Victory for the ACT Student Text 15e

170 • W RITING

PACING

There is one essay prompt with a 40-minute time limit. During the 40 minutes, you must read the prompt, formulate a position, outline your argument or analysis, write your essay, and proofread your essay. Here is a suggested breakdown for those tasks: TASK TIME TO EXECUTE 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 approximate schedule, it is likely your essay will score at least an 8. After all, your essay will include an introduction that evaluates the given perspectives and states your ’‡”•’‡…–‹˜‡ǡ –Š”‡‡ •—’’‘”–‹‰ ’ƒ”ƒ‰”ƒ’Š• ȋ‡ƒ…Š ‘ˆ ™Š‹…Š ™‹ŽŽ ’”‘˜‹†‡ •’‡…‹ϐ‹…•—’’‘”– ˆ‘” ›‘—” perspective), and a brief conclusion that clearly expresses your point of view. If your essay also ‡š‡’Ž‹ϐ‹‡•…Ž‡ƒ” ƒ† ’”‡…‹•‡ Žƒ‰—ƒ‰‡ǡ ƒ† ‹ˆ ‹– †‘‡• ‘– ‹…Ž—†‡ ƒ› ƒŒ‘” ‰”ƒƒ–‹…ƒŽ ‡””‘”•ǡ you will likely receive an even higher score.

Ace the Pace You may be concerned about the time limit and want to just read the prompt and start writing. Don’t do it! Give yourself some time to make a plan and write an outline before you write. That way you won’t get stuck halfway through, unsure about what to say ‘” Š‘™ –‘ ϐ‹‹•Š your essay.