Third Nine Weeks Project Directions

In class, we have analyzed the new ACT Writing section. We have discussed how the new section differs from the old section. Specifically, the new section makes us engage with a broader range of subject matter, offers different points of access to the issue, forces us to engage in more real-world argumentation, and provides us with more structure for planning as well as more time for composing.

On the surface, the new section seems harder than the old one where we simply had to take a pro/con position against a simple issue and flesh out our argument. However, as we discussed, the new section may actually be easier as it provides us with an opportunity to critically engage with more diverse perspectives and set ourselves apart from our competitors on the ACT (who may not even know about the new format of the section).

In order to aid us in our attack on the ACT Writing section, I have devised my own template for you to use on the test. We will study the template in depth during class. I will model its use for you, and you will practice using it several times before you use it to draft your project essay. 

Before we even use the template though, we will work on brainstorming ideas based on ACT Writing prompts. During the 40 minute ACT Writing test, I want you to spend the first 5 minutes simply reading the prompts and brainstorming. The ideas you come up with during that time will form the basis for your essay, so these are perhaps the most important 5 minutes of the test. During this time, you will consider all three perspectives provided by the ACT, you will select one, and you will generate ideas supporting your idea and combatting the other two.

The next step will be planning, which I expect will take you about 10 minutes. This is when we will use our template to draft an outline of our essay. Our essay will be four paragraphs long, and each paragraph will be 5 sentences. The first paragraph will introduce and expand on our argument, the second and third will defend against our opponents’ perspectives while adding more credence to our own, and the fourth will provide context as well as a summary conclusion.

I have invented a simple acronym to help you remember the template:

TREES-OUCHY-OUCHY-CRASH

Just imagine someone falling from the sky into a tree and you will have it memorized.

The blank template can be found here. An explanatory template with the purpose of each sentence can be found here. A completed outline (handwritten) responding to an ACT prompt can be found here. Finally, a completed, abbreviated response to an ACT prompt using the template and outline can be found here.

Once we have completed our outline, we will spend 20 minutes drafting our essay. It is important that we write in a clear, concise manner. We must also use precise word choice so we can be as convincing as possible. We will ensure that we establish a clear perspective on the stated issue. We will also be able to easily bring our perspective into a dialogue with other perspectives. We will generate specific examples that are relevant to the problem that is being presented. We will bolster those examples by exploring their larger implications. Our essays will be well-organized and guide the reader using transitions that link the relationships between our ideas. We will also use correct grammar, syntax, and mechanics while writing in a formal tone appropriate to our audience. 

Finally, during the last 5 minutes, we will review our essay and correct any errors.

During the month of February, we will become ACT Writing masters using this template. I will model it in class, we will practice it in pairs and groups, we will write practice essays, and - finally - we will write and upload finished products to this site.

In sum, we will practice hard and succeed on the ACT Writing test because we will have a plan!