AccelePrep for the ACT Test 2nd Edition Student Text

C HAPTER 13 | F AST T RACK TO W RITING M ECHANICS • 239

BEAT THE CLOCK

On the ACT test, you will respond to one essay prompt within a 40-minute time limit. During the 40 minutes, you’ll need to read the prompt, read the perspectives, analyze the issue and perspectives, outline your response, write your essay, and proofread your essay. This may seem like a lot to accomplish in 40 minutes, but if you break your time down as suggested in –Š‡ –ƒ„Ž‡ „‡Ž‘™ǡ ›‘— •Š‘—Ž†ǯ– Šƒ˜‡ –”‘—„Ž‡ ϐ‹‹•Š‹‰Ǥ TASK TIME TO SPEND ON IT TOTAL TIME SPENT Read the prompt. 1 minute 1 minute Evaluate the given perspectives. 2 minutes 3 minutes Formulate your perspective. 2 minutes 5 minutes Outline your essay. 2 minutes 7 minutes Write the introduction. 4 minutes 11 minutes ”‹–‡ –Š‡ ϐ‹”•– ’ƒ”ƒ‰”ƒ’ŠǤ 7–8 minutes 18–19 minutes Write the second paragraph. 7–8 minutes 25–27 minutes Write the third paragraph. 7–8 minutes 32–35 minutes Write the conclusion. 3 minutes 35–38 minutes Proofread your essay. 2–5 minutes 40 minutes If you follow this schedule, you will likely receive at least an average score. After all, your essay will include all the main parts of a successful essay (an introduction that states your position, three supporting paragraphs of text analysis, and a brief conclusion). If your essay is also expressed in clear, ’”‡…‹•‡ Žƒ‰—ƒ‰‡ ƒ† †‘‡• ‘– ‹…Ž—†‡ ƒ› ƒŒ‘” ‰”ƒƒ–‹…ƒŽ ‘” •’‡ŽŽ‹‰ errors, you will likely receive an even higher score.

PACING TIP The directions are always the same, so read them carefully before the test and understand what is expected before test day. Then, don’t waste time reading the directions on test day.