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For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.In your essay, take a position on the 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.
Remember it doesn’t matter which side you choose to write about. Picking one or the other won’t matter in the ACT graders’ eyes. All that matters is that you pick one side and support your opinion.
1 — 1 is the loneliest number: How not to be a 1
I think students should have a dress code. There is a lot of gangsters at my school that where there pants to low and I don’t really like it. If we had a dress code they wouldn’t be allowed to do it. Girls should be able to wear shirts that show their stomach though since it looks good and everyone else likes it. There should also be a dress code for really stupid fashion. This should be imposed on teachers too. And principles. I think this is only fair. Why should we have to be the only ones who who have to have a dress code.
Being number 1 may be great for high school football, but it isn’t great on your ACT test. This writer answered the question and chooses a side, but she did not support or back up her statement. Not only does she not support herself, she goes off on a tangent and wanders throughout the essay. Her lack of focus, irreverent examples, and her manner or writing like she speaks is going to get her a 1 on the test. Oh, and by the way, the number of spelling and word errors takes away from her ideas, is distracting, and definitely influences the way the graders look at her paper.
2 — 2 little 2 late: Steer clear of coming in second
I don’t agree with the teachers and parents who think we should have a dress code. Our style of dress is what makes us individuals and sets us apart form each other.
At my school students who dress in certain ways find others who are like them. You always know who is interested in the same stuff as you by what they wear. Imposing a dress code doesn’t allow us to make friendships with people you are like ourselves.
Uniforms would make people mad. Teachers would find it hard to control all their students because students would want to rebel. Kids wouldn’t be able to find friends who are like them and this would cause them to rebel.
These are just a few reasons why we should not have a dress code at school. There are many more reasons then just these but these are the most important.
To ACT graders, a 2 means you show weak skill in writing the essay. At least they’re saying you have some sort of skill, but it can be improved. This writer answers the question and shows that he can support his point of view, but his lack of organization leaves readers’ heads spinning. The writer has paragraph structure in this essay, with clear indentations, an introductory paragraph and conclusion, but transitioning between the two paragraphs is missing. His simple sentence structures let everyone know that his writing skill may not be as high as it should be. A 2 may be better than a 1, but it isn’t a score for which you should strive.
3 — Still on the wrong side of the tracks
In my opinion, kids should not have a dress code because it takes away freedoms that they should have. There are some clothing styles that teenagers wear that are not appropriate like tight revealing clothes. But to make students buy certain clothes like blue pants and white shirt infringes on their rights.
In America freedom of expression is very important and by forcing us to wear certain things schools are taking away one of our rights. If they start taking away this right, they might start taking away other ones too.
Dress codes are unfair because some families cannot afford them. Many kids would need a whole new wardrobe and their families would have a hard time buying this for them. Not only would they need clothes, but they also need clothes for outside of school. For poorer families this would be hard.
A dress code would take away some of our freedom of expression and it would be a financial strain for poorer families. I think that there should be no dress code.
A 3 is almost a reason for celebration. Almost. This writer answers the question, gives reasons to support the ideas, and then gives even further reasoning to help with the argument. She has structure, maintains focus in her paragraphs, and has sentences that are longer than the ones written by eighth-graders. However, she’s still hanging around on the wrong side of the tracks. The ACT folks are starting to recognize her developing skill, but she’s still growing. They want her to include some counterarguments and fully develop her ideas. Her paragraphs are not complete, and she does not include the transitions that she needs to help her essay flow. Ideas are logically grouped, but not logically displayed. With a little work, this essay can make it to the right side of the tracks.
4 — The grass is greener on this side
I believe that it would be a good idea for our schools to adopt dress codes. Some people argue that it would restrict student’s freedom of expression, but I do not agree with this position. It is important that we have a right to express ourselves, but our society does not allow us to have unrestricted freedoms like this all the time. It is important to learn discipline, show respect for other’s feelings and learn how to be successful operating in the real world. Dress codes create a better learning environment and also helps students prepare for their futures.
The most important benefit of imposing dress codes would be creating a better school environment. Students who are trying to concentrate and learn would be unfocused because of inappropriate clothing. Small clothing, tight tops, and sagging pants might be okay for after school but not appropriate for the classroom. Certain types of people might find profanity and obscene images offensive. Art and creative writing are better ways to express your creativity rather than on your clothing. Less distractions in the classroom would help a student to get a better education.
Another important benefit of having a dress code would teach students how to dress properly for different occasions. Clothes that you would wear to a party would not appropriate for a dinner with your boyfriends parents. Likewise, you wouldn’t wear your work clothes on a date. Some jobs in society require people to wear uniforms. Dress codes in schools help students to realize what the world is like and get ready to enter it.
Another important concern for students is trying to fit in. Dress codes take the emphasis off what you look like and put more emphasis on learning.
In conclusion, it is important for schools to adopt dress codes. Getting an education is the most important thing about school and dress codes take away distractions. Learning how to dress for the real world is also important. And it helps with the pressures of trying to fit in.
A score of 4 would make anyone want to run and frolic through green pastures, because the ACT folks think you have adequate writing skills. You may not be the best, but at least you’re average and your score is respectable. This writer takes a stance and acknowledges counterarguments. Focus is maintained throughout the essay, and each idea in the better-defined paragraphs is developed enough to make the graders happy. This writer demonstrates a simple organizational structure that works with an introduction and a conclusion that balance out the essay. ACT graders like the appropriate word choice and the ability of the writer to demonstrate language control. This score shows that the writer learned his skills in school, even though he may not become the next Shakespeare.
