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Mastering the art of crafting an impressive act essay.

When it comes to taking the ACT, the essay section can be a daunting task for many students. Crafting a stellar ACT essay requires a combination of critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of what the examiners are looking for. In this article, we will provide you with valuable tips and strategies to help you ace the ACT essay section.

Understanding the Prompt: The first step in writing a top-notch ACT essay is to carefully read and understand the prompt. Take the time to analyze the prompt, identify the key points, and determine the perspective you want to take. Make sure to address all parts of the prompt in your essay to demonstrate your understanding of the topic.

Crafting a Strong Thesis: A well-crafted thesis statement is essential for a successful ACT essay. Your thesis should clearly state your perspective on the topic and provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay. Make sure your thesis is specific, concise, and supported by evidence from the reading passages provided.

Mastering the ACT Essay Format

When crafting your ACT essay, it is crucial to pay attention to the format in order to present your ideas clearly and effectively. Here are some tips to help you master the ACT essay format:

• Introduction: Start your essay with a clear introduction that introduces the topic and presents your thesis statement. The introduction should also provide some context for the issue being discussed.
• Body Paragraphs: The body of your essay should consist of three paragraphs, each presenting a separate argument or point of view. Make sure to support each argument with specific examples and evidence.
• Transition: Use transitional phrases to smoothly move from one paragraph to the next. This will help to maintain the flow of your essay and make it easier to follow.
• Conclusion: End your essay with a strong conclusion that restates your thesis and summarizes the main points of your argument. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your ACT essay is well-organized and effectively communicates your ideas to the reader. Practice writing essays in this format to improve your writing skills and boost your ACT essay score.

Understanding the Prompt

Before you start crafting your ACT essay, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the prompt. Take the time to carefully read and analyze the prompt provided. Understand the main topic or issue being discussed, the specific question or directive you need to address, and any relevant context or background information provided.

Highlight key words or phrases in the prompt that can guide your essay writing. Pay close attention to any specific requirements or instructions included in the prompt, such as the need to take a specific stance, provide examples, or address multiple perspectives.

By thoroughly understanding the prompt, you’ll be better equipped to craft a focused and coherent response that directly addresses the question at hand. This will help ensure that your essay is well-structured, relevant, and meets the expectations of the ACT examiners.

Developing a Strong Thesis

One of the most important elements of a stellar ACT essay is a strong thesis statement. Your thesis is the central claim that you will be arguing for throughout your essay. It should be clear, specific, and concise, outlining the main point you will be making in your essay.

When developing your thesis, make sure to consider the prompt and the specific issue or topic at hand. Your thesis should directly address the question or problem presented in the prompt, and provide a clear stance on the issue. Avoid vague or generalized statements, and instead strive for a thesis that is focused and impactful.

Remember that your thesis sets the tone for the rest of your essay, so take the time to craft a strong and compelling statement that will guide your writing and help you stay on track as you develop your argument.

Structuring Your Essay

When crafting your ACT essay, it’s essential to have a clear and organized structure. A well-structured essay will not only help you express your ideas effectively but also make it easier for the reader to follow your arguments.

Start with a strong introduction that clearly states your thesis and provides a brief overview of the points you will discuss. This sets the tone for the rest of the essay and gives the reader a roadmap of what to expect.

Next, develop your body paragraphs, each focusing on a specific supporting point that relates back to your thesis. Make sure to provide evidence and examples to back up your claims and demonstrate critical thinking skills.

Conclude your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. This is your last chance to leave a lasting impression on the reader, so make it count!

Remember, a well-structured essay is not only about what you say but also how you say it. Pay attention to transitions between paragraphs, logical organization of ideas, and a cohesive flow throughout the essay. This will ensure that your ACT essay is not only well-written but also well-received by the readers.

Using Examples to Support Your Ideas

When crafting your ACT essay, it’s crucial to support your ideas with relevant examples. Providing examples not only strengthens your argument but also helps to illustrate your points clearly to the reader.

Choose Examples Wisely: Select examples that are specific, detailed, and directly relate to the topic at hand. Generic examples may weaken your argument, so be sure to choose examples that are compelling and relevant.

For instance, if you’re discussing the impact of technology on communication, providing a specific example of how social media has changed how people interact can strengthen your argument.

Provide Evidence: Back up your examples with solid evidence to lend credibility to your essay. Statistics, studies, and expert opinions can all serve as valuable evidence to support your claims.

Quoting a study that shows a correlation between excessive screen time and decreased face-to-face communication can add weight to your argument about the negative effects of technology.

Explain the Significance: After presenting your examples, be sure to explain their relevance to your thesis statement. Clearly connect the examples back to your main argument to show how they support your overall point.

By tying your examples back to your thesis, you ensure that your essay stays focused and cohesive, making a stronger case for your position.

Editing and Proofreading Your Essay

Once you’ve finished writing your ACT essay, it’s crucial to spend some time editing and proofreading it. This step is essential to ensure that your essay is clear, coherent, and error-free.

Start by reviewing your essay for overall structure and organization. Make sure your introduction and conclusion are strong and that your body paragraphs flow logically. Check for any gaps in your argument and make sure each paragraph contributes to your overall thesis.

Next, focus on sentence-level editing. Look for awkward phrasing, unclear sentences, and grammatical errors. Consider reading your essay out loud to catch any awkward or confusing passages.

Finally, proofread your essay for spelling and punctuation errors. Pay attention to commonly misused words, such as “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” Make sure your punctuation is consistent and appropriate.

Editing and proofreading may seem tedious, but they are essential steps in crafting a stellar ACT essay. Taking the time to polish your writing can make a significant difference in the clarity and effectiveness of your essay.

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ACT Essay Template and Sample

Act essay template.

¶1: Introductory Paragraph

• Introductory statement

¶2: First Body Paragraph

• Describe your thesis
• Provide 1st example/reasoning: include specific, relevant information

¶3: Second Body Paragraph

• Continue supporting your thesis
• Provide 2nd example/reasoning: include specific, relevant information

If you are running out of time, don’t write a 2nd body paragraph. Instead, take the time to write a thorough 3rd body paragraph and a clear conclusion  paragraph.

¶4: Third Body Paragraph

• Explain how your thesis compares and contrasts with Perspectives One, Two, and/or Three
• Strengths/Weaknesses of the perspective(s)
• Insights offered / Insights not considered
• Persuasive / Not persuasive
• Example or reasoning: provide specific, relevant information

¶5: Conclusion Paragraph

• Recap your thesis
• Recap how your thesis compares and contrasts with Perspectives One, Two, and/or Three

Sample Prompt

Bilingual Accreditation

While the most common language in the United States is English, it’s certainly not the only language in which Americans communicate. In fact, bilingual fluency is highly desirable in many professions, including business, education, and medicine. In an effort to ready students for success in their future careers, some high schools may consider instituting programs that would offer bilingual accreditation to students who successfully complete a significant portion of their schooling in a language other than English. Because bilingual certification is not a necessary component of traditional education, should schools be  expected to explore this option for interested students? As American high schools aim to remain competitive as measured by increasingly rigorous international education standards, innovative programs such as bilingual certification may prove to be essential.

Read and carefully consider these perspectives. Each discusses relevant aspects of offering bilingual accreditation.

  Perspective One: Schools should encourage bilingual fluency but should not be expected to offer special classes  or programs. School administrators need to work on strengthening the existing curriculum rather than overcomplicating instruction by attempting to incorporate additional programs that do not reinforce traditional education.

Perspective Two:  Offering bilingual accreditation weakens the core of high school curriculum. A large enough portion of the student population already struggles to maintain passing grades when taught in English, and adding other languages would likely add to that number.

Perspective Three:  Bilingual accreditation should be offered, but it needs to be thoughtfully implemented. Courses taught in languages other than English need to be carefully selected to ensure that this program does not affect the integrity of the high school diploma.

Sample Essay Using the Prompt

Essay outline.

