Body B
Body C
This 5 paragraph structure approach can be used for 5 out of the 6 essay question types. The “Compare and Contrast” question type is the only essay question that will require a different structure.
Now, let's learn how to write a good introductory, body, and conclusion paragraph for the TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Task.
How to write a high-scoring introductory paragraph - part 2, how to write a high-scoring body paragraph, how to write a high-scoring conclusion paragraph.
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to access this lesson.
When you complete your TOEFL test, your writing must be evaluated. This is done by a combination of human readers and a computer program called e-rater®. Each of your essays is given a score from 0 to 5. Your combined essay scores are converted to a section score of 0 to 30.
There are four basic criteria on which your essay is evaluated. These four criteria are:
"Writing conventions" are the special rules of writing in English, including spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
As for the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task, here are four basic criteria on which your essay is evaluated. These four criteria are:
It takes time to develop good writing skills. Chances are a good English writer already has years of experience writing English and using English in their daily life. If you are not a good English writer, do not get frustrated.
The good news is that you only need to be able to write well on TOEFL independent and integrated tasks. Here are a few things we suggest you do in order to complete the TOEFL Writing section in the most effective manner.
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We know it can feel impossible to write two complete essays in 30 minutes!
But today, we have some awesome TOEFL writing tips that will help you feel cool and confident on test day.
The first five tips are for the TOEFL integrated writing question, task number one. The last five tips are for the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion question, task number two.
Here's a quick summary of our top 10 TOEFL Writing Tips
Tip #1: read, then listen.
Task one provides you with two passages, a reading passage, and a listening passage. The reading passage will appear first. You will have three minutes to read the passage and take notes. After that, the reading passage will disappear, and then the listening passage will play for two or three minutes. Then you have 20 minutes to write your essay.
Here is a breakdown of task one:
Integrated Writing: Task Breakdown | |
---|---|
The writing section instructions will be read aloud. You can skip this introduction. | |
You will be given an academic passage to read. This passage will contain between 250-300 words. When the clock starts, you will have three minutes to read the passage. After that, the passage disappears and an audio lecture starts. However, the reading passage will return when it's time to write. | |
A lecture that addresses the content of the reading will start to play. The lecture will last for two to three minutes. | |
After the passage finishes, you will be asked a question. The question is almost always something like: | |
The clock starts. You will have approximately 20 minutes to write an essay of at least 250 words. You must answer the question and report on the most important points from both the reading and listening. |
It is important to read the reading passage first because the professor in the listening passage is going to directly contradict the author in the reading passage.
Therefore, if you sleep on the reading passage, when the lecture begins, you may miss some vital information that you must include in your writing.
Let’s look at an example from TST Prep’s TOEFL Test #13 that you can download for free here to practice before test day.
Here’s the reading passage:
The shrimping industry relies on trawls to catch shrimp. Trawls are huge nets that are dragged behind boats in order to catch shrimp. Other animals, like sea turtles, are often caught inside these nets and soon die without sufficient oxygen. To help reduce the number of accidental deaths to sea turtles, engineers created a Turtle Excluder Device (TED), that must now be installed in all shrimping trawls. This one simple invention has greatly reduced the number of sea turtle deaths per year for a number of reasons.
First, the TED was specifically designed to help sea turtles. The TED mechanism has a mechanical barrier in the middle of the net that prevents any animal larger than ten centimeters from getting caught deep inside . Once the animal hits this metal grid, it tilts downward, providing that animal with a clear path to exit. Smaller animals, like shrimp, pass through the metal guard and get caught in the end of the trawl net, as usual.
Second, in order to make sure that fishermen use the Turtle Excluder Device, the “ Shrimp-Turtle Law” was passed. It states that all trawling shrimping boats must have a TED installed . There are specific organizations in charge of monitoring shrimping vessels to ensure that their TEDs are properly installed and maintained.
Finally, America now tightly controls the import of shrimp. All shrimp products must come from a ship that is a certified user of TED-installed shrimping trawls . Countries, companies, or fishermen who do not comply with the “Shrimp-Turtle Law” are not allowed to sell their products in the US and some European countries. Since most shrimping businesses want to import their goods to as many locations as possible, they have decided to comply and install TEDs in their trawls.
It is very, very important to take good notes during Task 1, especially on the Listening passage . There are two reasons for this:
I can’t emphasize this enough: take good notes on the Listening passage !
You will be expected to write twice as much about the content of the listening passage than the reading.
Here’s a link to that audio passage again so you can practice taking notes and compare yours to my own.
For the TOEFL integrated writing task, you are expected to explain the positions of the author and the professor, in your own words! It is very important, therefore, to paraphrase everything.
This is especially true of the reading passage. Remember, while you are writing your essay, the reading section will be right in front of you. If you directly quote the author, the TOEFL e-rater system will pick up on this and it can lead to a reduction in your score!
For example, let’s say that the reading passage states:
“ There are many who argue that corn ethanol should replace fossil fuel gas as the primary source for running cars. ”
DON’T say in your answer: “ The author discusses how there are many who argue that corn ethanol should replace fossil fuel gas as the primary source for running cars. ”
This is a huge mistake that many students make!
