<p>I was reading the sample "6" essay and found it very very informal. Coming from the SAT, I'm surprised that this is the type of essay they are looking for. Those who have taken the ACT before - is this school uniform essay representative of what they look for in a 12? If so, it would seem like getting a 12 is a lot easier than getting one on the SAT...</p>
<p>Also, is the 5-paragraph structure frowned upon? Here, the writer states her view in the 2nd paragraph of her 2 paragraph intro. Can I just come out and state my argument in the first paragraph if I were to use the 5 para structure, or should I build up a little more?</p>
<p>Using a 5 paragraph with the thesis, stance, etc. in the intro will help you. I don't know if you're using the Real Act book, but if you look at essay five he states the three things he will talk about, sort of as an informal thesis, and they said that was a good point.</p>
<p>I usuallly write my essay in this general format:</p>
<p>Intro</p>
<p>Paragraph 1: Opposing Viewpoint and counter that.. and take it into my examples
Paragraph 2: Ex. 1
Paragraph 3: Ex. 2..
Conculsion...</p>
<p>does anyone think i should change the format? because i have been scoring low.. ever since i put the opposing viewpoint</p>
<p>Sorry for failing to clarify - yes this is the Real ACT prep book. So I guess they like theses that "map" the paragraphs...</p>
<p>bump - they like mapping theses?</p>
<p>Yeah look at the essay that got a 5. They say it's good that he listed what he was going to talk about</p>