• Thesis:  Schools should offer bilingual accreditation as long as courses offered in languages other than English are carefully selected.

¶2: First body paragraph

• Describe your thesis:   All classes need to be carefully selected so scheduling bilingual offerings is not an additional burden for school administrators.
• Provide first example/reasoning: include specific, relevant information— Even if core classes are given in two languages, all students still study the core curriculum and preserve the integrity of the diploma.

¶3: Second Body Paragraph

• Continue supporting your thesis:   Offering bilingual accreditation provides an opportunity for schools to offer non-traditional classes for all students .
• Provide second example/reasoning: include specific, relevant information— Every dollar spent to accommodate bilingual education should be matched with equal funding for other types of educational enrichment such as STEM training and career-oriented electives.

¶4: Third Body Paragraph

• Explain how your thesis compares and contrasts with Perspectives One, Two, and/or Three:   The first perspective argues that schools should encourage bilingual fluency but not add any bilingual classes, which is in direct contrast to Perspective Three.
• Strengths/Weaknesses of the perspective(s):   Perspective One doesn’t take into account that making the existing curriculum better often means adding additional classes, which bilingual accreditation would accomplish.
• Persuasive / Not persuasive:   The argument simply says that these classes would only be for interested students, so it doesn’t affect everyone.
• Example or Reasoning: provide specific, relevant information— Most of the world uses English as a second language, and many people speak at least two languages, so to stay competitive, U.S. students should also be fluent in two languages.
• Recap your thesis:   I fully support perspective three because it opens up possibilities for all students without denying anyone a full high school curriculum leading to a meaningful diploma.
• Recap how your thesis compares and contrasts with Perspectives One, Two, and/or Three:   Recognizing the benefits of being bilingual, and making bilingual courses available but optional, is the best of both worlds.

Final Essay

               In today’s world where international education standards are very high and the U.S.  needs to remain competitive, educators are looking for ways to enhance high school curriculum.  One way is offering classes in languages other than English. Some people think that  schools should provide enough education in a different language for students to be certified  as bilingual. Others think this will weaken the curriculum. Still others think the accreditation  should be offered but carefully administered so that graduation from that school would  indicate the completed high school curriculum, and this is the option I agree with. I would  further argue that schools should not only carefully implement bilingual programs to suit  students who want to become fluent in two languages, but also provide supplemental non- traditional courses for students pursuing their entire education in English.

              The third perspective posits that while students should be given the opportunity to  learn in other languages and be accredited as bilingual, the courses given need to be carefully  selected. In reality, all classes need to be carefully selected so this is not a problem  for bilingual classes. And if the classes selected were all optional, not required, it would not  affect students who still want to learn everything in English. Since core classes might be  given in two languages, and students select which one they want, all students still study the core curriculum and preserve the integrity of the diploma. Schools have always taught  languages in high school so a French or Spanish course taught as a bilingual class makes  perfect sense. Bilingual classes are also advantageous for students who do well and want  to challenge themselves. So a French literature class can be taught in French while students  read in French also.

             As schools work to accommodate students who wish to pursue a bilingual education,  administrators must keep in mind that students who do not want an additional bilingual  accreditation should still have every opportunity to excel as they work toward their high  school diplomas. Every dollar spent to accommodate bilingual education should be matched  with equal funding for other types of educational enrichment such as STEM training and  career-oriented electives. That way, every student can benefit from classes that go beyond  traditional education, whether the classes concentrate on language, science, technology,  engineering, mathematics, or future careers. Given the rigorous demands of the current job  climate, students will greatly benefit from any additional marketable skills that they can  acquire during their high school careers.

              The first perspective argues that schools should encourage bilingual fluency but not  add any bilingual classes, which is in direct contrast to my position. Instead, the school  administrators should make the existing curriculum better so that traditional education is  really good. Certainly a high school curriculum should be as good as it can be and we should  always be looking for ways to make it better. That often means adding new courses. For instance, computer courses didn’t exist a few years ago, but they are in schools now because  it’s important for people to be able to use computers. It’s the same thing with bilingual  courses. Most of the world uses English as a second language, and many people speak at  least two languages. So it’s only right that to stay competitive, U.S. students should also  be fluent in two languages; this is particularly important in careers that require international  work. Also, the argument simply says that these classes would only be for interested  students, so it doesn’t affect everyone. And finally, how can the schools encourage bilingual  fluency if they don’t provide a place for students to practice another language?

              Being bilingual in a world with international interaction can’t help but be useful. I fully  support perspective three because it opens up possibilities for all students without denying  anyone a full high school curriculum leading to a meaningful diploma. Recognizing the  benefits of being bilingual, and making bilingual courses available but optional, is the best  of both worlds. Expanding courses offered in a curriculum is always better than restricting  them, especially when they serve such an important need as the ability to communicate  with others in their own language.

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How to Write an Effective ACT Essay

By Eric Eng

The ACT essay, also known as the writing portion of the ACT, may seem daunting at first. However, with the correct understanding, planning, and writing techniques, it’s possible to assemble a strong essay. In this guide, we’ll go through each step of the process to help you master the art of ACT Essay writing.

Understanding the ACT Essay Prompt

Understanding the prompt is the first step toward crafting a successful ACT essay. The ACT writing test propels you to analyze and create an argument around a complex issue. To do this effectively, you need to decipher what the essay question is asking of you.

When you receive the ACT essay prompt, it is essential to take the time to carefully read and comprehend it. Pay close attention to the language used and the specific instructions given. This will help you grasp the central theme or topic that the prompt is addressing.

Once you clearly understand the prompt, you can begin to analyze its components. Look for keywords or phrases that indicate the nature of the issue being discussed. These keywords can provide valuable insights into the perspectives you will encounter later in the prompt.

Decoding the ACT Essay Question

You’ll state a contemporary issue and then three perspectives related to it. Your task is to analyze and evaluate the perspectives, express your viewpoint, and explain the relationship between your philosophy and those given. Getting the hang of this process requires you to break down the prompt and analyze the views critically.

When decoding the ACT essay question, paying attention to the statement regarding the contemporary issue is crucial. This statement sets the stage for the perspectives that follow. Take the time to reflect on the significance of the issue and its relevance in today’s society.

The three perspectives in the prompt offer different viewpoints on the given issue. Each view presents a unique argument or stance; your job is to critically evaluate them. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective, and identify any underlying assumptions or biases that may influence the arguments presented.

Critical Elements of the ACT Essay Prompt

The ACT essay prompt has three critical elements – the statement of a contemporary issue, the three perspectives, and your task. All these elements provide a blueprint for your essay. Understanding how to extrapolate the details and nuances of each perspective will enable you to construct a compelling argument.

The statement of a contemporary issue serves as the foundation for your essay. It is essential to comprehend the context and significance of the issue to effectively address it in your writing. Consider the implications and potential consequences of the problem and how it may impact various stakeholders or society as a whole.

The three perspectives presented in the prompt offer different viewpoints on the issue. Each view may highlight other aspects or consequences of the issue, providing you with various arguments to consider. Analyze each perspective critically, identifying the evidence and reasoning to support the arguments.

Your task in the ACT essay is to evaluate the perspectives and state your viewpoint. This requires you to form a well-reasoned argument that takes into account the strengths and weaknesses of the perspectives provided. Additionally, you must explain the relationship between your viewpoint and those given, highlighting any similarities or differences in reasoning or evidence.

By understanding the critical elements of the ACT essay prompt and decoding its nuances, you will be better equipped to craft a thoughtful and persuasive essay. Take the time to analyze the prompt thoroughly, consider multiple perspectives, and construct a well-structured argument. Remember, practice makes perfect, so hone your skills by tackling various essay prompts to improve your performance on the ACT writing test.

Planning Your ACT Essay

Planning your ACT essay is a crucial step in the writing process. It not only helps you organize your thoughts but also allows you to create a logical progression in your argument, resulting in a high-scoring essay.