Instead, paraphrase the author’s position, such as: “The author discusses the advantages of switching from fossil fuels to the alternative energy source: corn-based ethanol.”
Transitional words and phrases are a crucial component of your writing, especially in TOEFL Writing task one. You will have to transition between contrasting points of view in both the reading and listening passage. The best way to keep your essay cohesive is to transition between ideas with these discourse markers.
They will prove to the TOEFL grader and e-rater that you have a firm grasp on both the English language and North American academic essay structure
Here is a list of some common transitional words and phrases:
TRANSITION WORDS AND PHRASES | ||
---|---|---|
- Reporting on points from the listening passage in the body paragraphs - When explaining your reasons and developing your examples | ||
- Reporting on points from the listening passage in the body paragraphs - When explaining your reasons and developing your examples | ||
- When you are connecting your example to the topic | ||
- When transitioning to the point of view of the listening in body paragraphs - When recognizing the opposing argument | ||
-The first sentence of each body paragraph - When providing more than one reason for your stance on the topic | ||
- Located in the conclusion paragraph, which is optional for this essay - In the last sentence of your response if you include a conclusion |
If you want to see some of these transition words in action, check out our article Topics and Sample Essays for the Writing Section of the TOEFL Test(2024)
For the integrated writing task, you only have 20 minutes to write your essay! Therefore, while time management is important throughout the TOEFL, it is especially important on this task.
You should spend approximately two minutes taking notes and outlining your answer, three minutes writing your introduction paragraph, eleven minutes writing the body paragraphs, two minutes for the conclusion, and the last three minutes for editing.
Here is the time breakdown for task one of the TOEFL writing section:
Integrated Essay Time Breakdown | |
---|---|
Gather your notes and outline the essay | |
Write your introduction | |
Write your body paragraphs (2-3) | |
Write your conclusion | |
Edit your essay |
Be sure to download our Complete Practice Test right here so you can practice the entire test.
…but here is the essay response to the TOEFL integrated question on Turtle Excluder Devices.
The reading and the lecture are about the pros and cons of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED). The writer believes there are many benefits to the use of TED, and that it has decreased the number of sea turtles caught in trawls by shrimpers. The speaker in the listening passage disagrees. He claims there are still many issues with TED, and challenges each of the writer’s points.
First, the article posits that the design of TED includes a metal barrier inside the net that prevents larger animals from getting caught. Additionally, it says, TED also provides a path for the sea turtles to exit. However, the professor points out that small and mid-sized turtles still get caught deeper in the trawls. He states this is because the metal barrier only prevents creatures larger than ten centimeters to pass through it.
Also, the author notes that laws have been passed requiring shrimp boats to have TED and use it properly. The lecturer rebuts this argument. He says that it is impossible for organizations to regulate the fishermen while they are fishing for shrimp and that they can just remove the TED right before putting the nets into the ocean. Furthermore, he argues that they are inclined to do this because sometimes TED can also prevent shrimp from passing into the depths of the trawls, which decreases their profits.
Another reason the writer feels that TED is beneficial is that under import regulations, the shrimp sold in the US can only come from suppliers who are certified TED users. Again, the speaker holds there are flaws in this argument. He suggests that there are many boat owners who claim to be TED-certified, but, in reality, have fake documentation. The lack of consistency in TED certification from country to country allows many to deceive ports and sell their shrimp anyway.
To sum up, both the author and the lecturer hold conflicting views about TED.
Five more to go…
Still with me?
Awesome (just like these tips).
Now, let’s take a look at our last five tips for the TOEFL Writing section.
Tip #6: be sure to add to the discussion.
On July 26, 2023, ETS introduced a new TOEFL Writing question called Writing for an Academic Discussion. It replaced the Independent Writing task.
For writing task #2, you have ten minutes to read the discussion and then write a response of 100 words or more.
In the example above, the professor poses a question about whether or not globalization has a positive or negative effect on society. Bryan believes globalization is positive because it brings people and cultures closer together, while Alex thinks globalization leads to the exploitation of developing countries.
When it is time to write, be sure to ADD to the discussion. Do not just repeat the same points made by the other students.
Look at the sample response below. The points highlighted are additional ideas that contribute to the discussion.
In my opinion, globalization is a positive force in the world today. My personal belief is that when nations interact together, it leads to less suffering. For example, people who suffer from natural catastrophes can import goods and services to help mitigate their losses and recover quickly. Citizens of nations who may be going through war or famine can flee to neighboring countries for shelter. I understand Alex’s concern over cultural homogenization, but I believe she misses another critical point. Much of the food found in grocery stores around the world is imported. Our very diet is due to the international trade partnerships and alliances forged over the last half of the 20th century. International trade and travel are not possible in a world without globalization, which is why I believe it is crucial to maintain our current global policies for a safer world with a higher standard of living.
On test day, it is fine to agree or acknowledge the points made in the discussion; just be sure that the majority of your response to the Writing for an Academic Discussion question further develops the online conversation.
But hold on a second.
