Writing Portion of the ACT

Hey guys! What is your take on the writing portion of the ACT? Is it necessary? How should I prepare for it?

Hi there! The decision to take the writing portion of the ACT is going to largely depend on the admissions requirements of the colleges you're interested in. Not all colleges require the ACT writing section, and some don't consider it in their admissions process at all. Therefore, you should check the specific requirements of the schools you're applying to. If they don't require the writing portion, and you feel that your application is strong without it, you may opt not to take it.

If you decide to take the writing portion of the ACT, keep in mind that it measures your writing skills—particularly argumentative writing. The College Board presents a prompt with varying perspectives on a contemporary issue, and your task is to analyze those perspectives, develop your own perspective, and integrate it with at least one other perspective provided in the prompt.

Preparing for this portion of the ACT can be beneficial not only for the test but also for college-level writing courses. Practice analyzing arguments, outlining your ideas clearly, and articulating your point of view in a structured and coherent manner. Some key points include developing a strong thesis, supporting your ideas with clear examples, and ensuring your essay follows a logical structure.

Remember to practice using the 40 minute time limit. This can help you to get a feel for what pace you need to maintain in order to complete your essay on time. Practice tests and writing prompts can be a useful resource for this purpose.

Good luck!