ACT ADVANCED ENGLISH

Dashes vs. Commas

Adds emphasis or abrupt breaks in thought; use sparingly for dramatic effect.

Colons

Introduce lists, explanations, or examples after a complete sentence. Think of it as a gate opening to further detail.

Concise Expression

Strive for brevity. The shortest grammatically correct option is usually the best.

Ambiguous Pronouns

Ensure each pronoun clearly refers to one noun. If there's any doubt, rewrite for clarity.

Passive Voice

Prefer active voice; identify the subject performing the action for more direct and engaging writing.

Tone Consistency

Maintain a consistent style and attitude through word choice and punctuation that reflects the writer's intent.

Parallel Structure in Comparisons

Ensure elements being compared are grammatically similar (e.g., actions compared to actions).