When approaching the planning stage, there are several key factors to consider. Understanding the prompt thoroughly ensures that your essay addresses the specific requirements and stays focused on the given topic. Take the time to carefully analyze the prompt, identifying keywords or phrases to guide your writing.

Importance of Brainstorming

One effective technique to kickstart your planning process is brainstorming. This free-thinking exercise allows you to generate ideas and arguments about the prompt. Grab a pen and paper, or open a blank document, and jot down every relevant thought that comes to mind.

Don’t worry about organizing your ideas or evaluating their validity during brainstorming. The goal is to create a pool of potential content that can be refined and collected later. By allowing yourself to explore different angles and perspectives, you increase the chances of finding unique and compelling arguments for your essay.

Consider different viewpoints, examples, and evidence that support your main argument. Consider personal experiences, historical events, literary references, or scientific studies that can strengthen your position. The more ideas you generate during this stage, the more options you will have when crafting your essay.

Creating an Effective Essay Outline

Once you have completed the brainstorming process, it’s time to create an outline for your essay. An outline serves as the skeleton of your essay, providing a clear structure and ensuring a logical flow of ideas.

Start by organizing your thoughts into different sections: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The introduction should grab the reader’s attention, provide background information, and present your thesis statement. The body paragraphs should each focus on a specific argument or supporting evidence, giving detailed explanations and examples to support your claims. Finally, the conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis concisely and impactful.

Consider using a topic sentence within each body paragraph to introduce the main idea, followed by supporting evidence and analysis. This approach helps create a coherent and cohesive essay, allowing readers to follow your thought process easily.

Remember, the outline is a flexible tool that can be adjusted as you refine your essay. It helps you stay organized and ensures that you cover all the necessary points in a logical order. By creating a well-structured outline, you set yourself up for a smoother writing process and a more polished final essay.

In conclusion, planning your ACT essay is an essential step that should not be overlooked. By thoroughly understanding the prompt, brainstorming ideas, and creating an effective outline, you lay the foundation for a well-structured and persuasive essay. So take the time to plan your essay carefully, and watch as your ideas come to life on the page.

Writing the ACT Essay

Writing the ACT essay is a crucial part of the exam, allowing you to showcase your analytical and writing skills. With your understanding of the prompt and your essay outlined, you are now ready to start writing. However, it’s important to remember that the ACT essay is not just about putting words on paper but crafting a well-structured and persuasive argument that effectively addresses the given topic.

The ACT essay includes an introduction, two to three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each section is vital in presenting your ideas and supporting your thesis statement.

Crafting a Strong Introduction

The introduction is your first impression on the reader, so it’s crucial to make it engaging and compelling. Your introduction should briefly overview the topic and provide context for the reader to understand the issue’s importance. Additionally, it should include a thesis statement that clearly expresses your viewpoint and sets the direction for the rest of your essay.

Consider using a hook to grab the reader’s attention when crafting your introduction. This could be a thought-provoking question, a surprising statistic, or a compelling anecdote. By starting your essay with an intense and captivating introduction, you can immediately capture the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading.

Building Your Argument in Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of your ACT essay are where you develop and support your thesis statement. Each body paragraph should contain one argument in support of your thesis, backed up by evidence. It’s essential to choose your arguments carefully and present them in a logical and coherent manner.

Using relevant examples is an effective way to support your argument. These examples can be drawn from various sources, such as literature, history, current events, or personal experiences. By incorporating specific details and providing concrete evidence, you can strengthen your argument and make it more persuasive.

In addition to examples, logical reasoning is another powerful tool to support your argument. By presenting a clear and logical chain of thought, you can demonstrate the validity of your thesis statement. This can be achieved through deductive or inductive reasoning, as well as by addressing potential counterarguments and refuting them.

Concluding Your Essay Effectively

Your conclusion is the final opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader. It should not be a mere repetition of your thesis statement and arguments but a synthesis of your main points and a reflection on their broader implications.

In your conclusion, restate your thesis in light of the arguments you presented in the body paragraphs. However, it goes beyond a simple restatement and offers a fresh perspective or insight. Consider discussing the significance of your argument in a larger context or suggesting potential avenues for further exploration and thought.

Remember, a firm conclusion should give a sense of closure to your essay while leaving the reader with something to ponder. By ending your essay on a thought-provoking note, you can leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your ability to think critically and analytically.

In conclusion, writing the ACT essay requires careful planning and execution. By crafting a solid introduction, building a persuasive argument in the body paragraphs, and concluding effectively, you can create a compelling essay that showcases your skills and impresses the reader.

Essential ACT Essay Writing Skills

Effective ACT essay writing employs specific skills. These skills can be developed with practice, including using persuasive language, incorporating evidence, maintaining logical flow, and much more.

When using persuasive language, it is essential to understand that robust and influential language is crucial in making your arguments compelling. This means using vocabulary that conveys certainty and conviction. By carefully selecting your words and phrases, you can effectively persuade your readers to agree with your viewpoint.

In addition to persuasive language, incorporating evidence is another critical skill that can significantly enhance the strength of your argument. Proof refers to specific examples, facts, or data that support your arguments. You can substantiate your claims and make your essay more convincing by providing concrete evidence. Remember, the more reliable and relevant your proof is, the stronger your argument becomes.

Furthermore, maintaining a logical flow in your essay is essential for clarity and readability. A well-structured essay ensures that your ideas are presented logically, allowing readers to follow your thought process efficiently. This involves providing each argument logically leads to the next, and all arguments collectively support your thesis. By organizing your essay in a coherent manner, you can effectively convey your message and make it easier for your readers to understand your perspective.

Moreover, it is essential to note that effective ACT essay writing also requires strong analytical skills. Analyzing the given prompt and understanding its nuances is crucial for developing a well-rounded argument. You can identify the key points and formulate a clear thesis statement by carefully examining the prompt. Additionally, analyzing and addressing the counterarguments in your essay demonstrates your ability to critically evaluate different perspectives.

In conclusion, mastering the essential ACT essay writing skills is a continuous process that requires practice and dedication. You can significantly improve your essay writing abilities by using persuasive language, incorporating evidence, maintaining logical flow, and honing your analytical skills. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep writing and refining your skills to achieve success on the ACT essay.

Reviewing and Revising Your ACT Essay

Reviewing and revising your work is the last step in crafting a great ACT essay. This is an opportunity to enhance your essay’s clarity, coherence, and cogency.

Importance of Proofreading

Proofreading ensures that your essay is free from grammatical and typographical errors. It also allows you to check the structure, flow, and clarity of your writing.

Tips for Effective Essay Revision

Look at the overall argument, check each paragraph for clarity and purpose, and ensure each sentence is concise and precise. You can polish your ACT essay to its maximum potential with these revision tips.

In conclusion, an effective ACT essay involves understanding the prompt, planning your essay, using essential writing skills, and reviewing your work. By mastering these areas, you can confidently write an impressive ACT essay.

If you want to discuss the matter to a greater extent or inquire about college admissions, look no further! Our experts here at AdmissionSight can help you! Here at AdmissionSight, we have over a decade’s worth of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process to get accepted to the top universities in the world. Feel free to set up an appointment today to book your initial consultation .

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., sample act essay prompt (and how to tackle it).

Are you taking the ACT with Writing? No need to stress! The ACT essay follows a predictable format, which means you can practice and prepare beforehand. Take a look at a sample ACT writing prompt and learn five key steps to penning a high-scoring essay.

Keep in mind: The ACT writing essay is optional. Currently, only 27 colleges and universities require the ACT with Writing. You can see the complete list  here . If there is any chance that you might apply to one of those schools, you should register for the ACT with Writing. Not sure where you will apply? You should strongly consider signing up for the essay and keep your options open.

