1. What Every Student Is Patiently Waiting To Know
Writing the ACT Essay
What Every Student Is Patiently Waiting To Know

2. The Prompt
Always begin by really, really reading the prompt. Underline key words and phrases.
After reading the prompt, pick the perspective that best represents where you stand.
Create pros (strengths) and cons (weaknesses) for each perspective.

3. Let’s Practice! Intelligent Machines
Many of the goods and services we depend on daily are now supplied by intelligent, automated machines rather than human beings. Robots build cars and other goods on assembly lines, where once there were human workers. Many of our phone conversations are now conducted not with people but with sophisticated technologies. We can now buy goods at a variety of stores without the help of a human cashier. Automation is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what is lost when we replace humans with machines? Given the accelerating variety and prevalence of intelligent machines, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of their presence in our lives.

4. Search for key words in the prompt: WHAT DO THEY WANT???
Many of the goods and services we depend on daily are now supplied by intelligent, automated machines rather than human beings. Robots build cars and other goods on assembly lines, where once there were human workers. Many of our phone conversations are now conducted not with people but with sophisticated technologies. We can now buy goods at a variety of stores without the help of a human cashier. Automation is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what is lost when we replace humans with machines? Given the accelerating variety and prevalence of intelligent machines, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of their presence in our lives.
List or highlight key words!

5. Key Words
Many of the goods and services we depend on daily are now supplied by intelligent, automated machines rather than human beings. Robots build cars and other goods on assembly lines, where once there were human workers. Many of our phone conversations are now conducted not with people but with sophisticated technologies. We can now buy goods at a variety of stores without the help of a human cashier. Automation is generally seen as a sign of progress, but what is lost when we replace humans with machines? Given the accelerating variety and prevalence of intelligent machines, it is worth examining the implications and meaning of their presence in our lives.

6. Where do you stand? Decide your position and brainstorm!
Perspective 1
Pro
_____________
Con
__________________
Perspective 2
Pro
_____________
Con
__________________________________________

7. Perspective 3
Pro
____________________________________________________________________________
Con _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Step 2: Structure Your Essay
Outline? PLAN!! Use ideas from your brainstorming
Write a 5 paragraph essay
Intro-hook-explain prompt/perspectives-End with thesis (3-4 sentences)
1st body paragraph-Perspective 1 (not your pick)
2nd-body paragraph-Perspective 2 (not your pick)
3rd body paragraph-Perspective 3 (*your pick)-longest paragraph/best examples!
Conclusion-summarize prompt-what do you want to leave the reader with? Restate your stance! (2-3 sentences)

9. Introduction
1. Frame the discussion-Paraphrase the prompt-look at your list of key words/phrases!
2. State your thesis-Last sentence!
If possible, it is always a plus to start with an attention getter. This is an opportunity to use your voice. Make your reader WANT to read the paper!
Now…You write an introductory paragraph!

10. Introduction
It is no secret that today’s workforce no longer consists entirely of people. Rather, machines are being developed to complete many of the tasks which humans have traditionally done. This can greatly increase productivity and efficiency of simple, repetitive tasks. Many people view this as a great positive and point out that it leads to a more uniform and less expensive product which is better for everyone. However, some people are wary of this popular trend of automating the workforce and question whether this progress is truley positive. There concerns, though, are outweighed by the benefits these machines offer.

11. Let’s Revise…Reread and improve!
It is no secret that today’s workforce no longer consists entirely of people. Rather, machines are being developed to complete many of the tasks which humans have traditionally done. This can greatly increase productivity and efficiency of simple, repetitive tasks. Many people view this as a great positive and point out that it leads to a more uniform and less expensive product which is better for everyone. However, some people are more wary of this popular trend of automating the workforce and question whether this progress is truely positive. There concerns, though, are outweighed by the benefits these machines offer.
It is no secret that today’s workforce no longer consists entirely of people. Rather, machines are being developed to complete many of the tasks which humans have traditionally done. This can greatly increase productivity and efficiency of simple, repetitive tasks. Many people view this as a benefit and point out that it leads to a more uniform and less expensive product which is better for everyone. However, some people are more wary of this popular trend of automating the workforce and question whether this progress is truly positive. Their concerns, though, are outweighed by the benefits these machines offer.

12. Example:
It is the popular view among companies which are moving toward automation that robots can do many tasks better than humans. For example, in the automotive industry, most of a car’s individual components are manufactured by pre-programmed robots which have much greater and more precise output than would be possible for a human. In addition, robots cut down the cost of production by a considerable amount. If a company hires an employee to complete a simple task for $50,000 per year but could instead buy a machine for a one time purchase of $30,000, it is far more cost effective to buy the machine. Lower cost of production means that the goods produced can now be sold at a lower pricepoint which passes the savings on to the consumer. Companies producing goods rightly contend that the use of machines to complete low-skill jobs has only positive impact for everyone.

13. Analysis of first body paragraph
It is the popular view among companies, which are moving toward automation, that robots can do many tasks better than humans. For example, in the automotive industry, most of a car’s individual components are manufactured by pre-programmed robots which have much greater and more precise output than would be possible for a human. In addition, robots cut down the cost of production by a considerable amount. If a company hires an employee to complete a simple task for $50,000 per year but could instead buy a machine for a one time purchase of $30,000, it is far more cost effective to buy the machine. Lower cost of production means that the goods produced can now be sold at a lower price point which passes the savings on to the consumer. Companies producing goods rightly contend that the use of machines to complete low-skill jobs has only positive impact for everyone.
Topic sentence? YES!
An example? Yes!
An explanation of example? Yes!
A concluding sentence? Yes!
Transitions? Yes!
Changes: Yes!-see the orange!

14. 2nd and 3rd body paragraphs
Begin with transition and topic sentence
Give a clear example in each paragraph (more than one per paragraph becomes too difficult to follow, and your time is limited!
You must state the example’s relevance –It is your job as the writer to let your audience know why you chose the example.

15. Conclusion –Finally! Restate the thesis Sum up essay
Final sentence-leave reader with “big” idea. What is the important message?
How does the point of view affect the present or future?
A call for action?
Why is it important for readers to know this view?

16. Example
Whether humans like it or not, machines are becoming more and popular in the workplace, and are decreasing the need for humans to work those jobs. This can lead to the advancement of society, a greater end product or service, and even a lower consumer cost of goods. Many people are frightened (apprehensive) regarding change, but unfortunately for them, the past is gone and now we (society) must look to the future.