Your grammar in the TOEFL Writing section can’t be too simple, and there is one more tip to keep in mind.
According to Michael Goodine at Test Resources , the TOEFL Writing e-rater likes writing samples that include sentences with subordinating and/or coordinating conjunctions.
A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent clause, and a coordinating conjunction joins two elements of equal importance.
Check out the table below for a handy list of both.
It is not required to include these conjunctions in your response, but it will help you craft sentences with two or more clauses, which will have a positive impact on your score.
I have highlighted the sentences from the globalization example response that include multiple clauses.
While preparing for the TOEFL writing section, it is crucial for you to get your hands on some practice questions.
And to get valuable feedback from a qualified TOEFL instructor who knows exactly what you need to write to earn a high score in the writing section. Relying on yourself or a teacher you know will certainly help, but you will not be able to reach your full potential without advice from an experienced instructor.
Therefore, the last tip while preparing for the TOEFL is to get help from a trained professional at TST Prep.
If you haven’t already, be sure to download TST Prep’s Complete Test #13 where you can see these sample essays and more.
Was there anything we missed?
If you have more TOEFL Writing tips, please don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments section below.
And, as always, we are here to help if you have any questions or concerns, [email protected]
Josh, I enjoyed how you empowered and equipped us, those who are preparing ourselves to do the TOEFL test. I strongly believe that I will get a good score, even if it is tough.
Hi Josh, thank you for your wonderful support. I want to ask you that for int task, while the reading passage is on history topic, should I stick to past tense or not? Like “the passage elaborates that the Greek sculpture was…”. Please provide another academic test opportunity for free like the previous one.
Hi Shreya, Thank you very much for your question. In general, you should use the tense the lecturer uses, so if the topic is about the ancient Romans, you should be writing in the past, etc.
Thanks for this invaluable article🙏🏻.
Excellent samples
Hi Josh. Thank you a lot. This post was very useful for me.
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100 Free Questions for the Listening Section of the TOEFL® Test (PDF included)
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IELTS® Speaking vs TOEFL® Speaking: Which is easier? – Interview with Aubrey Carter
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The tasks in the TOEFL Writing section are designed to assess your English competence, so you do not have to be an expert on any particular subject to do well. The raters understand that each essay is the first draft, and you will not have the chance to correct whatever mistake it is you think you have committed. It is a must that you give it your best shot.
This article is here to guide you with everything you have to know about the TOEFL Writing section to get the score that you are aiming for eventually. Please continue reading.
What is the toefl writing section, what are the purposes of toefl writing, toefl writing section question types, how are you graded in toefl writing section, grammar in toefl writing section: is it important, vocabulary in toefl writing section: is it important, tips and tricks to ace toefl writing section, toefl writing tips for acing the section on test day, additional faqs – toefl writing section.
Students applying to colleges and universities in English-speaking countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) , a standardized academic English test.
The TOEFL is primarily a set of tests, the most well-known of which are the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials . The TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) , TOEFL Junior , and TOEFL Primary exams are part of the TOEFL series.
Other TOEFL forms are only available at students’ schools. In April 2021, the TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test or Paper-Delivered Test) will be phased out.
The TOEFL iBT is a three-hour test that determines whether candidates are ready to enroll in an educational institution in an English-speaking country .
Before taking the TOEFL, many students study for 3 to 6 months. In comparison to the other tests, the TOEFL Essentials exam was created to be a less academically oriented, less challenging English test.
The TOEFL consists of four parts:
The TOEFL Writing is the last section of the TOEFL . It lasts about 50 minutes and includes two tasks: integrated writing and independent writing. Your objective is to write at least 150 – 225 words.
Your essays will be graded by numerous (usually four) raters after you finish the exam. Each essay will be graded on a scale of 0 to 5. The total of these two scores will be scaled to a score between 0 and 30, which will be your official TOEFL Writing score. The TOEFL Writing section accounts for 25% of your total score (from 0-120).
The TOEFL Writing section assesses your ability to write a well-structured essay with strong arguments, as well as your command of English syntax and vocabulary. Graders also consider development and language use as the key factors for evaluating your essays.
The TOEFL Writing aims to assess your ability to:
The TOEFL Integrated Writing and Independent Writing sections contain different types of questions. All of which require different approaches.
Here are the different question types you will encounter in the TOEFL Integrated and Independent Writing sections.
The TOEFL Integrated writing essays include both reading passages and listening portions.
You read a brief text of at least 230 – 300 words on a general or academic topic before listening to a segment of a lecture on the same subject.
You are then asked to summarize what was stated in the lecture and how it assists or weakens the concept of the reading passage in an essay prompt.
Task 1 Questions can be one of the following:
Problem passage question, three problems question.
In this TOEFL Writing question, the lecturer disagrees with the reading passage. A sample writing response provides both sides of the argument (lecture and reading passage), followed by a list of how the lecturer disagrees with the points stated in the order.
You need to determine the main theme, then explain how each point contradicts or refutes the reading text.
Example: Summarize the lecture’s points, and be sure to clarify how they cast doubt on the reading passage’s specific issues.