ACT with Writing: Sample Prompt

This example writing prompt comes straight from our book ACT Prep :

Education and the Workplace

Many colleges and universities have cut their humanities departments, and high schools have started to shift their attention much more definitively toward STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and away from ELA (English, Language Arts). Representatives from both school boards and government organizations suggest that the move toward STEM is necessary in helping students to participate in a meaningful way in the American workplace. Given the urgency of this debate for the future of education and society as a whole, it is worth examining the potential consequences of this shift in how students are educated in the United States.

Read and carefully consider these perspectives. Each suggests a particular way of thinking about the shift in American education.

Write a unified, coherent essay in which you evaluate multiple perspectives on the issue of how schools should balance STEM and ELA subjects. In your essay, be sure to:

• analyze and evaluate the perspectives given
• state and develop your own perspective on the issue
• explain the relationship between your perspective and those given

Your perspective may be in full agreement with any of the others, in partial agreement, or wholly different. Whatever the case, support your ideas with logical reasoning and detailed, persuasive examples.

How to Write the ACT Essay

Your job is to write an essay in which you take some sort of position on the prompt, all while assessing the three perspectives provided in the boxes. Find a way to anchor your essay with a unique perspective of your own that can be defended and debated, and you are already in the upper echelon of scorers.

Step 1: Work the Prompt

What in the prompt requires you to weigh in? Why is this issue still the subject of debate and not a done deal?

Step 2: Work the Perspectives

Typically, the three perspectives will be split: one for , one against , and one in the middle . Your goal in Step 2 is to figure out where each perspective stands and then identify at least one shortcoming of each perspective. For the example above, ask yourself: 

• What does each perspective consider?
• What does each perspective overlook?

Read More: What's a Good ACT Score?

Step 3: Generate Your Own Perspective

Now it's time to come up with your own perspective! If you merely restate one of the three given perspectives, you won’t be able to get into the highest scoring ranges. You’ll draw from each of the perspectives, and you may side with one of them, but your perspective should have something unique about it.

Step 4: Put It All Together

Now that you have your ideas in order, here's a blueprint for how to organize the ACT essay. This blueprint works no matter what your prompt is.

Step 5: (If There's Time): Proofread

Spend one or two minutes on proofreading your essay if you have time. You’re looking for big, glaring errors. If you find one, erase it completely or cross it out neatly. Though neatness doesn’t necessarily affect your grade, it does make for a happy grader.

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New Act Essay Writing Section

The new act essay, your full guide to act writing section.

Since September of 2015, the ACT essay / writing section has gone through a radical change. And that’s amazing news for you.

The ACT essay was always easy to master with a bit of practice and the right techniques. However, the new ACT essay is even easier to perfect than the old one ever could have been . This short guide will teach you exactly what’s changing, how to prepare for the new essay, and how to take full advantage of this new format.

Quick side note: If you’re looking for a proven ACT prep system to help you write a flawless essay check out my ACT prep program . It is built on my proven tactics and methodologies and has an average user score improvement of over +4.66 points.

Why did ACT test change?

The new “CORE-friendly” ACT essay / writing portion just makes this test more beatable than it already was. I’ll leave the rest to the ACT’s PR team. For now, let’s get into what you should do about it.

What is Different?

The old ACT writing / essay section gave you a simple prompt, then asked you to take a side on that prompt and argue your point. The basic format looked something like this:

“Watching TV can be bad for your brain. However, sometimes it’s educational, so some people think it’s good for your brain. So in your opinion, do you think that TV is good or bad?

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.”

The old format couldn’t have been any simpler. “Here are two opinions on a topic. Pick one and then write about it for a few paragraphs.”

The new ACT writing / essay format is much more complicated. But here’s the funny thing: while the new ACT writing / essay FORMAT is much more complex, the process of WRITING these essays has become VASTLY SIMPLER .

Here’s what it looks like now: https://www.act.org/actnext/pdf/SampleWritingPrompt.pdf

Take the time to read through all of this and really get a feel for what the new ACT writing / essay section looks like. Once you do, we shall move on:

How Do You Write This Thing (and why is it so much easier)?

In the old ACT essay, you only had to do one thing – pick a side and argue it. Now, you have to do so much! You need to evaluate three different arguments, you need to come up with your own argument, and then you have to relate your argument to the three arguments given. Oh, the humanity!

But here’s the thing: in the old version of the ACT essay, you had to both come up with an argument and come up with the reasons why you support it. In the new ACT essay, all of the arguments and reasoning behind them is provided for you!

It’s the difference between being asked to “make lasagna or pizza for dinner tonight” and “grabbing something off the McDonald’s dollar menu.” Sure, there are more options on the McDonald’s menu – but they’re already cooked for you!

At first, it seems like there’s a ton more to do. In reality, the ACT is doing all of the hard work for you! All you need to do is read carefully, pick what you like, and then follow a simple process to “plug in your opinion.”

A reminder: If you’re eager to succeed with a proven ACT prep system to help you write a flawless essay check out my ACT prep program . It is built on my proven tactics and methodologies and has an average user score improvement of over +4.66 points .

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Articles & Advice > Test Prep > Articles

Your Essential Guide to Getting Better ACT Scores

If your goal is to get the best ACT scores possible, this guide is for you. Learn about practice exams, study strategies, test day prep tips, and more!

by CollegeXpress

Last Updated: Aug 19, 2024

Originally Posted: Aug 19, 2024

Preparing for the ACT can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and a positive mindset, any student can significantly improve their scores. By focusing on both content mastery and effective test-taking techniques, you can approach the test with confidence and composure. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you ace the ACT and boost your chances of getting into your dream college.

Understand the test’s structure

The ACT consists of four multiple-choice sections—English, Math, Reading, and Science—plus an optional Writing section. Each section is scored from 1–36, and the composite score is the average of these four sections. Familiarize yourself with the format , question types, and timing for each section. Understanding the structure will help you know what to expect and manage your time more effectively during the exam.

Create and follow a study schedule

Consistency is key to improving your ACT scores. Create a study schedule that allocates specific times for each subject area three to six months before your scheduled test date—then be sure to stick with it! Breaking down your study sessions into manageable chunks will help you focus on different sections each time. Consistent, focused study sessions over a longer period are always more effective than cramming all at once.

Related: So You Want a 36: How to Study for the ACT in 4 Easy Steps

Use high-quality study materials and take practice tests

Invest in high-quality study materials such as official ACT prep books, online courses, and reputable study guides. The ACT’s official website offers free practice tests and questions that are invaluable for your preparation. Also consider using apps and online resources that provide interactive practice questions and personalized study plans.

Practice tests are really your best friend when it comes to ACT preparation. Start by taking a full-length practice test to establish a baseline score. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Regularly taking practice tests under timed conditions will not only improve your test-taking stamina but also help you get used to the pressure of exam day.

Learn effective test-taking strategies

Understanding the content is crucial, but so is mastering test-taking strategies . Learn how to quickly eliminate wrong answer choices, manage your time effectively, and guess intelligently based on context clues when needed. For example, in the Reading section, practice skimming passages for main ideas and answering questions without getting bogged down in details.

Focus on your weaker areas

After identifying your weak areas through practice tests, dedicate more time to improving those sections. Use study guides, online resources, and tutoring if necessary. For instance, if you struggle with math, spend extra time reviewing the harder concepts, solving practice problems, and learning test-taking strategies specific to the Math section. If English is the problem, work on your language and writing abilities. Here's a little bit of advice for each area:

• Strengthen your grammar and writing skills: The English section focuses on grammar, punctuation, and rhetorical skills. Brush up on grammar rules and practice identifying errors in sentences. For the optional Writing section, practice writing essays on various topics, focusing on clear, coherent arguments and well-structured paragraphs.
• Improve your reading speed: The ACT Reading section can be challenging due to time constraints. Improving your reading speed and comprehension will help you tackle this section much more efficiently. Practice reading various types of texts—such as fiction, nonfiction, and scientific articles—to become more comfortable with different writing styles and complex information.
• Enhance your math skills:  The Math section covers a wide range of topics from algebra to trigonometry. Review fundamental math concepts and formulas regularly, and work on practice problems to reinforce your understanding and speed. Don’t forget to practice using your calculator efficiently, as knowing when and how to use it can save you valuable time.

