<p>I made an eight on my last ACT essay (my first Writing attempt). Although that score usually indicates several flaws in organization and grammar, based on my essay feedback, my only problem was my amount of content. I had a solid introduction and a very workable thesis. My first body paragraph included three direct quotes (two from Stanley Kubrick and one from Robert Frost), an extended analogy, and a parable all addressing the dilution of friendships and ultimate social isolation arising from modernized social networking (no, the paragraph wasn't about such a general topic). Although I had a great plan for my second and third paragraphs, I ran out of time on the introductory sentence of my second paragraph: no rebuttal, no conclusion, nothing. Basically, I write ten words per minute (one line per minute), and I only progressed about 230 words into my essay; I know I can write much better than my score, but I don't think I can adequately perform without writing supplementation. I appreciate any help.</p>
<p>One line per minute is pretty slow, and the only way you can move that slowly is if you purposely write that slowly, or you haven’t developed your ideas enough. When you get your topic make sure to get your ideas together, and then start writing.</p>
<p>Dw about sophisticated vocabulary and absolutely flawless grammar; just write!</p>
<p>I’m not completely sure how similar the essays for the ACT and SAT are, as ACTs are not available where I am, but I can share some of my experiences with the SAT.</p>
<p>I think we’re pretty similar as I did really bad for my first SAT essay. I’m generally a strong essay writer, but I completely spazzed out and spent way too long thinking about how to make the essay perfect - which was a big mistake. I think that the most important thing is to keep in mind that they do not look for perfect essays, instead, they look for the ability and potential to write well. What I find most effective is to plan a general outline by thinking of good examples to use, and then just write without thinking too much nor stopping in between whilst maintaining a coherent essay by using the writing style I am most familiar with. I personally feel that although quotations are good, unless if there’s one that does not require much thinking, it’s a waste of time to try and remember its exact wording. Lastly, practice! It really helps.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I think I can do a few practice essays without incorporating huge words or perfect structure; I can probably develop a knack for both by just practicing repeatedly.</p>