Here are 20 ACT writing prompts for practice, each built the way the real test works: a complex issue followed by three different perspectives, so you can develop your own view and analyse how it relates to at least one other. ACT says the writing test is a single 40-minute essay, scored by two readers on four domains, with a writing score from 2 to 12.
The ACT essay rewards a particular skill: thinking clearly about a debatable issue under time pressure, and engaging with other viewpoints rather than ignoring them. The best preparation's practising on prompts in the same shape as the real thing, because you'll recognise the structure instantly on test day. Each prompt below gives an issue and three perspectives in the ACT style. They're original practice prompts, not official ACT items, so use them for timed rehearsals.
How the ACT writing test works
| Feature | What ACT says |
|---|---|
| Length | One essay in 40 minutes |
| Prompt | A complex issue with three different perspectives |
| Your task | Develop your own perspective and analyse its relationship with at least one other |
| Scoring | Two trained readers score each of four domains on a scale of 1-6; a third reader resolves gaps of more than one point |
| Scores you get | A writing score from 2-12 plus four domain scores, also 2-12 |
The detail students overlook is 'analyse the relationship'. You can agree with one of the three perspectives, partly or fully, or create your own, but a strong essay explains how your view connects with or differs from at least one of the others. Simply listing all three isn't enough.
Technology and society prompts
Issues about how technology changes everyday life. Read all three perspectives before deciding where you stand.
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Issue: Automated checkouts are replacing cashiers in many shops. Perspective one: automation frees people from repetitive work. Perspective two: it removes valuable human contact from daily life. Perspective three: shops should offer both and let customers choose.
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Issue: Many people now get their news from social media. Perspective one: this makes information more open and immediate. Perspective two: it spreads misinformation faster than corrections. Perspective three: the problem is digital literacy, not the platforms.
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Issue: Smart home devices listen for voice commands. Perspective one: the convenience is worth it. Perspective two: constant listening is an unacceptable privacy risk. Perspective three: strict laws, not personal choices, should decide how such data is used.
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Issue: Some schools are replacing printed textbooks with tablets. Perspective one: digital materials are more up to date. Perspective two: screens make deep reading harder. Perspective three: the format matters less than how teachers use it.
Education prompts
Issues close to students' own experience, where personal examples can support your analysis. You'll have plenty to say on these, so focus on organisation.
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Issue: Some educators argue grades should be replaced with written feedback. Perspective one: grades motivate students. Perspective two: grades encourage students to chase scores instead of learning. Perspective three: grades are useful only if paired with detailed comments.
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Issue: Many high schools require community service to graduate. Perspective one: it builds responsibility. Perspective two: required volunteering isn't really volunteering. Perspective three: students should choose between service and other forms of contribution.
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Issue: Some argue that every student should learn a trade skill before graduating. Perspective one: practical skills prepare students for life. Perspective two: school time is better spent on academic subjects. Perspective three: trade skills should be offered, not required.
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Issue: Year-round schooling is proposed in some districts. Perspective one: shorter breaks reduce learning loss. Perspective two: long summers allow rest and family time. Perspective three: communities should decide based on local needs.
Work and economy prompts
Issues about jobs and how people spend their working lives. They're good practice for weighing economic and human arguments against each other.
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Issue: Some companies are trialling a four-day working week. Perspective one: rested workers are more productive. Perspective two: some jobs can't fit into four days. Perspective three: flexibility matters more than the number of days.
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Issue: Many young people want careers as online creators. Perspective one: it rewards creativity and independence. Perspective two: it's an unstable career for most. Perspective three: it should be treated like any small business.
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Issue: Unpaid internships are common in some industries. Perspective one: they offer valuable experience. Perspective two: they exclude people who can't afford to work for free. Perspective three: they should be limited to short placements.
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Issue: Some argue that robots will eventually do most manual jobs. Perspective one: this will raise living standards. Perspective two: it will leave many workers behind. Perspective three: education systems must adapt now.
Environment and community prompts
Issues where individual choices and collective decisions meet.
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Issue: Some towns are banning cars from their centres. Perspective one: it makes streets safer and cleaner. Perspective two: it hurts businesses and people with limited mobility. Perspective three: it should be tried on weekends first.
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Issue: Single-use plastics are banned in some places. Perspective one: bans are the only effective solution. Perspective two: education works better than bans. Perspective three: manufacturers, not consumers, should carry responsibility.
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Issue: Public libraries are lending tools, games and equipment as well as books. Perspective one: this keeps libraries relevant. Perspective two: it distracts from their core purpose. Perspective three: libraries should follow what their community asks for.
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Issue: Some cities plant trees instead of building new car parks. Perspective one: green space improves health. Perspective two: cities need parking to function. Perspective three: planners should balance both with long-term data.
Culture and ethics prompts
Broader questions that test how carefully you can weigh competing values. There isn't a safe answer here, and that's the point.
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Issue: Museums are being asked to return objects to the countries they came from. Perspective one: returning them is a matter of justice. Perspective two: museums preserve objects for everyone. Perspective three: decisions should be made case by case.
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Issue: Some sports are introducing technology to review referee decisions. Perspective one: it makes results fairer. Perspective two: it slows the game and removes human judgement. Perspective three: it should be limited to the most important decisions.
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Issue: Reality TV is criticised for encouraging unkind behaviour. Perspective one: it's harmless entertainment. Perspective two: it normalises cruelty. Perspective three: viewers are responsible for what they watch.
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Issue: Some argue that famous athletes should speak out on social issues. Perspective one: their platform creates responsibility. Perspective two: they should focus on their sport. Perspective three: it's a personal choice that deserves respect either way.
How to get better ACT essay scores in practice
- Spend the first few minutes planning; ACT says most writers find planning and a final check useful.
- State your perspective clearly in your introduction.
- Analyse at least one other perspective directly: where does it agree with yours, and where does it fall short?
- Support each point with reasoning and a concrete example.
- Practise under a strict 40-minute timer, as ACT recommends practising within a time limit.
ACT also suggests reading widely, forming opinions on current issues and writing letters to the editor. For more structured practice, my guide to writing an essay on time helps with planning under pressure, and my list of essay topics for students offers extra issues to debate.
My advice for ACT writing practice
Do one timed prompt a week in the run-up to the test, and score it honestly against the four domains: your perspective and analysis, development and support, organisation, and language use. Then rewrite just one paragraph to improve your weakest domain. That's how practice turns into points.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ACT writing test?
ACT says it's a single essay written in 40 minutes.
What does an ACT writing prompt look like?
A complex issue followed by three different perspectives. You develop your own perspective and analyse its relationship with at least one other.
How is the ACT essay scored?
Two trained readers score four domains on a scale of 1-6 each, giving domain scores of 2-12 and an overall writing score of 2-12.
Do you have to agree with one of the three perspectives?
No. ACT says you may adopt a perspective from the prompt, partially or fully, or generate your own.
Are these official ACT prompts?
No. They're original practice prompts written in the same format, for timed rehearsals.
