3 ACT Writing Prompts to Improve Your Score | Writing for ACT PDF Download

ACT Practice Writing Prompts

ACT Practice Writing Prompts

Prompt 1

• Topic: Intelligent Machines
• Prompt: Society increasingly relies on intelligent machines for daily goods and services, shifting from human labor to automation across various sectors.
• Perspective 1:
  • Loss of Humanity: Interactions with machines diminish our ability to express basic human qualities like courtesy and respect in everyday encounters.
• Perspective 2:
  • Efficiency and Progress: Machines excel at repetitive tasks and precision, contributing to a more prosperous and advanced society overall.

Public Health and Individual Freedom

• Introduction:
  • Desires Conflict: People generally want to be healthy and have maximum freedom to pursue their desires. However, these aspirations can clash.
• Examples of Conflicts:
  • Smoking Restrictions: Laws prohibiting smoking in public places illustrate a limitation on individual freedom to safeguard the health of others.
  • Regulation of Car Emissions: Rules governing car emissions aim to diminish pollution and its health hazards, despite restricting individuals' freedom to drive specific vehicles.
• Balance between Health and Freedom:
  • Societal Dilemma: In a society valuing both health and freedom, finding a harmonious equilibrium is crucial.
• Approaches to Conflicts:
  • Value Reflection: How should we contemplate clashes between public health interests and individual liberties?
• Topic: Perspectives on Society and Freedom
  • Perspective One: Society should prioritize the greatest good for the majority. Individual freedom may need restrictions in such cases.
  • Perspective Two: Freedom is paramount in society. While limiting freedom may enhance physical health in some instances, the negative impact on our society's liberty outweighs the benefits.
  • Perspective Three: The freedom to avoid health risks is essential. When individual actions jeopardize others, both freedom and health suffer.
• How to Interpret the Prompt
  • To excel in your essay, express your personal stance and engage with at least one perspective. Consider how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the discourse around public health versus freedom, showcasing the importance of staying informed for effective argumentation.
• Topic: Adult Engagement with Children's Entertainment
  • Kid Stuff Evolution: Traditionally considered for children, toys and entertainment have appealed to adults in modern times. Grown-ups now engage in activities like playing video games, watching animated content, collecting figurines, and reading comics for personal pleasure.
  • Perception of Immaturity: Is adults enjoying children's entertainment a reflection of immaturity? Explore how interacting with kid-oriented content impacts adults' understanding of today's youth.
  • Implications of Adult Engagement: The rising popularity of toys, games, and publications originally meant for children among adults raises questions about the consequences and significance of this cultural shift.
• Perspective One: It is beneficial for adults to have an understanding of children's interests as this enables them to connect better with children and cater to their needs effectively.
• Perspective Two: Adults should demonstrate maturity and responsibility to serve as role models for children, as acting like children themselves can leave kids without proper guidance.
• Perspective Three: Children require their own cultural space, including books, toys, and movies, to foster their creativity and explore their own ideas independently. When adults encroach upon this space, children's opportunities for self-discovery diminish.

Approaching the Prompt

• This prompt challenges individuals to consider the impact of adults engaging with children's toys and whether this interaction yields positive or negative outcomes.
• Given the limited availability of extensive data on this topic, individuals can draw upon personal experiences from childhood or adulthood involving interactions with "kid's toys" as supporting evidence for their arguments.
• To craft a compelling essay, it is crucial to examine all three perspectives presented and anticipate counterarguments for each viewpoint. By effectively addressing opposing views, one can strengthen the overall argument presented.
• Ensuring a clear and logical organization of thoughts in well-structured paragraphs is essential for enhancing the coherence and persuasiveness of the essay.

Tips for Writing a Strong ACT Essay

While predicting the precise essay prompt you'll encounter during the exam is impossible, you can certainly equip yourself with skills to compose a strong essay within the allotted time. Here are some key tips to enhance your essay-writing proficiency:

Practice Diligently:

• Regular practice is paramount. Utilize sample prompts to draft essays and time yourself to gauge your pacing. Effective time management is crucial, so practice helps you allocate sufficient time for each step. Prioritize creating a basic outline before diving into writing to ensure coherence in your essay.

Strategize Your Approach:

• As you practice, identify if you tend to align more with one perspective over others. Leverage this insight on test day by focusing on the viewpoint you resonate with the most. Address opposing perspectives concisely, dedicating a paragraph to why you disagree. A clear strategy minimizes the challenge of constructing your essay within the 40-minute timeframe.

Balance Grammar and Content:

• While grammar is essential, it shouldn't overshadow your essay's substance. Allocate your time wisely; prioritize addressing key points and presenting a cohesive, well-argued essay that demonstrates critical thinking. Similarly, don't dwell on enhancing vocabulary mid-writing. Focus on refining your language only after crafting a coherent essay.

Stay Informed:

• Remain updated on current affairs beyond social media sources. Research indicates that social media users may be less informed and engaged. Stay abreast of current events to develop well-informed opinions for your essay. Informed opinions supported by factual evidence are more likely to earn higher scores. Additionally, having a basic understanding of historical events is crucial. Prompts may reference historical contexts, necessitating knowledge of events like World War I, the Civil War, or the civil rights movement.