1	Strategies for Acing the ACT Overview of ACT Writing exam Creating an Outline for our Proposals Topic Sentences and Supporting Details Conclusion Created by Sherry Basdeo under the supervision of J. Pantaleo for the Basic Skills CompLab, Queensborough Community College “Support for the development/production of this material was provided by a grant under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act Amendments of 1998 administered by the New York State Education Department.”
2	I. Overview of the ACT 1. You will be given a choice. 2. You will be asked to choose between a school-based prompt or a community- based prompt. 3. You should choose only one prompt.
3	Each prompt consists of 4 ingredients: A. Situation B. Two proposals C. Criterion (basis) for judgment D. Audience
4	Similarly, your introduction will have these planning ingredients: A. Address the audience Ex: Dear __________: B. Give background information Set up the situation/Engage the issue C. State Thesis Give your opinion/position NOTE: At some point in your introduction, you MUST state the criterion for judgment mentioned in the prompt.
5	So that your introductory paragraph may look something like this… Dear Mr. Taylor: We have a serious problem. Our largest competitor has purchased a new take-out deli across the street and is advertising a more diverse menu. Along with this, I have been told that our customers are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the amount of wait-time in our store. To remedy this sticky situation, two proposals have been offered. One favors having the company expand its current deli menu while the other proposal seeks hiring more service help. I support hiring more staff. By hiring more service help, our company saves money, and at the same time, we keep our customers happy.
6	II. Creating an outline for your proposals… I. Read the prompt carefully. II. Begin to brainstorm ideas for supporting a proposal. III. Create an outline that will organize these ideas.
7	Today we will work with the following prompt… You have been informed by your employer, Mr. James Taylor, that a competitor has purchased a new take-out deli across the street and is advertising a more diverse menu. You are aware that many of your customers have complained about the wait time in your store. To ensure that your business is not negatively affected by this new store opening, two proposals have been made. One proposal is to expand the take-out deli menu. The other proposal is to hire more service help. Only one proposal can be put into effect, so a decision must be made. The owner has announced that the final decision will be based on the proposal that will most increase store profits. Write a letter to the deli owner explaining how your choice will most benefit business.
8	After you have read the prompt… 1. Begin to identify each part of the prompt Situation = A new deli has recently opened and is threatening business. The proposals = 1. Expand the take-out deli menu 2. Hire more service help Criterion for judgment = Increase profits Audience = The owner of the deli, Mr. James Taylor 2. Create an outline that will organize these reasons.
9	Organizing your outline…think up reasons to support the proposals… Proposal 1 1. Expand the deli menu, so more people will come into the store. This will lead to higher profits. 2. Think up a campaign or slogan for the deli that boasts of the diverse culture of the deli. This will convey that the deli understands the community. Proposal 2 1. Reduce the wait time. Customers will get out of the store faster. The customer will be satisfied, and the deli will build a good reputation thereby leading to larger profits. 2. Hire people from the neighborhood. This shows that the deli is truly made up of people in the community. Therefore, it supports the economic well-being of the neighborhood. 4. 5.
10	Organizing your outline… Think of as many reasons as possible to support each proposal. Begin to merge (combine) similar reasons and eliminate weak reasons. After combining similar reasons and eliminating repetitive or weak reasons, choose a proposal to support, and pick three different reasons for selecting this proposal. The three reasons will compose the body of your letter. Choose the proposal that has the strongest evidence (support).
11	III. Topic Sentences & Supporting Details Topic Sentences After deciding on three reasons, begin writing body paragraphs. Each body paragraph will need a topic sentence. A topic sentence focuses each paragraph on one area of support. It will keep you from straying off the point or including unrelated information in the paragraphs.
12	III. Topic Sentences & Supporting Details Continued… Supporting Details Include supporting details in each body paragraph. The types of supporting details that can be used in paragraphs are… Examples Anecdotes Facts Cause & Effect relationships Comparisons (similarities) or contrasts (differences) Statistics Definitions
13	Supporting Details Continued… Remember supporting details should: Relate directly to the reason or counterargument provided. Provide substantial expansion. Not be repetitive.
14	IV. Conclusion After writing the introductory paragraph and three well -developed body paragraphs, it is now time to complete your essay with a conclusion. You can conclude your letter by: Summarizing the points you made in your body paragraphs (using different words), and tying them to the criterion for judgment. Making a statement that leaves your reader thinking about the points you made. Hypothesizing what life will be like if your proposal is accepted. Asking the person to whom you wrote to support your proposals. Finishing your letter completely with a closing greeting and signature.
15	Sample Conclusion In closing, Mr. Taylor, I ask that you please support the proposal to hire more service help. In selecting this proposal, we will be able to successfully solve the wait-time issue, and by resolving this issue, our customers will be loyal to our business. Finally, by hiring people from our community, we demonstrate our support for the neighborhood and solidify our place in the community as a caring business. All of these steps will net higher profits, while benefiting the community as a whole. Sincerely, Sherry Basdeo
16	Editing DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! Read your paper over for grammar, spelling and usage errors. Use transitional words and devices to connect your ideas. Check for complete sentences. Be sure all sentences contain a subject and a verb. Any subject-verb pattern preceded by a subordinator (dependent clause) should be attached to an independent clause. Maintain consistency Keep verb tenses the same. Edit for subject-verb agreement.
17	Suggested use of time… You will have 60 minutes to complete the exam. 10 minutes to brainstorm reasons 40 minutes to write the essay 10 minutes to edit the essay