What is the "ACED" Formula in Writing?

Many students struggle (at first) with analytical writing, especially if a student is a concise writer who doesn’t always include enough detail, doesn’t explain his or her answer, or doesn’t know how to analyze a fact for its significance.

This semester, seventh and eighth graders have been learning a writing strategy called “ACED” that can work in almost any class and is particularly relevant for short answer responses, extended responses, and essays.

For example, the ACED acronym works well for...

• Short answer questions on tests, especially in social studies, ELA, religion, and science
• Lab reports in science class
• Body paragraphs for essays
• Any situation in which students have to cite a text (novel, article, etc.)

Here’s how it works:

After thoroughly reading and understanding the prompt and any sources that will be cited, the student should...

• A: Answer the question. Provide EITHER the answer to the short answer question, OR the topic sentence of the body paragraph. (This answer step might also include a preview of the reasons why.)
• C: Cite the text/source. Give the direct quote, the cited fact, or other evidence (WITH an in-text citation).
• E: Explain the text/source evidence. Say anything needed to either clarify what the cited fact is (what it means), and/or explain why that cited fact was important (why it matters).
• D: Demonstrate how the evidence proves the Answer. Explain VERY directly how the cited evidence answers the question OR how it proves the thesis. (Why does your cited evidence “count” as proof for the Answer in the A step?)

Here’s an example from social studies class.

The prompt was about whether or not the ancient Romans left a positive legacy behind. The ACED method is highlighted.

Rome did leave a positive legacy on the world through its medical advancements, engineering marvels, and creation of representative democracy. In exhibit G, the picture shows many ancient Roman medical tools that are on display at the Naples Museum of History. There are over 30 medical tools on display here, which shows Rome’s dedication and focus on medical advancements. Many of the tools look similar to the types of tools used in modern hospitals and operating tables; therefore, Rome’s impact is still visible in the field of medicine today.  

Here’s an example from language arts class.

This is a body paragraph from an essay; the prompt asked the writer to identify the theme of the novel A Wrinkle in Time. The ACED method is highlighted.

The Happy Medium shows the children an example of selflessness conquering darkness when she shows them a star sacrificing itself for the sake of fighting darkness. In chapter six, Mrs. Whatsit states, “‘It was a star… a star giving up its life in battle with the Thing. It won, oh, yes, my children, it won. But it lost its life in the winning’’” (L’Engle 103). Mrs. Whatsit is explaining to the children that the star beat the darkness, but only by sacrificing itself in the battle. The star sacrificing itself to fight darkness is an example of the theme of selflessness conquering darkness because the star had to give up its life in order to defeat darkness. Giving up one’s life for the sake of a cause he or she is passionate enough to fight against is a selfless act.

The seventh and eighth grades each have different resources from teachers on this topic that should help. In addition, here is a graphic organizer that ANY student could print and use for ANY class as a practice tool.

Thank you for reading!