key words.
 Formulate an Answer: How would
you answer the question posed by the
prompt? This will be your thesis. Pick
ONE side.
 Brainstorm: 3 minutes on the unlined
pages (thesis, sub-arguments, Es)
 Oppose: Consider how you will
address the other side
Step 3: Write the Essay
Write the essay on the
lined pages.
 Do not skip lines, and
do not write in the
margins.
 Write legibly!

Writing Tip 1: At the beginning of your
essay, make sure the readers can tell
that you understand the issue.
Writing Tip 2: If possible, discuss the
issue in a broader context or evaluate
the implications or complications of
the issue.
Writing Tip 3: Address, but don’t
support, the opposing point of view.
*Make sure you
aren’t
maliciously
attacking the
opposition; you
don’t want to
sound like an
ignorant writer!
If applicable, use examples, not only from
contemporary culture, but also from literature.
The people grading your essay are
writing/literature teachers, and will appreciate
references to texts.
Writing Tip 5: Vary the structure of
your sentences, and use varied and
precise word choices.
Varied sentence
beginnings, lengths, and
structure will make you
sound educated and ease
your reader from one idea
to the next.
Writing Tip 6: Make logical
relationships clear by using
transitional words and phrases.
•
Use transitions between paragraphs and within paragraphs
(between examples)
•
First  Initially…, First and foremost…, For instance…, It is
important to first note..., On way this is true is…, To begin with…
•
Second  Furthermore…, In the same way…,
Likewise/Similarly…, Another strong quote/example/etc. of this
is…, In the same light…, On the other hand…
•
Third  Lastly…, Most importantly…, Yet the best example to
support…, A final way to prove this true is…, Moreover…
Writing Tip 7: Don’t Wander!

Make sure you are always focused on your
main point – your thesis. Everything should
always connect and relate back to your
thesis!!!
Writing Tip 8: End with a strong
conclusion that summarizes or
reinforces your position.
Avoid starting conclusion with cliché transition:
‘In conclusion…’ or ‘To sum it all up…’
 Restate thesis in a fresh, different way; follow with
references to or mention of main point from each
body paragraph


End the essay with a
!!! Your
conclusion should recap the main ideas
presented in the intro and body, but more
importantly, it needs to “pack a punch” to leave
the reader with a lasting impression.
Writing Tip 9: Proofread
Leave a few minutes to look over your essay.
 Correct any mistakes you notice in grammar, usage,
punctuation, and spelling.
 Don’t know how to spell something? Use a synonym.
 If you notice any words that are hard to read, erase and
recopy them so readers can easily read them.
 Make any corrections and revisions neatly, between the
lines (but not in the margins).

Poofreading is
defiantly
impotant.
Misc. tips
Use personal references sparingly.
 Know your its vs. it’s and the difference
between there, their, they’re.
 Remember parallel structure and agreement.
 Structure: mini intro., 3 body paragraphs (2
Es each), mini conclusion
