ACT Essay - specific examples

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1

Hi everyone

I’ve read that the ACT graders love when you provide specific examples to strengthen your point of view.
I’ve done a little research and read many previous ACT and SAT essays to see what they consider as precise examples. All of the top essays were full of examples with American history and American people. And that’s my problem: I’m from Switzerland and do not know enough about the US history nor about many influential people to support any of my statements in an essay.

Could I also use Swiss people and Switzerland’s history to strengthen my statements? Even though they grader probably (or certainly!) won’t have heard anything about it/them?

2

Moreover, can I also use examples from German novels?

3

Unfortunately, looking at old tests will not help you much for the September writing.

The new prompt presents conversations around contemporary issues.
http://www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/

I do not think a lack of US history knowledge specifically will hurt you on the test.

4

Thanks for your help!

I’m aware of the fact that the prompt has changed; nevertheless, I wanted to get a feeling of a “typical high school student’s” essay.