How to Write an ACT Essay (Students Guidance)
Currently, few schools have made it a requirement for students to take the ACT essay. However, it is always advisable to take it because one might find themselves in a school that requires you to take one. Conversely, writing an ACT essay is not rocket science primarily because it is possible to plan and prepare beforehand. It is, therefore, possible to write a high-scoring ACT essay and be accepted at whichever school you are seeking entry.
How to start an ACT essay
Like any other essay, ACT essays require planning and practice. It is essential to arrange your thoughts first before delving into the writing process. People who start the writing process before arranging their thoughts often find it difficult to compile a persuasive and moving essay within the standard 40 minutes. ACT essays need to be organized, and the ideas need to be developed logically. The points or arguments should also be adequately and appropriately developed and supported. While the above might seem direct and obvious, it can and sometimes it presents writers with problems. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the following tips when starting an ACT essay:
- Understand the prompt and develop appropriate points. The starting point of every essay must be to read and develop a clear and precise comprehension of the question. It is possible to write a good ACT essay but miss the point entirely. The above is because of interpreting the question wrongly. Therefore, in the 40 minutes, take 5 to ten minutes to read, understand, and develop your arguments before you start the writing process.
- Develop a thesis statement for the paper. A thesis is an essay’s main argument. After understanding the question or prompt, the next step involves developing a working thesis which will be reflected in the entire essay. Here, a writer needs to come up with a perspective to the prompt and from it develop supporting arguments.
- Remember to state your stance on the given prompt precisely. If the writer’s stance or opinion on the subject under study is needed, the writer should make sure it is clearly outlined and easily identifiable. The introduction of an ACT essay matters a lot and clarity is often highly regarded and rewarded.
How to write body paragraphs for an ACT essay
ACT essay writing is not any different to any to other types of essay writing. It follows almost the same standards and the structure is the same. Students are therefore supposed to have an introduction, a body section, and finally a conclusion. In the body, as it is with all other essays, writers are expected to provide supporting arguments which enhance the flow of the essay and also makes it easy for the audience to understand the perspective of the writer. Therefore, to understand how to write a good ACT essay, consider the following tips or points to help you write the body section:
- Use topic sentences to reveal your arguments or perspectives. Your audience should not struggle to understand or find the main arguments. Writers should always have them as the first sentence and use the other sentences as the supporting sentences.
- Always start with the opposing side or arguments. It is always advisable to start with your opposing arguments. However, remember to explain the reasons why you do not agree with these arguments.
- Conclude the body section by outlining your or argument or position or perspective to the prompt. Explain your position clearly and also include illustrations or examples which support your argument or position.
How to conclude an ACT essay
One of the most crucial points people come across when they are looking for tips on ACT essay writing is that the introduction and the conclusion are the most important sections. ACT instructors often get a little time to go through the many essays and therefore, most of them take their time reading the introduction and conclusion keenly. Through these two sections, they can determine whether a student did a good job or failed even to understand the question. Below, therefore, are tips to help you write a good conclusion for an ACT essay:
- Restate your essay’s thesis as well as the supporting arguments you included in the essay.
- Leave the audience with a final and central thought on the topic under review.
ACT essay writing optimization
- Plan your essay. Organize your thoughts and arguments before you embark on the writing process.
- Take time to evaluate and analyze the outlined perspectives. Do not rush to select a perspective to write about. However, it is important to assess each individually before choosing one.
- Use language that enhances or enriches your argument. The choice of words also matters greatly. Writers should choose words precisely and skillfully. Additionally, the sentence structures should be clear and consistently present the ideas of the writer.
Outline example for an ACT essay
Topic: Corporate Responsibility
Prompt: Large corporations make up some of the wealthiest entities in the world today. Some see these corporations as engines of economic development and progress, bringing better products at better prices to a wider range of people every day. Others, however, criticize corporations for their shortcomings when it comes to social responsibility: failing to assist the less fortunate in our society, including their workers, while focusing too narrowly on profits at the expense of social welfare. Should corporations do more than simply aim to improve their profit margins? Is it important for large corporations to set aside profits from time to time in order to donate to charities and to help the needy?
Perspectives
Perspective 1
Corporations have only one responsibility: to make the greatest profit they possibly can. It is only by doing so that they can benefit their workers, shareholders, and society.
Perspective 2
Profits often get in the way of doing the right thing. Large corporations should focus less on profits and more on developing meaningful ways of helping the disadvantaged.
Perspective 3
It is important that corporations adhere to any and all laws that pertain to them. Beyond this, however, they are free to do as they please.
Write a unified, coherent essay in which you evaluate multiple perspectives on corporate responsibility.
Outline
Introduction
- Thesis statement and stance on the issue: while it is important for corporations to make profits, there needs to be order and it is only by focusing less on that which we think matters most that we often achieve our potential. Corporations should, therefore, seek to help the community more and as evidence suggests, people always respond in kind by offering their sweat diligently and loyally.
Body Section
- Perspective 1: it is true that by making huge profits corporations are at a better position to have a greater influence in the society.
Order, however, needs to be maintained especially because corporations are at times at fault of making profits at the expense of people.
- Perspective 2: the law has loopholes and some work to the advantage of the corporations.
While it might seem logical to consider this option, there will be chaos in the long-run and other parties, especially workers will be at risk.
- Perspective 3: focusing on profits hides the bigger picture from the corporations which is to do good.
As corporations do good by their employees, the society, and environment, the same will be done to them and profits will indeed skyrocket.
Conclusion
- Restate the thesis statement and provide a summary of the main arguments.
- End with an interesting statement that leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
