ACT Essay Dos & Don'ts Video

How many "perspectives" are included in the ACT writing prompt?

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

True or false? You should repeat your ideas often, rather than developing them.

• True

• False

What is the most effective way to DEVELOP YOUR ARGUMENT in response to an ACT writing prompt?

• Mention each perspective, but expand on them in an ORIGINAL way

• Choose ONE of the perspectives and say why you AGREE with it

• Prove why ALL of the perspectives are WRONG

• Repeat all of the ideas in the prompt, but in your OWN words

Why is it a bad idea to simply devote a paragraph to each perspective?

• You end up with a plagiarized essay.

• It's more important to synthesize all of the perspectives into one cohesive idea.

• This is actually a great way to structure the essay.

• One paragraph won't be enough to fully summarize each perspective.

Why is "Proposing a Clear, Original Argument" a DO for this essay?

• Simply agreeing with each perspective is sufficient.

• Everything that is important about the topic has already been stated in the prompt.

• The essay scorers want to be interested in and convinced by your perspective.

Why are CONCRETE EXAMPLES important in this essay?

• They help you a develop a thesis and a logical argument that is cohesive.

• A long list of concrete examples will automatically make your argument stronger.

• Even examples that are loosely connected to your argument will be scored highly.

• All of the evidence you use has to be 100% factual.