The paragraph in the TOEFL Writing Problem Passage question gives three solutions to a problem. The lesson, on the other hand, the lesson disproves each of the passage’s conclusions.
You have to look for the major issue and list how the lecturer disagrees with the reading passage. Then you must explain why each of the reading passage’s answers is ineffective.
Example: Summarize the points stated in the lecture and explain how they contradict specific claims/ arguments presented in the reading passage.
The reading passage specifies three difficulties in the TOEFL Writing Three Problems question. The lecture then responds and explains why these are not issues.
You need to concentrate on the points and then structure your essay. Then, throughout the lecture, connect each problem from the reading section to its solution. You have to locate the three problems, then match them with the three solutions.
Example: Summarize the arguments stated in the lecture, be sure to precisely explain how they answer the concerns raised in the reading passage.
Students produce an essay in response to a prompt on the TOEFL Independent Writing task, which can cover a wide range of general topics. There are no reading passages or lecture excerpts in this job; it is solely dependent on the essay question.
The highest-rated independent essays contain mostly at least 300 words long, as suggested by the requirements that come with the essay topic.
Task 2 Questions can be one of the following:
Preference question, multiple choice question, describe or explain question, agree/disagree question.
The TOEFL Writing Agree/Disagree question is straightforward. The question requires you to choose between agreeing and disagreeing.
Using excellent examples to back up your stance is critical for a high-scoring answer in this type of question. Feel free to draw on your own personal experiences or familiar logical arguments.
Example: Do you agree with the following statement or disagree with it? Students should prioritize studying history and literature over science and mathematics. To support your perspective, give concrete explanations and instances.
This TOEFL Writing task is similar to the ‘agree/disagree’ type of essay topic, but it is a little more challenging for the reason that you have to consider two opposing viewpoints. It is also not as common, which is a good thing.
Example: Your relatives and friends are advising you to purchase a new automobile. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of buying a brand-new car instead of a second-hand car? Use examples to explain your ideas.
The TOEFL Writing Preference question allows you to choose between two options. The subject could cover a wide range of topics. You have to pick a position and provide examples to explain why you prefer one over the other.
Example: People can now converse more easily thanks to technological advancements. Some people like to talk on the phone, while others prefer to text. Which communication method do you favor, and why?
You have a lot of choices to pick from in this type of TOEFL Writing question. To back up your answer, give concrete reasoning and instances. Choose the alternative for which you can make a compelling case.
If you have trouble deciding between two options, make a short summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each (2-3 reasons).
Make sure you can make solid decisions so you can spend more time discussing your ideas. You do not want to spend 15 minutes writing only to learn that another option would have been a better fit!
People nowadays prefer spending time away from their work and school duties. Many people take advantage of this time to go to new areas and learn more about them. What do you believe is the best approach to learn about a location you’ve never been to before?
This is, in some ways, the most challenging form of the TOEFL Independent essay question because it does not provide you with an A or B option.
Instead, you must choose your own topic from a large pool of choices.
Example: What, in your point of view, is the most vital quality that a person can possess in order to be successful in life? Explain your answer with concrete explanations and examples from your own experience.
Having the knowledge of how the TOEFL Writing is scored is a must. This way, you will be aware of the things that you need to focus more on while preparing for the TOEFL .
A score of 5 on the TOEFL Writing Integrated essay shows that the student properly inferred the most significant material from the reading and listening passages and presented their understanding in a well-organized and grammatically sound manner.
A 5 on the TOEFL Writing Independent Writing task indicates that the essay effectively addresses the prompt’s issue with a well-structured essay that makes extensive use of standard written English.
Lower-scoring test takers have failed to meet some or all of these objectives.
The only component of the TOEFL where your grammatical knowledge is directly measured in these two essays. It is the area where poor grammar has the greatest impact on the quality of your essay and total score.
When it comes to TOEFL grammar , the most important thing is correct. You may utilize sophisticated verb tenses and phrases if you are certain that you are utilizing them correctly. It is preferable to employ proper simple grammar rather than wrong sophisticated grammar.
Because arguments and examples can be laid out in Simple Past or Simple Present , there is no need to employ sophisticated language in your essays. You can also utilize gerunds and simple conditional forms, but keep it simple not just in your thesis but also in your grammar. If you are unsure, play it safe and simplify.
Here are some important grammar features to keep in mind and rely on when writing your essays:
You must master these concepts. Know the proper verb endings, review the irregular verb forms, and practice identifying little but critical errors like “People says” (“people” is plural, thus it should be “people say”).
Understand the difference between present and past perfect: Is “I have been doing” or “ I had been doing” correct? Both are correct forms of present perfect and past perfect, but depending on the context, you need to use one over the other. Make it a point that you know how to achieve it.
These will add depth to your essay by demonstrating to the assessor that you can utilize more complex sentences and express yourself in a number of ways.
This will aid in the presentation of your argument. For example, “British scientists have discovered” sounds stronger and more authoritative than “It has been discovered”.
