The fastest ACT Writing gains come from planning before you write, taking a clear position, engaging all three perspectives with specific examples, and leaving two minutes to proofread—not from fancy vocabulary. Use this checklist on test day. Part of how to write the ACT essay.
Before you write (8–10 minutes)
- Read the issue and all three perspectives fully.
- Pick your position—do not stay neutral.
- Jot one example per body paragraph before drafting.
- Sketch which perspectives you will agree with or push back on.
Ideas and Analysis
- State a clear thesis in the introduction—graders should know your view immediately.
- Engage at least two of the three given perspectives honestly.
- Do not just summarize viewpoints; analyze why they succeed or fall short.
- Address nuance—a pure black-and-white argument scores lower than a qualified one.
Development and Support
- Use specific examples: a historical event, school experience, current issue, or observation.
- Prepare two or three versatile examples before test day you can adapt to any prompt.
- Explain why each example supports your claim—do not assume the connection is obvious.
- Avoid buzzwords and empty phrases like "in today's society."
Organization
- Follow a predictable structure—see ACT essay format and template.
- One main idea per body paragraph.
- Use transitions: "However," "Similarly," "By contrast."
- End with a conclusion that restates your thesis—not a new argument.
Language Use and Conventions
- Write clearly; simple correct sentences beat ornate wrong ones.
- Vary sentence length slightly for readability.
- Save the last two minutes to fix obvious grammar and spelling errors.
- Do not pad with repetition to hit a word count—see does ACT essay length affect your score.
Time management
- Plan: 8–10 min | Draft: 28–30 min | Proofread: 2 min.
- If stuck on an example, move on—an imperfect essay beats an unfinished one.
- Practice one timed essay before test day using official prompts.
Chasing a top score
For 10+ level depth, see how to get a 12 on ACT Writing and domain-level fixes in ACT Writing rubric strategies.
Start practicing
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