JUNIORS…ARE YOU READY?

THE ACT TEST:The Writing Portion

ACT Essay Directions

You will have 30 minutes to construct an essay based on the above question. Think about your position on the question and make sure you have supporting reasons and examples to back up your opinion. Write an essay based on one of the two points provided, or you may choose to write on a different point of view.

How is it scored?

Two raters will score your essay.

They will each score it on a scale of 1-6.

These two grades will be added together to make up a total score from 2-12.

The Essay

Writing the ACT Essay

STEP 1: Read & understand the prompt. Take a position. 1 minute

STEP 2: Brainstorm reasons and examples. 5 minutes

STEP 3: Create an outline. 6 minutes

STEP 4: Write the essay. 15 minutes

STEP 5: Proofread the essay. 3 minutes

30 minutes

Sample Prompt #1

New laws are being proposed that would require schools to accommodate students who wish to transfer to a different school if the school falls below a certain level on statewide standardized tests. Supporters of this new law believe that it is a student’s right to transfer to a new school if his or her current school is not fulfilling its duties. Opponents argue that this law is impractical—what would happen if all the students requested transfers?—and unfairly weights test scores without considering other factors at a school. In your opinion, should students be allowed to transfer if schools score below a certain level on standardized test?

STEP #1

Decide what the question is. Restate it in your own words.

This prompt is asking me

STEP #2

Brainstorm points for both sides of the argument

Side A: Side B:

STEP #3

Choose which position you want to take and create your thesis!

THESIS = TOPIC + OPINION (Should/Should not)

Sample Prompt #2

Many communities are considering adopting curfews for high school students. Some educators and parents favor curfews because they believe it will encourage students to focus more on their homework and make them more responsible. Others feel curfews are up to families, not the community, and that students today need freedom to work and participate in social activities in order to mature properly. Do you think that communities should impose curfews on high school students?

STEP #1

Decide what the question is. Restate it in your own words.

This prompt is asking me

STEP #2

Brainstorm points for both sides of the argument

Side A: Side B:

STEP #3

Choose which position you want to take and create your thesis!

THESIS = TOPIC + OPINION (Should/Should not)

Thesis Statement Checklist

Does your thesis statement respond directly to the prompt? Does your thesis contain a definite statement? Is your thesis an arguable claim? Does your thesis show you have knowledge about your topic? Does your thesis illustrate a passionate perspective? Is your statement neither too specific nor too broad? Does your thesis list the key points to be discussed in your essay? Can you provide evidence to back up your thesis?

Next steps…Writing the Essay!

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Reason 1

Paragraph 3: Reason 2

Paragraph 4: Reason 3

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paraphrase the prompt (1 sentence) Restate what you are being asked____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thesis statement (1 sentence) Describe your position clearly and concisely.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Essay Summary (3 sentences) List the three reasons you will use to support your thesis statement. It should go from best to third best.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: Reason 1Your BEST reason

Topic Sentence (1 sentence) State reason 1.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Explanation (1sentence) Explain reason 1.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Evidence (1 sentence) Provide 1 example.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Closing Sentence (1 sentence) Restate main idea.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 3: Reason 2Next best reason

Topic Sentence (1 sentence) State reason 2. ______________

Explanation (1sentence) Explain reason 2.

Evidence (1 sentence) Provide 1 example.

Closing Sentence (1 sentence) Restate main idea.

Paragraph 4 : Reason 3Next best reason

Topic Sentence (1 sentence) State reason 3. ______________

Explanation (1sentence) Explain reason 3.

Evidence (1 sentence) Provide 1 example.

Closing Sentence (1 sentence) Restate main idea.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Thesis (1 sentence) Restate your position.

Counterclaim (1-2 sentences) Explain what other people might say about you argument _______________________________________________________________________________

Explanation (1-3 sentences) Explain what would happen if others followed your argument.

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