The most crucial component of preparing to write successful TOEFL essays is developing a broad vocabulary with a wide range of words and phrases to describe your ideas and views. The more vocabulary you have, the better! You will have more ways to express your ideas if you have a larger vocabulary.
When it comes to grammar forms, playing it safe is a good technique, but not when it comes to vocabulary. Even if your grammar and structure are strong, relying on generic, basic language will result in a flat, dull essay that will not obtain the highest mark of 5 points.
Studying synonyms is one of the simplest methods to expand your vocabulary. To learn synonyms, compile a list of your most often used words and learn a handful of their synonyms using online dictionaries and other resources. In no time, you will notice progress in your writing.
Another key aspect of vocabulary development is detecting terms that you may be using wrongly. These could be similar-sounding verbs or adjectives.
To improve your knowledge and skills for the TOEFL Writing Test, you must use a variety of tactics and techniques that will help you prepare for this section of the exam. Here are a few of them:
You will be required to prove your ability to write in English in the TOEFL Writing part. To ace this part, you must first understand the test format before studying and utilizing various TOEFL tips and tactics.
The TOEFL Writing test is divided into two tasks: the TOEFL Integrated and TOEFL Independent Writing tasks , both of which require different approaches.
The TOEFL Writing Integrated Writing task requires you to summarize someone else’s ideas without using the same terms.
Learning to extract the most significant concepts and rephrasing them in your own words is a vital skill for this assignment.
The format for the TOEFL Writing portion is always the same: first, the integrated writing job, then the independent writing task. It is critical to prepare for both aspects equally.
You will always be asked to summarize and highlight content from a text and a recording in Task 1 of the TOEFL Writing portion. Take the time to practice these skills by using any English-language materials available.
Although Task 2 is more general, you can prepare vocabulary and writing structures to reply to the primary question types described above.
Before listening to a discussion on the same topic, read a text. Make a list of how the material offered is similar and different. Read a topic-related editorial.
Then talk to someone about it and pay attention to what they have to say about it. Then create a summary of the various points of view.
Look for college textbooks, language books, or online reading resources with follow-up questions after each tale or chapter to learn how to construct sentences, brief paragraphs, and short answers.
You can always ask a teacher or a friend to write you some questions if your favorite book does not include any.
One of the finest strategies to prepare is to make sure that the TOEFL Writing test is not your first time taking it.
Utilize the materials available online to practice answering questions about writing. If you do not have time to complete a full practice paper every time, organize your responses to the activities to get into the habit of tackling TOEFL Writing-style questions.
One of the secrets to TOEFL Writing success is effective time management. The Writing component necessitates a clear distinction between Task 1 and Task 2, and it is critical that you do not spend too much time on one task and wind up rushing through the other.
Before you take the exam, figure out how much time you have to devote to planning, writing, and checking.
You cannot predict which topics or questions you will be asked, but you can prepare some vocabulary ahead of time. Make a list of terms that will help you arrange your comments, explain your thoughts, and provide justifications.
All the effort and hard work you have put in while preparing for the TOEFL Writing Test will be wasted if you do not keep in mind the different tips and tricks listed below.
Ensure that you keep them in mind on the actual day of the test and you will be good to go.
Take notes as you read and listen to the TOEFL Writing Task 1 (Integrated Task) preparation material. This will act as a blueprint for your response. As you go, jot down the important points and highlight the similarities and differences between the two sources.
Remember that the major goal of TOEFL Integrated Writing is to ‘summarize the points made in the lecture’. So, if you are going to take notes throughout the reading, keep them simple and brief. Then pay close attention to the points in the reading that the lecturer chooses to discuss. And pay attention to how the instructor responds to these points.
Make sure to read the question completely in both Tasks 1 and 2. It may have two sections or a statement to interact with. Highlight the prompt words like ‘summarize’ , ‘agree or disagree’, and ‘explain ’.
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task entails summarizing the recording’s thoughts in relation to the extract’s ideas. While concentrating on the listening content, make sure to answer both questions.
Similar to Task 1, Task 2 may require you to answer a question, respond to a statement, and back up your answer with precise details. Make sure to respond to every question raised.
It is critical to prepare your responses ahead of time. As you read and listen to the prepared materials, you need to plan your response first. Make sure you plan out your response in detail for the TOEFL Independent Writing Task as well, including organization and examples.
A well-structured TOEFL Writing response will earn you a good score. Each response should have an introduction and conclusion, as well as numerous brief body paragraphs, each with a key topic and supporting detail. Paragraphs should be linked in a rational way.
For the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task, you must clarify the author’s and professor’s perspectives in your own words. As a result, it is critical to paraphrase everything. This is particularly true when it comes to the reading passage.
Remember that the reading portion will be directly in front of you as you write your essay. If you explicitly quote the author, the TOEFL system will detect this, and your score will be low.
You just have 20 minutes to create your essay for the TOEFL Integrated Writing task and 30 minutes for the TOEFL Independent Writing t ask. As a result, time management is critical. Have enough time to outline, write and revise your essay.
For this section, a good writing score range might be 18–30.
A score of 17-23 on the TOEFL Writing section would be considered fair, whereas a score of 24-30 would be considered excellent.