Related: How to Work on Your Academic Weaknesses in High School

Develop scientific reasoning skills

Unique to the ACT, the Science section tests your ability to interpret data and analyze scientific information. Practice reading scientific graphs, charts, and tables. Enhance your skills in interpreting scientific experiments and drawing conclusions from given data. Familiarize yourself with common scientific terms and concepts that frequently appear on the test. Since the SAT doesn’t have a Science section, doing well on the ACT can really help STEM students stand out.

Related: How to Tackle the Hardest Parts of the ACT

Stay healthy and relaxed

A healthy body and mind are crucial for optimal test performance. Ensuring you get enough sleep , eating nutritious meals, and exercising regularly are important to do throughout the school year, but it’s especially crucial when you’re preparing for the ACT. Also avoid last-minute cramming the night before the test; try relaxing and doing something enjoyable instead to keep your stress levels in check.

Take care of test day logistics

It pays to make a plan before test day. Be as prepared as possible by researching the testing location, how to get there, and what you need to bring, such as an admission ticket, a photo ID, a calculator, and snacks. Arrive early to avoid any last-minute stress. Being well prepared logistically will help you stay calm and focused.

Stay positive and confident!

Last but not least, be sure to maintain a positive attitude and believe in your ability to succeed on the ACT. Confidence can significantly impact your performance. Just trust in the preparation you’ve done and approach the test with a calm and focused mindset, and you’ll do just fine!

Related: How to Conquer Your Test Anxiety

Improving your ACT scores is a journey that requires dedication, practice, and strategic planning. By following these tips and staying committed to your goals, you can enhance your performance and open doors to exciting college opportunities from admission to scholarships. Good luck!

Planning the best time to take your standardized tests? Check out our SAT & ACT Date Wheel , featuring registration deadlines, test dates, score release time frames, and more.

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• Essay Editor

How to Write a Prompt for Essays: A Complete Guide

Writing essays isn’t easy. Even if you decide to use the help of generative AI, you need to think of a good writing prompt. Today, you will learn how to create a prompt as well as why we need prompts for writing with generative models.

What is a prompt?

A prompt is a command you give to an AI generator. It includes instructions on the topic of a text, its style, tone, and other important features. The generative model analyzes your command and prepares an answer based on preexisting rules and patterns that it learned while training. 

Prompts for writing are the key to getting high-quality responses from artificial intelligence generators. By learning how to create a prompt for AI, you can guarantee better results of your collaboration with the advanced technology.

How to create a prompt for AI: secret techniques

It might seem like creating prompts for writing is simple. However, if you use text generators often, you know that getting a non-generic response can be a hassle. So it’s imperative to read the following tutorial on how to create a prompt and learn secret rules that make artificial intelligence obey all commands.

Step 1. Conduct a research

This might seem redundant to you, but the lack of research into a topic makes your prompt too generic. It is important to understand all the angles for covering in your essay in order to develop a comprehensive command.

Luckily, you can use artificial intelligence here, too. Ask a generator to make a plan for your essay, and you will be able to see a rough list of the subjects for studying. This is not exhaustive, of course, but it will direct you to topics that will help to better outline the essay.

Step 2. Make an essay plan 

When you need a brief answer to a general question, you might feed the generator a simple writing prompt. However, when working with essays, articles, or other longer texts, you need to take a considerate approach to receive extensive responses.

Use your research to plan each paragraph of a paper. You will need this to organize the sequence and contents of your requests.

Step 3. Determine the type of a writing prompt

Depending on the type of your assignment, you will have to follow a particular argumentation style. This will also impact the way your commands are worded. Here are the main types of prompts to use in essays.

• Informational . This type focuses on collecting data on a certain topic. In response to these prompts, the generative model will present information in an unbiased, factual way. It can be used when gathering facts for informative essays. Example: “explain how snowflakes are formed.”
• Comparative . Comparative questions make your generator contrast several items. This type is particularly useful for compare and contrast essays, but can also be applied in argumentative essays. Example: “compare wind turbines and thermal plants.”
• Analytical . These requests are used to make the artificial intelligence analyze certain data. They are useful for creating analytical papers and problem solution essays. Example: “analyze the effects of overconsumption on the environment.”
• Persuasive . Persuasive writing prompts make AI give you responses that are more biased in nature. They are useful for argumentative and persuasive papers when your task is to convince the audience to accept a certain point of view. Example: “describe why ocean exploration is more important than space exploration”
• Instructional . These commands are used when you need to give direct and more technical requests. They are often applied when you want to check your texts for grammar mistakes or reword a certain phrase. Example: “organize the references in MLA format.”

Most of the time, you will have to combine several types into one prompt for a clear and original response, so selecting your requests in advance will help you to form a good request.

Step 4. Write your prompt

This final stage deals with creating prompts for writing. However, first, you need to learn about compulsory elements all prompts must include:

• instruction , or a command that tells the generator what it needs to perform;
• context , or additional information that the generator should base its response on;
• purpose , or the goal of the request and specifications, like target audience, essay type, stylistic requirements, etc.;
• example (optional), or sample text that artificial intelligence will emulate in style, narration, etc.

Example: “In the context of renewable energy development, describe the advantages and disadvantages of solar versus wind power. Write a persuasive text meant to convince the general audience that solar power is more sustainable. The text must comply with Chicago style and include three arguments and one counter argument.”

These are the main elements that comprise prompts for writing essays. Use them in your works and compare the results with what you used to get before.

Try your prompt writing skills on Aithor

With this guide, you have now mastered the art of how to create a prompt for AI. Go ahead and try your new knowledge with Aithor, an artificial intelligence generator designed specifically to assist students with academic writing. Whether you want to build a new prompt from scratch or generate free write prompts as an example, Aithor is here to help you get started.

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How to write your ACT essay

Published September 27, 2020. Updated August 16, 2021.

As if the ACT test wasn’t difficult enough, lo and behold, there’s a dreaded essay! But fear not; if you’ve written an expository essay – and you’ve likely completed several of these through your English literature and History courses – you already have the experience of investigating an issue, evaluating the evidence, and arguing for your preferred stance. In other words, you’re already on the right path to starting the essay!

Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.

Overview of the ACT essay

The ACT essay, also known as the ACT Writing Test, is a 40-minute assessment of your writing skills. Test takers are given a prompt influenced by a current issue or debate, with three different perspectives. Each perspective presents a different view of the debate or subject. On average, the perspectives are brief – only about two or three sentences long – and require you to write an essay describing your own views in relation to the perspectives. In other words, one perspective is considered to be for the issue, one against it, and one is generally neutral but tends to shift towards supporting or criticizing the issue. There is no word minimum or maximum; however, the goal is to write between 400-700 words in order to have a strong essay.

• The ACT writing test is 40 minutes long.
• The writing prompt presents a current issue or debate, then three perspectives on the issue/debate.
• You choose one perspective to include in your argument.

Grading for the ACT Essay

The scoring criteria for the ACT essay are based on four categories:

Ideas and Analysis

Development and support, organization, language use and conventions.

Each category has a maximum score of 12 points, with the maximum grade earned on the essay being a 6. In other words, if you earn 12 points in each category, your total essay score will be 6.

For Ideas and Analysis, you are required to critically analyze the issue and develop a compelling, argumentative stance that avoids abstract ideas and instead utilizes precision and clarity. Your writing should examine the perspectives and connect them to your thesis statement, which develops your stance on the issue.

For Development and Support, you are required to provide excellent insight and reasoning in supporting your claims. This can be provided in numerous methods (statistics, examples, etc.) and doesn’t have to be true, since you aren’t expected to have prior knowledge of the topics. However, any exaggerated arguments will count against your score.

