Tips for the ACT Writing Test

 Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.  Do some planning before writing the essay; you will be instructed to do your prewriting in your Writing Test booklet. You can refer to these notes as you write the essay on the lined pages in your answer folder.  Do not skip lines and do not write in the margins. Write your essay legibly, in English. o Carefully consider the prompt and make sure you understand it— reread it if you aren't sure. o Decide how you want to answer the question in the prompt. o Then jot down your ideas on the topic: this might simply be a list of ideas, reasons, and examples that you will use to explain your point of view on the issue. o Write down what you think others might say in opposition to your point of view and think about how you would refute their arguments. o Think of how best to organize the ideas in your essay.  At the beginning of your essay, make sure readers will see that you understand the issue.  Explain your point of view in a clear and logical way.  If possible, discuss the issue in a broader context or evaluate the implications or complications of the issue.  Address what others might say to refute your point of view and present a counterargument.  Use specific examples.  Vary the structure of your sentences, and use varied and precise word choices.  Make logical relationships clear by using transitional words and phrases.  Do not wander off the topic.  End with a strong conclusion that summarizes or reinforces your position.  If there is time, do a final check of the essay when it is finished. o Correct any mistakes in grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling. o If you find any words that are hard to read, recopy them so your readers can read them easily. o Make any corrections and revisions neatly, between the lines (but not in the margins).

http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/tips/writing.html Criteria Yes No Not (arranged in the order of importance) sure 1. The essay shows a clear understanding of the task. The essay actually responds to the given topic. If your essay does not respond to the given topic, you will automatically receive a 0. 2. The essay takes a position on the issue and may offer a critical context for discussion. You must decide whether you are for the issue or against it, and state your position clearly in a thesis statement. You must write persuasively, rather than simply comparing and contrasting both sides of the issue. HINT: take a position based on which side is easiest to argue not necessarily what you actually believe. If your essay does not take a clear position, you will automatically receive a 1. 3. Development of ideas is ample, specific, and logical. Most ideas are fully elaborated. You must present arguments or give reasons behind the position you took and explain them clearly. Each argument that you gave to support your position should be developed into a paragraph in the body of your essay. 4. The essay addresses complexity by examining different perspectives on the issue, or by evaluating the implications and/or complications of the issue, or by fully responding to counterarguments to the writer's position. You must present counterarguments for each of the arguments that you mentioned. The counterarguments should acknowledge that the opposite point of view exists. You then need to refute or explain why the opposite point of view is wrong. If your essay does not address counter-arguments, you will automatically receive a 2. 5. A clear focus on the specific issue in the prompt is maintained. You stay on topic throughout the essay. 6. The organization of the essay is clear: the organization may be somewhat predictable or it may grow from the writer's purpose. There are distinct paragraphs in the body of your essay with main topic sentences and supporting detail sentences. 7. Ideas are logically sequenced. Ideas are mentioned in an order that makes sense. 8. Most transitions reflect the writer's logic and are usually integrated into the essay. Transition words and statements are used to show relationships between ideas in the essay. 9. The introduction and conclusion are effective, clear, and well developed. There is a solid introduction and conclusion. 10. The essay shows a good command of language. Sentences are varied and word choice is varied and precise. There are few, if any, errors to distract the reader. The essay has good grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Ideas were written clearly in a 3rd person voice. There are different types of sentences and advanced vocabulary is used.

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http://www.actstudent.org/writing/scores/guidelines.html