However, any score that meets all of your school’s TOEFL score standards is a good TOEFL Writing score for you.
No, the TOEFL Writing Test is not difficult, assuming you have a strong command of the English language.
However, if you consider yourself weak in English, it will be quite challenging. The good news is there are lots of ways on how you can prepare and study for it to eventually get the score that you desire. Just like the other things in life, practice is the key.
Before you start writing your essay for the TOEFL Writing Tasks, it is a must that you allot at least 2 minutes writing an outline. This serves as your blueprint so you will not waste any time thinking of what to write on your TOEFL Writing essays.
You do not want to write an essay only to realize that what you have written is unorganized and not properly structured.
Getting an excellent score in the TOEFL Writing is not difficult. The key is to practice.
Give yourself enough time and preparation before taking the TOEFL. Utilize the available resources and read as many English materials there are. Work on refining your grammar and vocabulary as well. Review the basics in essential writing. These are the key factors that will help you achieve the TOEFL Writing with flying colors.
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Scoring Category | Score Range | Characteristics of Essays |
---|---|---|
Task Completion | 0-5 | Addresses prompt and fully completes the task |
Language Use | 0-5 | Uses a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures accurately |
Coherence and Cohesion | 0-5 | Has a clear and well-organized structure, uses transition words effectively |
Development and Support | 0-5 | Provides specific examples and details to support ideas |
1. emphasize practice and preparation.
Importance of organization and structure.
Time management, keep pace and stay on task, proofreading and editing, revising and improving an essay, what is the highest score possible for the independent writing task, how long should my essay be for the independent writing task, is it better to write a longer essay or a shorter one for the independent writing task, are there any resources available to help me prepare for the independent writing task, what should i do if i run out of time during the independent writing task, is it possible to prepare for toefl in 10 days, key takeaways.
The best toefl writing templates for any prompt.
Even if English composition isn’t your forte, you can still earn a high score on the TOEFL Writing section by following a template. But what exactly is a TOEFL Writing template? Simply put, TOEFL essay templates teach you how to organize your thoughts, select strong pieces of evidence, and get the Writing score you want .
In this article, we’re providing you with two high-quality TOEFL essay templates for the Integrated and Independent Writing tasks. Before that, we’ll go over the differences between the two TOEFL Writing tasks and then discuss how our TOEFL essay templates can benefit you. After, we’ll teach you how to customize and use our templates.
The Writing section is the final section you’ll face on the TOEFL, and it consists of two separate tasks: an Integrated Writing task and an Independent Writing task . The Integrated task requires you to write a response comparing a lecture and an article, whereas the Independent task requires you to write an opinionated essay in which you agree or disagree with an idea.
Below, we examine the two TOEFL Writing tasks in detail.
For the Integrated task, you must read a passage on an academic topic for three minutes and then listen to a short lecture on the same topic. This lecture will either support or challenge what’s written in the passage. Your response must summarize the main points discussed in the lecture and explain how these points relate to the reading .
You’ll have a total of 20 minutes to write your response. Your response should be around 150-225 words . During this time, you may reread the passage; however, you may not listen to the lecture again.
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The score you receive for this task will be on a scale of 0-5 . According to the official rubric , a level-5 essay (i.e., a perfect essay) selects the most crucial information from the lecture and presents it in a coherent, accurate, and well-organized manner. A level-3 essay is satisfactory but overall vague, with fewer key points and several grammatical errors. Finally, a level-1 essay offers minimal coherency and fails to address any of the main points in the lecture. ETS (the creators of the TOEFL) offers several samples of scored Integrated essays online.
Below is an example of an Integrated Writing task borrowed from ETS :
Reading Passage
Critics say that current voting systems used in the United States are inefficient and often lead to the inaccurate counting of votes. Miscounts can be especially damaging if an election is closely contested. Those critics would like the traditional systems to be replaced with far more efficient and trustworthy computerized voting systems.
In traditional voting, one major source of inaccuracy is that people accidentally vote for the wrong candidate. Voters usually have to find the name of their candidate on a large sheet of paper containing many names—the ballot—and make a small mark next to that name. People with poor eyesight can easily mark the wrong name. The computerized voting machines have an easy-to-use touch-screen technology: to cast a vote, a voter needs only to touch the candidate’s name on the screen to record a vote for that candidate; voters can even have the computer magnify the name for easier viewing.
Another major problem with old voting systems is that they rely heavily on people to count the votes. Officials must often count up the votes one by one, going through every ballot and recording the vote. Since they have to deal with thousands of ballots, it is almost inevitable that they will make mistakes. If an error is detected, a long and expensive recount has to take place. In contrast, computerized systems remove the possibility of human error, since all the vote counting is done quickly and automatically by the computers.
Finally some people say it is too risky to implement complicated voting technology nationwide. But without giving it a thought, governments and individuals alike trust other complex computer technology every day to be perfectly accurate in banking transactions as well as in the communication of highly sensitive information.
Lecture Transcript
(Narrator) Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.