For Organization, you are required to organize your ideas in the proper structure of an argumentative or expository essay. This includes a thesis statement followed by paragraphs of evidence and support for your stance, with a conclusion. Proper transitions are essential for getting a top score.

For Language Use and Conventions, you are required to write without grammatical errors and to follow proper mechanics. An advanced vocabulary also earns points. This category sometimes overlaps with Organization.

Now, let’s put together a strategy for putting yourself in the best position possible to receive a top score, and to utilize the 40 minutes in the most efficient way possible.

Step 1: Spend 5-10 minutes planning and creating an outline

Prior to the exam, it’s helpful to keep yourself updated with current issues. Almost all previous ACT essay prompts were involved with a controversial topic, political debate, social issue, or related topic. This example is based on the current ACT essay practice prompt, Intelligent Machines .

First, note the question at hand . For example:

Automation is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what is lost when we replace humans with machines?

Then, review each perspective . Note that Perspective One is against the evolution of automation; in other words, the perspective is considered a con. Perspective Two supports automation due to the argument of efficiency. Perspective Three is also pro-automation, although it provides a much different idea compared to the other perspectives.

Now, you have to think: what’s your stance ? Do you support the advancement of automation? Why or why not? A good outline will connect your own ideas with at least one perspective, based on your stance. In the example essay, the writer agrees that automation is beneficial for humanity. Make a comment on each perspective to give yourself a head start. An example outline looks like this:

Perspective One

It is somewhat true that automation impacts people’s behavior negatively due to high expectations for speed of service and efficiency. Computers generally minimize the risk of error, and when humans make mistakes, people become impatient. However, this supports the idea that jobs that can be easily automated should not be done manually.

Perspective Two

Efficiency is extremely important in providing numerous services, such as ordering food from digital menus instead of talking to a person. Efficiency also reduces the costs of items, such as automobiles, which benefits the consumer.

Perspective Three

Modern automation is certainly unprecedented. it allows us to develop infrastructure and life-saving products quickly, grow food faster, and more. This frees up time for humans to pursue other interests, allowing culture to evolve in ways we could not fathom.

Once you’ve thought about each perspective and written down some notes, you’ll be ready to write your thesis statement.

Step 2: Write your thesis statement

Having a strong thesis statement sets the precedent for your body paragraphs and conclusion, while also adhering to every scoring criterion. Since you agree with the idea that automation provides a net benefit for humanity, your thesis needs to be clear on why and how, while also acknowledging the other side of the debate. By doing so, you set your paragraphs up for promoting productive arguments and evidence.

A thesis statement is included in the example essay:

While some argue that machines negatively impact humanity, the overall contribution of automation has resulted in additional productivity, a higher quality of life, and a more prosperous and progressive world for everyone.

Note that the beginning of the statement acknowledges the other side of the issue, followed by two reasons why you believe automation is beneficial. Each reason guides the rest of your essay, with the first reason being the topic of your first paragraph, the second reason the topic of your second paragraph, and the concluding thought – that automation will lead to a more prosperous and progressive world for everyone – the basis for your concluding paragraph.

As part of your introductory paragraph, you shouldn’t jump immediately to the thesis statement. In terms of Organization and essay structure, you are required to provide a lead-in to the thesis, also known as a bridge. This can be a general statement acknowledging your stance; in our example, we provide examples of automated technology that has improved everyday life for humanity. The lead-in to the thesis is not meant to be long, so keep it at one to three sentences maximum.

Also, ensure your thesis either rejects a perspective, agrees with a perspective, or provides an alternative. The example thesis agrees with two-thirds of the perspectives while acknowledging the negative Perspective One and promoting a counterexample to support automation.

Step 3: Ensure your body paragraphs analyze the perspectives while supporting your thesis statement

Remember, your thesis statement is technically your argument, so if you’re supporting the development of automation, the language in your body paragraphs should not be contradictory. Let’s say you disagree with Perspective One; the language in your paragraph should acknowledge the stance of the perspective with supporting facts, while turning it around to provide a counterargument. Since you’re limited on time, you may not be able to write a paragraph for each perspective, so you can merge two perspectives into one paragraph as long as you provide supporting evidence that will contribute to your argument.

Some methods of supporting your argument include:

• Anecdotal claims – Using the word “I” to use personal experience to support or critique the stance of a perspective
• Statistics – The statistics don’t have to be true, as you won’t have access to source material to confirm anything you say. However, you should be familiar with how the conclusions of statistics or research outcomes are written and put this information into your own words.
• Worldview – The prompt and perspectives are not fully rounded ideas, and you are encouraged to argue a completely different perspective in order to show that the criticisms or support for an idea are not fully developed.

The concluding sentence of each body paragraph should provide a transition into the next paragraph or conclusion.

Step 4: Write a conclusion that recapitulates your thesis statement and topic of your body paragraphs

Like any argumentative or expository essay, you need to provide a conclusion. In essence, the conclusion is a restatement of your thesis while including a reference to the main point of your body paragraphs. Similar to your introductory paragraph, the conclusion should begin with a statement that acknowledges the nature of the prompt.

Writing tips:

• Aim for at least 2-3 pages of writing.
• Brush up on your vocabulary – high-level words (when used correctly and appropriately) increase your score and add credibility to your reasoning.
• Don’t stretch out a single idea; doing so often leads to redundancy, which takes away from your argument.
• Planning is important. You might feel that 40 minutes isn’t enough time to write, but spending one-fourth of that time on planning will give you direction on your writing and time to…
• Make sure to spend a few minutes after you’ve finished to review your writing for any errors.

Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.

Example essays:

There are ACT essay two examples linked here :

• ACT Essay Example: Job Changes
• ACT Essay Example: Intelligent Machines  

Published September 1, 2020.

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How to Write a Top-Scoring ACT Essay

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Editor's Note: The following article is a guest post by Kristin at Magoosh. It originally appeared on the Magoosh high school blog .

Prepping for the ACT and determined to achieve the highest score possible? With a little help from useful tools and resources like an ACT study guide , you can. But are you interested in raising your ACT essay score in particular? Well, you're in luck, because in this post we review the top two tips for an essay that is going to knock the socks off the graders.

To do that, you need to remember that your graders are human beings. They are reading lots and lots of essays. And a lot of them start to sound alike. So if you are shooting for a good score on the essay, all you really need to do is write a clear, argumentative thesis, address all three of the required perspectives, include good examples, and have a coherent structure.

But if you want a GREAT score, you need to stand out from the crowd. Here's how you can do it:

1. Use less obvious examples in your ACT essay.

On the first new essay, a lot of students wrote about the civil rights movement. It was an obvious example that a lot of students had studied, and it was certainly the first thing that jumped to my mind as well. Now, technically, graders are not supposed to be punishing you for an unoriginal example as long as you do it well. But remember the golden rule: write for a human reader! If a grader reads 50 essays about the civil rights movement in a row and then gets to yours and you are writing about something totally different, the grader is going to sit up and pay attention. Not only that, but it will also be more difficult to compare your essay to others. If you write about the same topic as everyone else, it is likely that some people won't do it as well as you, but others will do it better. So try not to open yourself to these comparisons. Be original.

Again, this doesn't mean that you can't write about a common topic, but if you are going to do it, make sure you pick very specific examples within that topic to demonstrate your knowledge. But if you can think of something that would be less obvious, go that route.

2. Choose the option to provide your own perspective on the ACT essay, but only switch it up slightly.

Now, this is tricky. You can get a perfect score simply by completely agreeing with one of the three presented perspectives, and for the vast majority of students, this is the best course of action to make sure you don't go completely off track and end up hurting your score. However, if you consider yourself to be a very strong writer, you might be able to truly impress by adding your own twist on the prompt. In most cases, the easiest way to do this is to narrow the scope of one of the perspectives. For example, if you look at sample essay #5 on act.org, you'll see that the graders applauded the student for evaluating the perspectives through the "lens of a particular ideology": capitalism. Here's an excerpt of the score explanation:

The prompt is about a larger issue—the positive or negative impact of "intelligent machines" in our society—but this student has narrowed the scope and, in doing so, was able to provide a specific compelling argument that didn't try to address all areas of life in a five-paragraph essay.

