CUNY/ACT
WRITING EXAMINATION
UNDERSTANDING THE PROMPT
The first step in writing an ACT essay is
identifying the various parts of the prompt.
Each prompt has four key components. Identifying
each of these components will help you to
map out your essay.
THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF ALL
ACT WRITING PROMPTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- A situation that is usually
a problem to solve or an opportunity
to improve
something in the community or in schools.
Some examples of ACT situations are a vacant
lot, overcrowded classes, or the need for
education materials.
- Two proposals that address
the situation or resolve the problem presented
in the
situation. For example, ball courts or a
vegetable garden to be developed in the
vacant lot
noted above; smaller classes or teaching
assistants to deal with overcrowded classes;
books or videos to be added to a school’s
educational materials.
- A specific audience with
authority for choosing between
the two proposals, and to whom students
should respond in the form of a letter.
This audience
could be a community board, city council,
the mayor, the school principal, the student
government, or the parent association.
- A specific criterion for judgment
that is the basis for making the
decision between the two proposals and for
supporting
the proposal chosen. Some examples of the
criterion for judgment are the needs of
the community, student retention, or the
quality of student life.
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