ACT Writing Prompts

Recently, several English teachers have decided to teach a certain book to their classes that contains questionable material normally not allowed in schools, including poor language, sexuality, and violence. They claim that the book has many redeeming qualities about it, and also is a great tool for teaching students reading and analytical skills. Many parents, on the other hand, have objected to the use of this book in class, arguing that schools should only include books and topics that are acceptable to everyone, and that students are subjected to too many negative influences already through media outside of school. In your opinion, should these teachers be permitted to teach this questionable book to their students?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

As teenagers grow physically and socially, they inevitably begin thinking about sex. Many students are curious about it and have numerous questions, while others go so far as to actually experience it. There are some who claim that it should be the role of high school health classes to actively teach students about sex, including abstinence, contraception, and disease. Others, however, insist that it is solely the responsibility of parents to teach their children what is best, and schools need to stay out of such a serious matter. In your opinion, should health classes teach students about sex?

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?

Many successful adults recall a time in life when they were considered a failure at one pursuit or another. Some of these people feel strongly that their previous failures taught them valuable lessons and led to their later successes. Others maintain that they went on to achieve success for entirely different reasons. In your opinion, can failure lead to success? Or is failure simply its own experience? In your essay, take a position on this question.

In response to articles examining sensitive topics such as dating and partying, many schools are considering censoring their newspapers. Some schools believe that these topics are not appropriate for student-run papers, while others believe that, as long as what is printed is true, student papers should have the same freedoms as regular newspapers do. What is your opinion on this topic?

English historian Edward Gibbon once said, \"Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers; the second, more personal and important, from himself.\" Many parents and teachers believe that the education received inside a school system is most valuable in life. Others argue that the most important learning takes place outside of school during \"real life\". Which form of education do you believe is more important? In your essay, take a position on this question.

Some school administrators and parents debate whether high school students should be given the option to travel off-campus for lunch. Those opposed to the idea claim that off-campus privileges increase the risk of accidents during the school day; students are rushing to get to and from lunch, and it also takes focus and energy away from academics. Others argue that students gradually earn the privilege of an off-campus lunch option, and therefore deserve the right to use it at their discretion. In your opinion, do you believe that high school students should be granted the privilege of an off-campus lunch option?

Many high school libraries use some of their limited funding to subscribe to popular magazines with articles that are interesting to students. Despite limited funding, some educators support this practice because they think having these magazines available encourages students to read. Other educators think school libraries should not use limited funds to subscribe to these magazines because they may not be related to academic subjects. In your opinion, should high school libraries subscribe to popular magazines even though the magazines may not be related to academic subjects? 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.

Some cities have ordinances that limit the number of pets a city resident can own. Often, the maximum number of pets allowed is limited to three or four. Some people support the limit because they feel it protects them against having a neighborhood overrun with animals that could potentially become a public nuisance. Other people oppose the limit because they feel it infringes upon their rights as private citizens. In your opinion, should city governments be allowed to limit the number of pets a resident can own? 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 the question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

In response to articles examining sensitive topics such as dating and partying, many schools are considering censoring their newspapers. Some schools believe that these topics are not appropriate for student-run papers, while others believe that, as long as what is printed is true, student papers should have the same freedoms as regular newspapers do. What is your opinion on this topic? Source: The Princeton Review's Cracking the ACT, 200810. In some states, legislators have debated whether teenagers should be required to maintain a \"C\" grade average in school before receiving a driver's license. Some people think this would be a good policy because having passing grades shows that students are responsible enough to be good drivers. Other people think such a policy would not be appropriate because they see no relationship between grades in school and driving skills. In your opinion, should teenagers be required to maintain a \"C\" average in school before receiving a driver's license?

In this country, most people see and hear advertising for many different products every day. Some people think advertising is useful because it provides important information about many different products. Other people think advertising is not useful because it tries to persuade people to buy products they do not really need. In your opinion, does advertising serve a useful purpose in our society?

Occasionally, students in elementary school are allowed to advance to the next grade even thought they have not successfully completed the lower grade. Advocates of \"school promotion\" think that keeping a child in a grade for longer than a year hurts his or her development and self-esteem.

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires all school libraries receiving certain federal funds to install and use blocking software to prevent students from viewing material considered \"harmful to minors.\" However, some studies conclude that blocking software in schools damages educational opportunities for students, both by blocking access to Web pages that are directly related to the state-mandated curriculums and by restricting broader inquiries of both students and teachers. In your view, should the schools block access to certain Internet Web sites?