Step by Step Why It’s Important to Use the Writing Process on Your ACT Essay Prompts

Preparation for the optional ACT Writing test should include practicing with actual ACT essay prompts. It is important to approach practice ACT essay prompts the same way as when you take the ACT—that means reading the prompt and following the steps of the writing process, while also being mindful of the allotted time of 40 minutes. By practicing these steps, you will feel prepared to tackle any prompt served to you on test day. Note: In Fall 2015, the ACT updated the Writing portion of the test. Review the changes here. For a point of reference, let’s take this sample prompt. Read the Prompt No brainer, right? It’s best to read the prompt carefully, however, to make sure you understand your objective. This updated ACT essay prompt (from the revised ACT Writing test beginning Fall 2015) asks you to â€Å"Write a unified coherent essay in which you evaluate multiple perspectives on the increasing presence of intelligent machines.† The ACT Essay scoring guidelines say that to earn the highest score, â€Å"The writer generates an argument that critically engages with multiple perspectives on the given issue.† Start your prewriting with a clear understanding of each perspective and how your essay will analyze them. You don’t want to get off track and then realize later that you aren’t effectively addressing the prompt. Brainstorm After carefully reading the prompt, start quickly jotting down ideas. Prewriting is a great way to decide your position—in other words, which perspective you will support. As you write down the strengths and weaknesses of the three perspectives and come up with solid examples to illustrate those viewpoints, you will start to form your own opinion on the issue, which may align exactly with one of the given perspectives or might be a â€Å"hybrid† of them or even a stance that is completely different. Remember: Scorers aren’t judging you on which side you select. They do, however, want to see how well you analyze each perspective and how convincingly you present your own viewpoint. If you need ideas on how to brainstorm, head over to the University of North Carolina’s Writing Center. Outline After brainstorming, briefly organize your ideas into an organized outline. A good outline will be a map of your essay and how it will flow. Begin by drafting your thesis statement, which will be the heart of your introduction: What is your position on the topic and which one of the given perspectives (or aspects of the given perspectives) do you support? Then analyze each of the perspectives, jotting down the strengths and weaknesses of each position, along with examples. Next, note briefly your own opinion on the issue. Finally, pencil in some concluding thoughts that tie everything together. The University of Washington-Tacoma has a good overview of writing an outline here. Writing Now that you’ve spent a few minutes brainstorming and outlining, creating your ACT essay will be easy—your ideas are already down on paper. Just follow your map! Build an attention-grabbing introduction around your thesis. Then, craft paragraphs around each of the three perspectives and your own position. Finally, end with a solid conclusion that summarizes your essay. Proofreading If time allows, go back and reread your essay to ensure that it clearly states your position and that you didn’t make any blatant spelling or grammatical errors. The ACT scoring guide says errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics may bring down your score. It’s never a good idea to start a trip without thoughtfully mapping your course first—and the same goes for the ACT Writing test. Study the prompt, and then figure out which way you will go. List the steps you’ll take to get there, and then start writing. When you finish, check your work and make sure you didn’t make any costly errors. By following the writing process as you complete practice ACT essay prompts, you’ll be prepared to write a high-quality essay on test day in the allotted time. Related: For an example of a very well-constructed essay, check out the essay that got one student into all eight Ivy League schools. Photo credits: 1st photoby Percy 2nd photoPrime Education

Ancient Greek Architects - Free Essay Example

In todays society, we take architecture for granted. It is everywhere today, but in ancient Greece, it was far rarer. Churches, cathedrals, temples, statues, and big hotels are all examples of modern architecture. Similarly, in ancient Greece there were temples, amphitheaters, and sports arenas; however, they werent everywhere like they are today. Today there isnt one architectural element that every building has in common; though, there was in ancient Greece. Columns were a defining part of Greek architecture and used in the building of their temples, a central structure of their society. Ancient Greek architects created three different orders of classical architecture, which are primarily recognized by the style of columns they used. An order is a combination of a specific style of column with its base and the entablature it supports. The first order created was the Doric order. It has fluted, tapered columns, with no base and a simple capital at the top. One example of the Doric order is the famous Parthenon, which housed the statue of Athena. The second order the Greeks developed was the Ionic Order. These columns are slimmer and straighter with a base at the bottom and a capital that is decorated with scrolls. The Temple of Artemis, which has been named one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is an example of the Ionic Order. The third and last order developed was the Corinthian Order. It was similar to the Ionic but had additional acanthus and fern leaves next to the scrolls on its capital. An impressive example of this is the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Columns are used frequently throughout Ancient Greek architecture but are most commonly seen in the structure of their temples. Greek temples were the most important public structure in their society. They were not built for congregational worship but to honor and serve as a home to a specific Deity. In the article Greek Temples it states, It was the needs of the gods that were most important. They controlled the forces of nature the sun and rain, which nourished their crops, and the winds that drove their ships. Therefore, the temples were built with exactness and followed a specific architectural order. They were built using the finest materials at first using wood and mud but later changed to using stone and marble. A statue representing the god or goddess was placed in the center of the temple. The priests were the only people allowed in the temple to perform sacred rituals on behalf of the community. Public participation was limited to taking part in religious festivals and processions. These culminated in lavish sacrifices of prime livestock at the gods altar which stood within the temenos but outside the temple proper (Greek Temples.) These festivals were an important part of the Greek community. Austin Cline expressed in the article Method of Sacrifice in Ancient Greece This was a communal affair not only were all of the members of the community there, eating together and bonding socially, but it was believed that the gods were participating directly as well. The importance of the temple was central to the lives of the Ancient Greeks. In Ancient Greek Architecture, columns were a key component to many of their structures. This is frequently seen in the building of their temples, which is a critical component to their community. The design of the columns used reflected the three different architectural orders developed by the Greeks. The temples themselves provided a way for them to house and honor their Gods and Goddess, as well as brought their community together. The influence of Ancient Greek architecture moves far beyond the ancients to modern society and is reflected in our government and public buildings today.