Many students are reporting very low writing scores on the ACT. This guide will hopefully reverse that trend and allow you to score an essay in the 30s. [Disclaimer: My September ACT essay scored 11/11/11/11 for a 31]. In advance, I’d like to acknowledge @Hermit9 (a 36W scorer).
I believe there are four possible reasons that people are scoring lower:
- ACT does not know how to grade the enhanced design as accurately as before.
- The 1-36 curve is brutal.
- The essays people are writing are of poor quality and formulated on SAT/old ACT essays.
- Test-takers were unaware of the enhanced writing or did not practice enough with the new prompts.
Let’s look at an official prompt:
Many of the goods and services we depend on daily are now supplied by intelligent, automated machines rather than human beings. Robots build cars and other goods on assembly lines, where once there were human workers. Many of our phone conversations are now conducted not with people but with sophisticated technologies. We can now buy goods at a variety of stores without the help of a human cashier. Automation is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what is lost when we replace humans with machines? Given the accelerating variety and prevalence of intelligent machines, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of their presence in our lives.
Perspective One: What we lose with the replacement of people by machines is some part of our own humanity. Even our mundane daily encounters no longer require from us basic courtesy, respect, and tolerance for other people.
Perspective Two: Machines are good at low-skill, repetitive jobs, and at high-speed, extremely precise jobs. In both cases they work better than humans. This efficiency leads to a more prosperous and progressive world for everyone.
Perspective Three: Intelligent machines challenge our long-standing ideas about what humans are or can be. This is good because it pushes both humans and machines toward new, unimagined possibilities.
The first thing to do is craft your argument. Let’s use the ACT scoring rubric to help us out. In order to score full points on the “Ideas and Analysis” section, you must do the following: The writer generates an argument that critically engages with multiple perspectives on the given issue. The argument’s thesis reflects nuance and precision in thought and purpose. The argument establishes and employs an insightful context for analysis of the issue and its perspectives. The analysis examines implications, complexities and tensions, and/or underlying values and assumptions.
Now, quickly “translate” each perspective. Perspective 1 basically says that machines impede human life; negative. Perspective 2 says machines allow for prosperity; positive. Perspective 3 is the interesting one here. It essentially says that machines will allow the world to reach new possibilities; neutral-positive. In my opinion, perspective 2 and perspective 3 have some similarities…where as perspective 1 is completely different. I’ve noticed that with many of the prompts, 2 seem similar and 1 seems different. [Note: You might view two other prompts similar, not the ones I mentioned. That’s fine. The point is that you reach the point where you have 2 similar and 1 against. This makes the rest of the essay much easier]. We’ve now engaged with multiple perspectives on the given issue. Now, we need a precise thesis. Saying something like “Machines allow the world to reach prosperity” will not impress readers. Instead, we need a sharper thesis, one that: clearly aligns with one of the prompts, partially aligns with one of the prompts, and congrats one of the prompts. In this case, I think Perspective 3 is the one to fully align with, perspective 2 is the one to partially align with, and perspective 1 is the one to contrast. [Again, if you want to choose different perspectives for what you align with and not, that’s fine. What’s important is you follow the basic structure]. My thesis could be something like “While many feel machines have unethically replaced humans in the manufacturing world, I believe that the increasing presence of machines––throughout the entire manufacturing world––bodes well for our future, as they will allow for unprecedented scientific discovery and international economic growth.” This thesis is by no means perfect, but it does many things:
- It’s more precise and nuanced than a standard ACT thesis. Stuff like "scientific discovery and “economic growth” are more specific than just “new possibilities.”
- I refute the counterargument (which is Perspective 1).This shows tension.
- In a way, I show that I moderately align with Perspective 2 by saying “throughout the entire manufacturing world.”
- I support Perspective 3. Again, I just didn’t vomit back what the Perspectives said, but I twisted them into a more nuanced argument.
- This goes along with point #1. My argument has implications. Again, stuff like scientific discovery and the economy show why this issue matters. I’m setting up context.
Now that you have your thesis in mind, write the introduction. Start it off with a hook, but don’t spend forever thinking of one or writing 10 sentences. For the purpose of time, I’ll copy parts of this introduction from Prepscholar.
From the simplest system of pulleys and ropes in ancient Greece to the most complex supercomputer in the world today, machines have had (and continue to have) a profound influence on the development of humanity. However, the growing number of machines naturally raises important ethical, economic, scientific, and political questions. While many feel machines have unethically replaced humans in the manufacturing world, I believe that the increasing presence of machines––throughout the entire manufacturing world––bodes well for our future, as they will allow for unprecedented scientific discovery and international economic growth.
Bam. 3 sentences. The first sentence (thanks Prepscholar) is a good hook. It’s clever. More importantly, it doesn’t just vomit back the prompt. Don’t do that. Then, have one or two filler sentences, then go right into your precise thesis statement. After reading this introduction, you clearly know my position on the given topic and why this topic is important. Now let’s get to the body paragraphs.
Let’s first look at the “Organization” section of the ACT scoring rubric: The response exhibits a skillful organizational strategy. The response is unified by a controlling idea or purpose, and a logical progression of ideas increases the effectiveness of the writer’s argument. Transitions between and within paragraphs strengthen the relationships among ideas.
- We already have our introduction paragraph.
- I feel the best way to organize is by perspective. The first paragraph should be the one you disagree with, so in this case, Perspective 1. Address what this perspective is saying and then refute it.
- Now, transition into the perspective you sort of resonate with (i.e. Perspective 2). First, address what the perspective is saying. Then, clearly say "I partially agree with this perspective." Proceed by first examining its weaknesses, then its strengths.
- Now, you're ready to write about the perspective you agree with. Say why you agree with it.
- Conclusion.
This organizational strategy should earn 5-6 points. It’s structured in a way that is easy for readers to understand…and that’s what matters. Don’t make this structure overly intricate or confusing.