So for you ACT-writing superstars out there who are looking for a score in the 11–12 range, take these key tips to heart, and get practicing with ACT writing prompts. The new ACT essay prompt is tough, but practicing with sample prompts and coming up with arguments on the fly will help! Practice the essay on its own, and then graduate to an ACT Practice Test to simulate the test-day experience.

About the Author

Kristin makes sure Magoosh's sites are full of awesome, free resources that can be found by students prepping for standardized tests. With a PhD from UC Irvine and degrees in Education and English, she's been working in education since 2004 and has helped students prepare for standardized tests, as well as college and graduate school admissions, since 2007. She enjoys the agony and bliss of trail running, backpacking, hot yoga, and esoteric knowledge.

Image source: tookapic/Pixabay.com

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ACT Writing Prompts: The Complete Guide

ACT Writing

It's pretty scary to walk into a room on ACT test day and with no idea what the essay question you're about to answer is about. Luckily, you don't need to know—the ACT essay prompts only ask about a teensy, tiny category of ideas. And the best part is, you already know all about the topics!

Keep reading to see sample ACT Writing prompts you can practice with. More importantly, we also teach you how to gather evidence before the test so you can walk in 100% prepared to answer any prompt they give you.

5 Sample ACT Essay Prompts

The idea behind the ACT essay is that it's a fair test of everyone's writing ability because nobody knows the topic or question before the test. In order for this to be true, the ACT actually has to choose from a pretty small sliver of questions (since the topics must be broad enough that all test takers can write about them).

ACT Inc. only offers one example prompt , on intelligent machines, though you can see others included with the official ACT practice tests .

Here are four other sample prompts that I've constructed, based on the core question and core perspectives extracted from the official prompts. What common features do you notice between all the prompts?

Globalization

Many of the goods and services we depend on daily have global sources. Where once you might speak with a customer service representative from across the country about your computer problems, your call now would most likely be routed across the world. In one grocery store, it can be possible to find a mixture of foods from multiple continents. Various pieces of culture can be instantaneously broadcast around the world via the Internet, enabling shared experiences among people of disparate geographic origins. Globalization is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what happens when we replace local interactions with global ones? Given the accelerating rate of globalization, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of its presence in our lives. Perspective One : Globalization requires a shift in the way we think about other people, other societies, and the world. This is good, because it will push humanity towards previously unimaginable possibilities and achievements. Perspective Two : Removing geographic boundaries from commerce means that the right people can be chosen for the right jobs at the right price. This efficiency leads to a more prosperous and progressive world for everyone. Perspective Three : The flourishing of a new, global society comes at the cost of local cultures. Less diversity leads to deficits in empathy and creativity, two of the most defining characteristics of humanity. Write a unified, coherent essay about the increasing presence of globalization.

Information Accessibility

At this moment in time, there is more information more readily available to more people than ever before. Smartphones can instantly provide directions to your destination, when even 10 years ago you had to look up directions before you left and/or bring along a map. Researchers from all over the world are able to pool their knowledge to advance their fields more quickly. Many libraries have broadened their collections to include subscriptions to online/electronic databases as well as printed works. Greater access to information is generally seen as a positive advance, but what are the consequences of making so much knowledge available to so many people? Based upon the ever-increasing amount of information in the world and the ever-broader access to it, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of easy access to information in our lives. Perspective One : With increased ease of access to information, we lose the incentive to gain knowledge ourselves. By outsourcing our memories of facts and other information, we are becoming less intelligent. Perspective Two : Greater access to information allows us to avoid memorizing facts and, instead, use our brains for higher-level thinking. This efficiency leads to a more prosperous and progressive world for everyone. Perspective Three : The more people who have access to more information, the greater the chances of collaboration and thus further advances in human knowledge. This is good because it pushes us toward new, unimagined possibilities. Write a unified, coherent essay about the increasing accessibility of information.

In the world today, newness is highly valued. Social media apps constantly update to make sure you’re shown the newest information or posts from those you follow. Many of the products we purchase today are purposefully created with short lifespans to encourage consumers to continue to get the newest, up-to-date versions. Subscription services for music and video make it possible to continuously listen to and watch new media. Novelty is generally seen as a positive characteristic, but what are we losing by constantly focusing on the new? Given its increasing prevalence, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of the growing emphasis on novelty in our lives. Perspective One : Change is the only constant in life, and to ignore this is to grow rigid and stagnate. More exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking can only lead to progress for society and for humanity as a whole. Perspective Two : By exclusively focusing on the new, we lose sight of what we already know. Instead of ignoring the old, we should be focusing more on past accomplishments and errors. The only way to move forward is to heed the lessons of the past. Perspective Three : Information, products, and ways of thinking should only be valued if they are useful and reliable, not just because they are new and exciting. New does not automatically equal improved. Write a unified, coherent essay about the increasing value assigned to novelty.

Job Changes

Fewer and fewer people are staying with the same job their entire lives. In the United States, the average person will switch jobs more than 10 times in over the course of his/her life. Some workers will make lateral, or even downward, moves in order to increase personal fulfillment. Others switch jobs in an effort to obtain the highest possible salary. Increasing personal autonomy is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what happens when length of experience is replaced with variety of experience? As the number of jobs people will hold over the course of their lives continues to climb, it is important to examine the implications and meaning of this trend for our lives. Perspective One : Because jobs are no longer a lifetime commitment, people will feel freer to accept a greater variety of positions. This increase in breadth of experience will in turn make job applicants more attractive to future employers. Perspective Two : As the frequency with which people change jobs increases, the loyalty of people to their employers will decrease. This in turn will lead to more fractured company cultures, as employees will only care about what’s best for them. Perspective Three : The disappearance of the stigma associated with frequent job switching will allow employees more leeway with employment decisions. Increased autonomy will lead to increased happiness and job satisfaction. Write a unified, coherent essay about the increasing frequency with which people switch jobs.

For additional Writing Prompts to practice with, you also might want to consider purchasing the most recent Official ACT Prep Guide , which includes five additional official essay prompts.

While you'll see many different topics asked about on the ACT essay section, there is in fact only one ACT Writing Prompt (and three types of perspectives) you have to know. We call these the Core Question and Core Perspectives . This question (and these perspectives) will run through each and every ACT Essay prompt you'll get.

The Reasoning Behind The Core Question

As you can see, all the ACT writing prompts are about how the world (and the people in it) is (are) changing. All of them boil down to the following question:

"What are your views on how humans are changing the world?"

or, even more broadly,

"What do you think about the way the world is changing?"

The ACT frames its prompts this way because ACT, Inc. wants to choose essay topics that all students can have an opinion on, rather than asking about something extremely specific for which some students are more prepared than others.

First Global Image from VIIRS by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center , used under CC BY 2.0 /Resized from original.

Read through the official prompts again (above). Rather than asking about high school life (as the old ACT Writing prompts did), the current ACT essay prompts ask students to consider how changes in the world today affect all humanity, forcing the students to place the issue in a broader context .

While the topics may appear to be highly specific at first glance (e.g. "intelligent machines"), the explanatory paragraphs for each prompt make it clear that the topics can be parlayed in a number of different directions (and be accessible to most people) .

There won't be prompts about issues that mainly affect urban dwellers (e.g. subways), or only affect certain geographic areas (e.g. snow preparedness). Similarly, something like "smartphones," for instance, would never be a topic on its own; rather, it would be an example that could be used for the topic (as with the "intelligent machines" prompt).

When writing the ACT essay, it really helps to have strong opinions about the core question ("What do you think about the way humans are changing the world?"), but if you don't, no problem: it's easy to develop opinions! And we're here to give you a head start.