(Female professor) While traditional voting systems have some problems, it’s doubtful that computerized voting will make the situation any better. Computerized voting may seem easy for people who are used to computers. But what about people who aren’t? People who can’t afford computers, people who don’t use them on a regular basis—these people will have trouble using computerized voting machines. These voters can easily cast the wrong vote or be discouraged from voting altogether because of fear of technology. Furthermore, it’s true that humans make mistakes when they count up ballots by hand. But are we sure that computers will do a better job? After all, computers are programmed by humans, so “human error” can show up in mistakes in their programs. And the errors caused by these defective programs may be far more serious. The worst a human official can do is miss a few ballots. But an error in a computer program can result in thousands of votes being miscounted or even permanently removed from the record. And in many voting systems, there is no physical record of the votes, so a computer recount in the case of a suspected error is impossible! As for our trust of computer technology for banking and communications, remember one thing: these systems are used daily and they are used heavily. They didn’t work flawlessly when they were first introduced. They had to be improved on and improved on until they got as reliable as they are today. But voting happens only once every two years nationally in the United States and not much more than twice a year in many local areas. This is hardly sufficient for us to develop confidence that computerized voting can be fully trusted.
Question: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.
For the Independent task, you will write about your opinion on a certain topic . You must provide clear reasons and specific examples for why you agree or disagree with the issue or statement. (This doesn’t have to be your real opinion, though!) You’ll have 30 minutes to write your response. A typical high-scoring essay is at least 300 words .
You’ll receive a score on a scale of 0-5 . According to the official rubric , a level-5 essay effectively addresses the topic, provides clear and ample details, and contains at most only minor issues with grammar and word choice. A level-3 essay offers a generally coherent response with occasional slips in clarity. Finally, a level-1 essay offers little to no detail and contains multiple technical errors. You can look at samples of Independent essays on the ETS website.
Here is an example of an Independent Writing task taken from ETS :
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
So far we’ve covered all of the basic components of the TOEFL Writing tasks. To briefly recap, here is an overview of the Integrated and Independent Writing tasks:
3 minutes to read a passage, 20 minutes to write a response | 30 minutes to write a response | |
150-225 words | At least 300 words | |
0-5 | 0-5 | |
To summarize the main points of a lecture and compare the lecture to a passage | To explain whether you agree or disagree with an issue or statement | |
You must read a passage and listen to a lecture you begin writing. You may look at the passage as you write your response. | You do have to write about your real opinion! You may pretend to agree or disagree. |
The purpose of a TOEFL Writing template is to help you compose a detailed and eloquent essay — and of course get you a high Writing score! But what exactly is a template?
It’s easiest to think of an essay template as a skeleton . While a skeleton is the framework for a body, a template is the framework for an essay . Thus, a TOEFL Writing template highlights basic structural patterns and phrases you can integrate into your own writing. What a template doesn’t do is write your essay for you. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how you’ll add the skin and muscles (i.e., the details and supporting evidence) to your “skeleton.”
Furthermore, writing templates are typically created to suit different types of essays . For example, a template for a compare/contrast essay will differ from a template for an editorial piece. This is why it’s so important you use a writing template specifically geared toward the TOEFL!
There are three major benefits to using a TOEFL Writing template.
Using a TOEFL Writing template ensures you’ll have a focused and well-organized response . A high-quality template teaches you how to structure your response so that your introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs are all clearly defined. This way, even if your grammar and spelling aren’t perfect, your response will still have an overall strong framework that’s easy to follow.
TOEFL essay templates also show you what kinds of transitions you can use and where . Transitions are a key component of essays that allow you to connect your thoughts and progress to new ideas smoothly. Truth be told, you probably won’t score super highly on the TOEFL Writing section if you don’t use any transitions!
Another big benefit of using a TOEFL Writing template is that it saves you time on the Writing section. Since you’ll already have a sense of how you’re going to structure your essay, you’ll spend less time planning it out and coming up with transitions, openings, and closings. As a result, you’ll get more time to actually write out your response!
Lastly, a TOEFL Writing template allows you to feel more prepared on test day. Many test takers find it difficult to write out responses to English-language prompts in only 20 or 30 minutes. But TOEFL essay templates equip you with the skills you’ll need to feel more confident in your writing skills — and confidence is the first step toward getting a great TOEFL score!
In this section, we offer you a TOEFL Integrated Writing template and an Independent Writing TOEFL template . We also provide you with a handy list of key transitional words and phrases you can incorporate into your essays.
Please note that you do not need to follow these templates directly. In fact, we strongly encourage you to replace our sample words and phrases with your own . We will talk more about how to customize our TOEFL essay templates in the following section. But for now, let’s take a look at the templates!
Before we dive into our TOEFL Integrated Writing template, let’s get a quick reminder of what the Integrated task entails.
For this task, you’ll read a passage and then listen to a lecture. Your task is to summarize the lecture and explain whether the lecture challenges or supports what’s written in the passage. You’ll have 20 minutes to compose a response of around 150-225 words .
We’ll divide our template into four paragraphs: an introduction and three body paragraphs . You shouldn’t need a separate concluding paragraph for this task, as you can still score a 5 without one (plus, you likely won’t have enough time to write one!). But if you want to write a conclusion, just be sure you keep it short — two to three sentences at most.