5 — Star material: Five-star winners
There is a debate now amongst parents and teachers about whether or not a dress code should be used in schools. I agree with the position that believes that it will improve the learning environment in our schools. I think a dress code would significantly improve the excellence of our education. First, students would be able to focus on academics rather than the social facet of school. Second, the appearance of the school would improve and third, students would be better prepared for the working world.
The most crucial benefit of implementing a dress code would be to significantly reduce the distractions in the classroom. For students to be successful in the future it is important that we concentrate on the material being taught in the classroom. It is difficult to do this when you overhear students whispering about their newest Gucci purse or admiring their best friend’s Prada shoes. Young people place such an emphasis on style and image rather than substance. In addition, students see school as a social venue rather than a learning environment.
Secondly, if the students and faculty are well groomed I believe that it improves the aesthetic appeal of the school. Formal attire is not necessary to achieve this. For example, requiring long pants and a collared shirt would be sufficient. Not only would the school look more professional, it would change the character of the school. Holding students to a higher standard would require them to do it for themselves. It would improve their maturity level as well.
Finally, supporting a dress code would prepare today’s youth for the work of their future. A plethora of jobs require uniforms or a standard dress code. I think it is important for schools to not only prepare students academically for their future, but also in proper conduct and grooming. Just because someone has impressive qualifications doesn’t mean they’ll be hired if they look like they just rolled in from the beach. Allowing students to dress however they choose might eventually be harmful to their future success.
The opposing view feels that a dress code would hinder a student’s freedom of expression, but I still think a dress code is a good idea. A dress code addresses the important issues at hand while at the same time allowing the student to find more appropriate ways of expression. It would be different if you could not paint or write creativity the way you chose in school because that would affect your freedom of expression.
In conclusion, I strongly support the idea of a dress code. Not only does it improve our learning environment but it also improves the character of the school and readies the student for a successful future.
A score of 5 gets you a gold star on the blackboard! It isn’t ACT perfection, but it’s pretty darn close. This writer was able to effectively address the issue by clearly answering the question and by addressing the counterargument. This essay is organized and fluid and contains a variety of specific examples. The ideas in each paragraph are developed and support the argument. This writer explores a cultural component that shows advanced critical thinking skills and displays a mastery of vocabulary and precise word choice.
6 — You unlocked the code: A perfect score
The trend of inappropriate dress in our schools is causing alarm in our parents and educators. This population argues that inappropriate clothes is distracting in the classroom and interferes in the learning environment. They also believe that adopting a dress code would establish guidelines and frameworks for what students should and should not wear on campus. The opposing view believes that a dress code would hinder the student’s freedom of expression.
When freedom of expression begins to interfere with appropriate and clear education in the classroom, we have a serious dilemma and the issue needs to be addressed. Obviously in our schools, the lack of a dress code is not working. We are not breaking new ground when we suggest that the fashion that is spewed upon our youth in the mass media is riddled with sexual undertones. Examples of this can be seen in every teen magazine, every youth oriented television program and on the most popular of music videos. Further, what advertisers would consider benign, stimulates and raises the hormone levels of every young male. In our classrooms this can be very distracting. The only solution to help create an environment where learning takes precedence is to adopt school uniforms. Obviously, a uniform policy would be easier to enforce then a dress code, and would bring many advantages to the entire academic population.
First and foremost, uniforms would help students to fight the materialistic world’s values. Our society feels that designer labels, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Hilfinger create self worth and that without these, a person is open to cruel comments and nonacceptance. Many students cannot afford to “buy” their self worth and are required to rise above the standards our society and media feeds them. As a teenager, acceptance is the most crucial aspect of their daily lives, and school uniforms take away the financial burden that our society imposes upon them. Although uniforms need purchasing, it carries with it a minimal financial burden compared to overly high-priced current designer wear that students will ask for.
Uniforms could also help curb gang related violence that occurs in many of our nation’s schools. Specific colors, logos and signs have all been adopted into the lifestyle of gang members and each carry their own significance. What was once an ordinary red shirt, could now be considered an intentional bullet fired in a gang battle. Uniforms decrease the division lines between gangs, as well as protect students who are ignorant to the unwritten laws that govern gangs.
For myself, uniforms would dramatically decrease the amount of time I spent preparing for my day. No longer would I need to delve into the bottom of my closet to find an outfit that I haven’t worn this week. I do not need to worry that I my best friend might come to school in the same outfit as me, because uniforms ensure that they will! Uniforms give me extra time to finish the homework I haven’t done, rather than spend it worrying about my wardrobe.
Certainly no one is proclaiming that uniforms are the solution to all school-wide problems. There are still wide spread school related issues that could never be fixed with clothes. Safety concerns, educational standards, bullying, and health related issues are areas that need further research. However, uniforms do help to ensure a learning environment that is free from distractions and fosters creative expression in areas of importance.
So, in conclusion, I highly value the worth of uniforms and feel they should be enforced throughout the entire school district. Solving problems in the entire district would help ensure a safer community, save us all money, and give us all some well needed extra time in the morning.
The secret to your success on the ACT is a 6, and with an essay like this, you can earn it. The ACT graders are practically drooling over this writer’s style, because it recognizes the complexity of the issue, creates a stunning thesis, and then supports it with well-thought-out and varied examples. She argues her side well, and includes arguments from opposing points of view. Her structure and organization is logical, and she includes transitions between all of her paragraphs. Her writing displays her own unique wit and personality, which she masterfully executes in her essay. The ACT graders practically fell over in their seats when they stumbled upon her words and her ability to use them. In 30 minutes, this writer glided through the essay with eloquence and thoroughness that left the ACT graders stunned. She deserved the 6.
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For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.