In the next section, we're going to give you three basic opinions related to the core ACT essay question. We'll show you how to apply these perspectives to specific prompts and tell you where you can find examples to support them.

The Reasoning Behind The Core Perspectives

The new ACT prompt has three different perspectives that you need to discuss during the course of your essay. To figure out the three core perspectives, I read and re-read the perspectives for all three of the official prompts, considering them in light of the informational paragraphs that preceded them. I ended up with these three basic opinions:

Core Perspective A : The changes caused by [Prompt topic] are not good and have negative results.

This perspective maps onto Perspective 1 of the first official ACT sample prompt above, Perspective 2 of the second and fourth official sample prompts, and Perspective 1 of the third official sample prompt. My nickname for this position is "conservatism," since this perspective wishes to be conservative and not change things.

Core Perspective B : The changes caused by [Prompt topic] will lead to greater (in)efficiency.

This perspective maps onto Perspective 2 of the first and third official ACT sample prompts above, Perspective 1 of the second official sample prompt, and Perspective 3 of the fourth official sample prompt. My nickname for this position is "utilitarianism," since this perspective is all about what will be more practical and lead to the greatest good for the greatest number of people (this is even explicitly spelled out in Perspective 1 of the second official sample prompt).

Core Perspective C : The changes caused by [Prompt topic] will yield positive future results because it will lead to improvements for all humanity.

This perspective maps onto Perspective 3 of the first and second official ACT sample prompts, Perspective 1 of the third official sample prompt, and Perspective 2 of the fourth official sample prompt. My nickname for this position is "progressivism," since this perspective argues that change = progress = good.

Building a Support Bank

Now you know that the ACT essay will only ever ask you to discuss one question: "How is the world changing?" If you prepare for this question with diverse evidence before the test, you'll be ready to answer the prompt no matter what it is.

To give yourself the most time to write and organize your argument, your thesis should match up with one of the three perspectives given (or at least take elements from one)—that way, you won't have to take the time to come up with a fourth, completely new perspective and compare it to at least one other perspective.

But it gets better! The internet (and society in general) is chock-full of theories and arguments about how the world is changing, and whether or not that's a good thing. All you have to do is read up on some of them and develop your own opinions.

Opinions on the World

Your ACT essay thesis should basically be one of the three perspectives, but you have to support that opinion with evidence—the answer to the question "why?" (or "why not"?). Look over these sets of three opinions and try to think of reasons or examples to support each.

The world is changing to be worse than it was before. (because...)

The world is changing to be better than it was before. (because...)

The world is changing to be more (in)efficient than ever before. (because...)

Research and Brainstorming Ideas

Unlike with the SAT essay, you can use abstract reasoning to develop your point on the ACT. This means that you don't necessarily have to come to the test pre-loaded with specific examples: if you can't think of a concrete example that will support your point, you can make one up as you go along while constructing your argument.

Below are a few sample internet resources that could serve as support (or brainstorming assistance) for the opinions above. You can use the general ideas from these resources, but you may also find some useful specific examples for when you face your real ACT Writing prompt.

News sources such as the New York Times , Washington Post , LA Times , Al Jazeera , Time , The Atlantic, Slate, The Economist, Wired, New York Magazine, Popular Science, Psychology Today, Vox, Mic , and even Buzzfeed News will have information about current events that you can use.

If you prefer listening/watching the news, you can always try that as a source of current events information as well watching or listening to television, radio, or podcasts .

How Do I Use This Article?

Just knowing what the ACT Writing prompts are likely to be about may lead you to think about the way you interact with the world somewhat differently. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for anything that could be fodder to answer a question about the way the world is changing—anything you learn about in history/social studies, read/hear about in the news, or even encounter in a futuristic novel can be added to your support bank.

But, of course, the more effective way to use the information in this article is to practice both planning and writing ACT essays. We have another article with ACT essay tips , which can give you more information on how to practice the actual writing process, but knowing about the prompt types can get you thinking about your own opinions on how the world is changing. After all, you're being asked about this because you have a lot of experience with it, living in the world as you do.

So, using the prompts at the beginning of this article, or another group of questions about issues having to do with change (some items on this list of debate topics , for example), start planning hypothetical writing ACT essay responses. Try reading our step-by-step ACT essay example if you're stumped about where to begin.

For each issue, planning involves picking a side, supporting it with one to two reasons or examples, and deciding how to discuss at least one other perspective in relation to the one you've picked (including arguments both for and against that other perspective).

If you really want to max out your ACT essay score, you should practice planning essays about how the world is changing until you can do it in 8-10 minutes reliably. If you're curious about where that 8-10 minute estimate comes from, check out our ACT essay tips article .

What's Next?

Check out our comprehensive collection of ACT Writing guides , including a detailed analysis of  the ACT Writing Rubric that includes explanations and strategies and our explanation of the differences between the old and new ACT Writing Test .

Find out how to get a perfect score on ACT Writing.

Follow along as I construct a top-scoring essay step-by-step , or check out our list of tips to raise your ACT Writing score.

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Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel in high school.

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Should You Take the ACT With or Without Writing

Wondering if the ACT writing test is for you? You're not alone. Taking the ACT with writing can give you an edge in college admissions by showcasing your writing skills and adding depth to your college applications with a special ELA score (English language arts). Let's explore the ins and outs of the ACT Writing Test to help you make an informed decision. 

What is the ACT Writing Test?

The ACT writing test is an optional 40-minute essay that comes after the main ACT exam. It's designed to measure your writing skills — skills you've been honing in high school and will need in college. 

You'll get a prompt with a complex issue and three perspectives. Your job? Craft your own viewpoint and analyze how it relates to the given perspectives. 

Your writing sample will be evaluated on these four components:  

Ideas and Analysis

Show you understand the issue and can generate relevant ideas.

Development and Support

Back up your argument with solid reasoning.

Organization

Structure your essay clearly to guide the reader through your argument.  

Language Use and Conventions

Use clear, effective language that resonates with your audience.  

The writing test complements the English and reading tests, offering colleges a fuller picture of your skills. 

Is the Writing Portion of the ACT Required?

The ACT writing test is optional, but some colleges and school districts do require it, so do your homework. Check the requirements for your target schools and your district's graduation policy. 

What is the Difference Between Taking the ACT with Writing vs. Without Writing?

Taking the ACT with writing won't affect your Composite score, but it does add an English Language Arts (ELA) score to your report. Opting out means you'll miss out on this additional score. Learn more about ACT writing scores . 

Why You Should Take the ACT With Writing

The ACT with writing offers a unique platform to articulate your thoughts and viewpoints, and it's a chance to go beyond grades and scores, allowing you to connect with admissions officers on an intellectual level. Whether you're set on a dream school or still charting your course, the ACT writing test is a valuable tool in your college application toolkit. Here are a few more factors to consider:  

1. Your School or State Requires It

Some colleges, highs schools, and states require the ACT writing test. Check this early on to avoid surprises. 

2. You Want Your Application to Stand Out

A strong writing score can make your application more competitive. It's a chance to showcase your logical reasoning skills. 

3. Your Grades in English or Language Arts Aren’t the Best

If your grades in English or language arts courses are not stellar, a high score on the ACT writing test can help balance your academic profile. 

4. You Aren’t Sure Where You Want to Apply Yet

If you're still exploring your options, taking the ACT with writing keeps all doors open, as some colleges may require it. 

Why Take the ACT Without Writing

If none of the above reasons apply to you, and if none of your target schools require the ACT writing test, you might opt to take the ACT without writing. This can also save you time and reduce test-day stress.

How To Prepare for the ACT Writing Test

Crafting a standout ACT essay is all about strategy and focus. Allocate time for planning, writing, and reviewing. Understand the prompt and use optional planning questions to guide your thoughts. Keep your argument focused and support it with sound reasoning. Before submitting, review your essay for clarity and accuracy.  

By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to writing an essay that not only showcases your writing skills but also makes your college application stand out.  

Resources to Help You Prepare for the ACT Writing Test

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