ACT Writing Preparation – Debate and Write! 

Are you ready to have your students ROCK the ACT in Writing? This Debate-Style ACT Writing Lesson will help your students refine their critical thinking around a variety of topics to be ready for test day! 

This lesson will guide your students through the process of analyzing perspectives and writing and revising their responses based on feedback aligned with the ACT Writing Test Scoring Rubric.

Target Audience: This lesson is targeted towards students in grade 6 and up. 

Lesson Outline:
1. The class is presented with a prompt and three provided perspectives that they will discuss to create a new perspective on the topic together with a partner.
2. Students will write a 2 paragraph debate response which meets the requirements of the ACT in Writing Rubric for organization, development, ideation and cohesion. 
3. Students will improve their writing responses, as they work to score a perfect 6 on their response. 
4. Students will share their responses and the class will vote for the Top 3 Arguments.
5. Students reflect on their learning. 

To generate your lesson:
- Enter a topic students care about.
- Select your grade level.

Note: Get input on the topic from your student to maximize the engagement.

Standards Covered:

CCSS Standards
	          
6-12 W.1	                  
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence: Students learn to introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.


6-12 W.2	                  
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately: This involves the clear presentation of information that is crucial for writing the explanatory context in an ACT essay.


6-12 W.4	                  
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience: This standard directly aligns with the ACT's expectation for structurally sound and logically organized essays.


6-12 W.5	                   
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach: This focuses on the revision process, which is crucial for crafting a well-thought-out argument in a limited time.


6-12 W.9	                   
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research: This standard enhances the student's ability to use evidence effectively, a critical skill for the ACT Writing test.


11-12 W.1a	                  
Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, evidence, and analysis: This detailed standard at the senior high school level sharpens the skills needed for advanced argumentative writing required in the ACT.

TEKS Standards
	
Grade 6 6.13.D	                 
Write using effective rhetorical techniques for persuasive writing, including logical reasoning and appropriate examples to support points.

Grade 7 7.18.A	                  
Write an argumentative text including a clear thesis and a coherent argument with precise claims and relevant evidence.

Grade 8 8.15.D	                  
Use effective rhetorical techniques and evidence to support assertions in argumentative texts.

Grade 9-10 110.33(b)(17)(C)	   
Develop substantive arguments and counterarguments in persuasive texts using persuasive strategies and evidence.

Grade 11-12	110.34(c)(12)(D)	  
Produce arguments in written form using rhetorical strategies (e.g., logical, emotional, ethical) that are well developed, substantiated, and appropriate to the audience.

Tags: Writing, test prep, AI-feedback, ACT, debate, perspective, argumentation

ACT Writing Preparation – Debate and Write!

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