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Writing

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A little light reading!

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ACT Writing TestA Persuasive Essay

• One essay• 30 minutes• Occurs after the 4 multiple choice tests• Does not impact Composite score• Will result in 2 additional scores– Combined English/Writing score (1-36)– Writing Test subscore (2-12)

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The Essay…• will be available to the high school and to colleges to

which ACT reports the scores from a test date.

• is designed to measure the writing skills that are expected of students entering the first-year college composition course.

• consists of one writing prompt that briefly states an issue and describes two points of view on that issue. The student is asked to take a position and support that position with specific reasons and examples.

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Scoring ranges from 2-12

• 2 readers• Holistic score of 1-6– Added together– 3rd reader if scores differ by more than 1 point

• 1 - 4 narrative comments included• “Scores in 3-4 and 5-6 range are the minimum

for students to be ready for college-level writing assignments.”

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The Official Word From ACT…• At this time there is no ACT Writing benchmark. Our benchmarks are

derived from actual performance of students in college level courses. Less than 24% of institutions require the writing score for placement/admission purposes, and use it in various ways therefore we do not have enough data to support a writing benchmark score. That is not to say ACT will never have a writing college readiness benchmark as every three years our ACT research team publishes The National Curriculum Survey that monitors the actual use of our assessments and we are seeing increasing usage of the writing score in both the secondary and post-secondary level.

• We are definitely seeing more states choose to adopt the writing portion of the ACT as a way to demonstrate a student’s writing ability, state specific curriculum alignment/ accountability, and to create college access for all students who would less likely take the ACT Plus Writing.

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Considerations• Pencil and paper• Needs to be readable• 30 minute timing means planning is essential

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The Prompt• Subjects that relate to interests and experiences of

HS students.• Issue briefly stated• 2 positions described• Choose 1 (or your own unique)– Position does not affect score– Maintain focus throughout– Position developed by logical reasoning– Ideas presented in organized way– Use written language clearly, correctly, and effectively

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Every ACT Essay is Formatted in the Same Way…

• The first paragraph lays out an issue and then briefly presents opposing viewpoints

• The last sentence in the first paragraph poses the question for the student to consider.

• The second paragraph gives the standard directions for writing the essay.

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An Example Prompt• In some high schools, many teachers and parents

have encouraged the school to adopt a dress code that sets guidelines for what students can wear in the school building. Some teachers and parents support a dress code because they think it will improve the learning environment in the school. Other teachers and parents do not support a dress code because they think it restricts the individual student’s freedom of expression. In your opinion, should high schools adopt dress codes for students?

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And Another• Educators debate extending high school to five

years because of increasing demands on students from employers and colleges to participate in extracurricular activities and community service in addition to having high grades. Some educators support extending high school to five years because they think students need more time to achieve all that is expected of them. Other educators do not support extending high school to five years because they think students would lose interest in school and attendance would drop in the fifth year. In your opinion, should high school be extended to five years?

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The Directions (always the same)

• In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

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Students are advised to…• Make the essay as polished as possible.

• Make sure that all words are written clearly and neatly so that readers can read them easily.

• Take a few minutes to think through the essay and jot preliminary notes on the planning pages in the scoring booklet before beginning to write.

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Steps in the Essay Process• Plan and organize• Write:– Introduction– Body– Conclusion

• Review and revise

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Suggestions for crafting the response…

No penalty for ‘cookbook’ formulas such as the5 paragraph essay

…each with 3 supporting details

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5 Main Scoring Criteria• Expressing Judgments (evaluate the issue, pick a

position and articulate it to the reader, acknowledge other perspectives)

• Focusing on the Topic (narrow down to specific topic & discuss controversial aspect)

• Developing a Position (explain position through logical discussion)

• Organizing Ideas (ideas are organized and presented in a logical way, well-integrated transitions)

• Using Language (use of sentence structure, word choice, and conventions)

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The Holistic Scoring Rubric

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Analyzing School Writing Reports and Using to Inform Instruction

Ideas for Progress

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Next Steps:• Inform staff about the ACT Writing assessment.• Make decisions about where this type of writing will

be taught across grade levels and content areas.• Provide staff with information, links and resources.• Ensure designated staff has had adequate

preparation with rubric, anchor papers, and scoring.• Provide ongoing opportunities for staff to analyze

results of student assessment data and share best practices.