Journal #34: How to write on the ACT

When writing on the ACT there are many things that must be considered when a score of six is your goal. First and foremost, as one of the most important things to think about, is to have a counter-argument somewhere in your essay. The highest score that can be obtained without a counter-argument is a two. Not a score that should be sought after. This element of your essay, while maybe not as important as the main body argument, is still very important, and must be remembered when writing.
Another very important gear to the great machine that is a six on the essay is that you stay on topic. If your writing takes you off on random tangents, a six will be impossible to achieve. If you are arguing for or against school uniforms, writing about your favorite music will lower your score considerably. It is a common sense thing; why would you even want to talk about anything but the subject you are talking about.
A smaller part of it, and this applies to most professional writings, you really shouldn't use contractions. It's not as major as some of the other things, but it's just some thing that you should think about.
Another critical part of a good score is good grammar. Only a few mistakes can be made before your score drops from a possible six to a five. Spelling also is included. Don't misspell words. That much is obvious. Use good grammar, and don't make stupid mistakes.
Make your introduction and conclusion strong. Make your opinion obvious and clear. Do not leave any room for guessing. Don't leave hypothetical questions unanswered. You must be through when writing.
Last, and this is another obvious one, have a good understanding of the task at hand. Know what you're writing about, of course you don't have to be an expert on the subject, but you should at least have a basic idea of what it is you're saying.