The ACT Essay Overview

The ACT Essay

General Overview

General Factoids about the ACT Essay

• Only the ACT Plus Writing has the essay (Note: The ACT is offered without the essay portion. The ACT recommends that students determine whether or not to take the writing test based on the requirements or recommendations of the colleges to which they plan to apply.)

• The essay is written AFTER the four multiple-choice tests. (Total testing time of the four multiple choice sections = 2 hours and 15 minutes)

• The essay must be written in English. • The essay does not affect the score on the multiple

choice tests or the composite score of the multiple choice sections.

Students who take the ACT Plus Writing will receive TWO

additional scores: a Combined English/Writing score (scored on a scale of 1 through 36) and a Writing

(essay) subscore (scored on a scale of 2 through 12).

Scoring Information

Scored

holistically

Read by two trained

readers

Range of scores—1 (low) to 6

(high)

Sum of the two scores

= the Writing

Subscore

Read by a third reader if the two readers disagree by

more than one point

More on the English/Writing Score

The 45-minute

multiple choice

English test

The 30-minute essay

The English/ Writing Score

(scored on a scale of 1 to

36)

Counts as 2/3

Counts as 1/3

What Does the English MC Test Measure?

-punctuation

-grammar and usage

-sentence structure

Conventions of standard

written English

-strategy

-organization

-style

Rhetorical skills

Essay Evaluation Criteria

Express judgments by taking a position on the

issue in the writing prompt

Maintain a focus on the topic throughout the

essay

Develop a position by using logical reasoning and by supporting their

ideas

Organize ideas in a logical way

Use language clearly and effectively

according to the conventions of standard

written English

“The combined result from both tests will provide

information about students’ ability to make revising and

editing decisions in a multiple-choice setting and their ability

to produce a direct writing sample.”

--From Educator’s Guide to the ACT Writing Test

More Essay Factoids

• Time—30 minutes total

• Purpose—measure writing skills specifically those emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses

• Format—One prompt that will define an issue and describe two points of view on the issue

Unique Essay Factoid

• The score report will include comments about the essay

• One reader will assign comments appropriate for the writing skills demonstrated in the essay

• The number of comments will range between one and four, and may include positive and/or constructive comments about the student’s writing

Purpose of the Comments

“To help students learn to better assess their own writing skills and to recognize strengths in their writing as well as areas upon which to focus for improvement.”

--From Educator’s Guide to the ACT Writing Test

A full list of the possible comments

is included on the wiki.

Students’ Point of View

The point of view students take on the

issue will NOT affect the score

They can adopt either of the perspectives

described in the prompt OR present a different

point of view on the issue

Prompt Features • Designed with the time limit in mind

• Designed to reflect students’ interests and experiences

• Provides blank lined space—nearly four full pages!

• Not read aloud to students

• Provides unlined space in the test booklet for prewriting (not scored)

• Must be in pencil

• Encouraged NOT to skip lines

• Not to write in the margins

• Allowed to make corrections and additions “neatly” between the lines of the essay

• Warned to write legibly since illegible essays will NOT be scored

Sample Prompt At some high schools, teachers have considered allowing each

student to choose the books he or she will read for English class rather than requiring all students in class to read the same books. Some teachers support such a policy because they think students will greatly improve their reading skills if they read books they find interesting. Other teachers do not support such a policy because they think that students will learn more by participating in class discussions with others who have read the same books. In your opinion, should each individual student be allowed to choose the books he or she reads for English class?

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.