ACT Writing: Choose Strong Evidence—One Claim Needs Multiple Supporting Examples

Strong evidence is specific (names, dates, statistics), relevant (directly supports the claim), and credible (from reliable sources). Weak evidence is vague ("studies show"), irrelevant (off-topic), or from unreliable sources (random websites, hearsay). Example of weak: "Many people think climate change is real." Example of strong: "According to NASA data, global temperatures rose 1.1°C since 1880, with 95% of warming occurring since 1975." Each piece of evidence should prove one part of your argument; if you must stretch to connect it, it is not strong evidence. Choose only facts and examples that directly support your thesis.

Three criteria for strong evidence: (1) Specific—includes names, numbers, or dates. (2) Relevant—directly proves your point. (3) Credible—from a source readers would trust. Discard evidence that fails any one criterion.

Red Flag 1: Anonymous author or unclear source. Who wrote this? If unknown, it is weak. Red Flag 2: Extreme language or obvious bias. Credible sources sound measured, not emotionally charged. Red Flag 3: No data or citations. If the source makes claims but provides no backup, it is weak. Red Flag 4: Published by a biased organization (company selling what they argue for, partisan political group). Red Flag 5: Contradicted by multiple other sources. If three credible sources disagree with one, trust the three. Before using any source as evidence, ask: Would a skeptical reader believe this? If uncertain, discard it and find something more solid.

Credible sources: government data (Census Bureau, EPA), peer-reviewed research, major news organizations, academic institutions, think tanks without obvious bias.

Evidence 1: "I read on a blog that exercise is good for health." Evaluation: Weak. Anonymous blog, no specific data, no credible source cited. Better: "A 2023 study by Harvard Medical School found that 30 minutes of daily exercise reduces heart disease risk by 35%." (Specific, credible, relevant.) Evidence 2: "Obviously, social media is destroying young people's mental health." Evaluation: Weak. Loaded language ("obviously," "destroying"), vague claim, no evidence. Better: "A 2022 American Psychological Association study linked excessive social media use to increased anxiety in teens, noting a 40% spike in cases since 2015." Evidence 3: "My neighbor says the new road will ruin traffic." Evaluation: Weak. Anecdotal, biased, vague. Better: "City traffic engineers project a 25% increase in congestion during peak hours if the road opens without a new light rail system." For each, identify weaknesses and rewrite with stronger evidence.

Practice evaluating evidence from five sources daily until you instantly recognize strong vs. weak.

ACT Writing rubrics reward writers who use specific, relevant evidence to support claims. Vague essays with weak examples score lower than well-supported essays, even if both are similar in length. One strong piece of evidence (with data) is worth more than three vague examples combined. Essays that cite sources, provide numbers, and choose relevant examples score significantly higher.

Before submitting your essay, scan your evidence. If a piece makes you think "a skeptical reader might doubt this," replace it with something stronger.