ACT ESSAY HOMEWORK
*These are Real,
Released, ACT Essay Prompts*
#1
Some teachers and administrators believe that extra-curricular
involvement plays an important role in a high school student’s social
development. Therefore, our school district is considering an additional
graduation requirement that students must participate in a school-sponsored
club or sport for at least one season or year. Some students and parents are
concerned that this requirement could create conflicts with personal
obligations outside of the school day. In your opinion, should the district
implement this graduation requirement?
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.
#2
To motivate students to do well on state tests, some schools
have offered rewards such as iPods, parking permits, and gift certificates for
high achievement on these exams. Some students believe that these incentives
encourage them to take the tests more seriously. Others feel that this policy
is unfair to students who struggle academically. In your opinion, should school
districts offer rewards to students for high performance on state tests?
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.
Time Limit: 30 minutes
# 3
Community service is an important element of good
citizenship. Therefore some schools mandate that students perform ten hours of
community service during each year of high school. Parents and civic leaders
feel that volunteering strengthens the bonds between the school and the
community. Others believe that this requirement interferes with students’
commitments outside of the school day. In your opinion, should community
service be required for each year of high school?
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.
Time Limit: 30 minutes
#4
To increase communication with parents, schools offer online
parent access to student grades and attendance. Parents believe this access
allows them to monitor their children’s academic progress and to help them
succeed. Some students feel that parent access to student grades invades their
privacy and discourages personal responsibility. In your opinion, should
parents have online access to student grades and attendance?
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.
Time Limit: 30 minutes
#5
Because of increasing academic standards and of the average
student’s abilities and commitments, colleges are now considering using the
contents on Facebook and other social media as part of the criteria for a
student’s admission. Many see this as a way to learn about parts of a student
that are not part of the normal application and resume, such as their
personality, friends, and social habits. Others, however, see this as a breach
of privacy and argue that Facebook in no way gives an accurate or complete
portrait of a student’s academic promise at a university. Should colleges be
permitted to use applicant’s Facebook content in their considerations?
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.
Time Limit: 30 minutes
#6
Recently there have been complaints about negative student
behavior off campus during lunch hours. Some community members would like off
campus privileges revoked. Yet many teachers and students feel that going off
campus can be beneficial for students. In your opinion, should schools
eliminate off campus privileges?
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.
Time Limit: 30 minutes
#7
There are a wide variety of academic and extra-curricular
activities that many high school students just miss because of the time
constraints they face in the four years of high school. As a result, students permanently
miss out on unique opportunities because they are compelled to focus on their
academic requirements. To increase student opportunity, the state is
considering increasing the length of high school from four years to five. This,
according to supporters, will allow students to complete their required courses
as well as undertake more academic and extra-curricular choices. Many students
and parents, however, feel that adding a fifth year of high school will only
add more requirements and pressures. In your opinion, should the state increase
the length of high school from four years to five?
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.
#8
With the many technological advances that have been made
within the last decade, many school districts are considering how they can
better incorporate these new technologies into the classroom. Most recently,
districts have been promoting the use of iPads by both students and teachers.
While some technological advocates claim that using iPads in the classroom will
help improve student learning and train students on appropriate use of
technology, detractors claim that iPads will be more of a distraction than an
aid to learning. In your opinion, should schools try to incorporate iPads into
the classroom curriculum?
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.
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Extra Essay Prompts:
#9
Many religions have different requirements for their
followers, and often these requirements can interfere with the day-to-day
responsibilities individuals might have. In schools, students may have certain
religious restrictions that grant them special privileges that may include getting
out of swimming class, ordering from a unique menu in the cafeteria, and even
having a lighter academic schedule to allow time for prayer during the school
day. Proponents of these privileges claim that religious requirements should
take precedence over academics; however, opponents argue that if an individual
wants to attend a certain high school, then they must conform to the
expectations of that school’s academic requirements regardless of personal
belief. In your opinion, should religious students receive unique treatment
because of their beliefs?
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.
Time Limit: 30 minut