Now, on to the TOEFL Integrated Writing template!
Your first paragraph will introduce the lecture and how it relates to the reading. This paragraph doesn’t need to be long; a simple two or three sentences should suffice.
1. Begin with a topic sentence that summarizes the main point of the lecture.
2. Next, explain whether the passage refutes or supports the main point of the lecture.
Examples (Contrast):
Examples (Agreement):
In this paragraph, you’ll want to focus on one of the key points in the lecture and explain whether the passage refutes or supports this idea.
1. Introduce the main point you’ll be discussing.
2. Next, describe this particular point in more detail and then discuss how the passage either refutes or supports it. I suggest using one to two sentences here.
3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining what this difference or similarity means .
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In this paragraph, you’ll focus on another key point in the lecture and again discuss how the passage either agrees or disagrees with this idea. The structure here is essentially identical to that of paragraph 2, so make sure you are using new transitions and varying your word choice.
1. Start by introducing the second point in the lecture you’ll be discussing. Because this is your second body paragraph, do not use transitions such as “first” or “first of all.”
2. Next, explain this key point in more detail and elaborate on how it is either refuted or supported by the passage. As with paragraph 2, I recommend using one to two sentences here.
3. Finally, explain what this difference or similarity means .
This final body paragraph will offer your last key point in addition to a brief conclusion . Once again, try to vary your transitions and words here so that your body paragraphs do not sound redundant.
1. Introduce and summarize the third point in the lecture . This is your third and final body paragraph, so do not use transitions such as “first” or “next.” Instead, use transitions such as “third,” “finally,” “last,” and “lastly.”
2. Then, explain this point in more detail and discuss whether the passage matches or challenges it. Use one or two sentences here.
3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining the significance of this similarity or difference . You should also look at this sentence as the conclusion to your entire response . Remember, you do not need to write a separate concluding paragraph for this task; it’s perfectly OK to combine it with your last body paragraph!
For this task, you will read a short prompt and then write a response explaining whether you agree or disagree with the issue or idea. Unlike the Integrated task, here you’ll be writing an opinionated response (though you do not have to write about your actual opinion).
You’ll have 30 minutes to write an essay of at least 300 words . Because this essay should be longer than the Integrated task, it’s best to use the basic five-paragraph structure, with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Note that many of the example sentences below are based on the sample Independent Writing prompt used above . This means that these sentences will not apply exactly to other prompts! So don’t simply copy the sentences onto your test; instead, use them as a general guide to help you develop a better sense of style and flow in your writing.
Now, let’s take a look at our Independent Writing TOEFL template.
In this paragraph, you’ll introduce the main issue or idea and rephrase the prompt in your own words. Then, you’ll state whether you agree or disagree with the statement and why.
1. For your first sentence, you’ll want to come up with a hook that introduces the topic of your essay in a unique and creative way. Most people start broad and then get specific . This sentence is also a great opportunity to insert a hypothetical question.
2. Next, introduce your opinion on the topic . You may list your specific reasons for your opinion here or in the following sentence(s). Remember, this doesn’t need to be your real opinion!
3. Here, state how many points (three is ideal) you’ll be discussing in your essay and then briefly summarize what these reasons for agreeing or disagreeing are . Your reasons may come from facts, predictions, personal beliefs, experiences, etc.
In this paragraph, you’ll introduce your first key point about the issue and offer specific examples illustrating why you agree or disagree.
1. For the first sentence, introduce the key point you want to talk about.
2. Next, provide an example to explain why you believe this is the case . I suggest using a hypothetical situation somewhere in your essay to help illustrate one of your points.
3. Continue your paragraph by elaborating on your example . Explain any effect or consequence of the example and discuss how this outcome supports your viewpoint.
This paragraph will follow a similar structure to that of paragraph 2, only this time you’ll discuss your second key point . To prevent this paragraph from sounding too similar to the one before it, vary your word choice and choose a different type of example on which to focus.
1. In the first sentence, introduce your second key point . Because this is your second body paragraph (and second point), make sure you employ appropriate transitions, such as “second,” “secondly,” and “next.”
2. As you did in paragraph 2, use these next few sentences to elaborate on your point and offer specific examples . Always clarify how your examples support your stance (agree or disagree) and how they relate back to the issue stated in the prompt.
This is the last body paragraph in which you will introduce and explain your third and final key point .
1. First, introduce your third point . As this is your final body paragraph, make sure you’re using appropriate transitions, such as “finally,” “last,” “lastly,” and “third,” to introduce your point.
2. As you did in paragraphs 2 and 3, elaborate on this point by providing new evidence, details, and/or examples. Explain why this point is important and how it supports your stance on the issue.
Like the Integrated Writing task, a separate concluding paragraph isn’t always necessary here . That said, if you have time, I recommend quickly wrapping up your points in a concise yet effective conclusion. One to three sentences should suffice.
1. In the first sentence or two, summarize your stance and explain why you feel this way . You may re-introduce your three main points here. You may also paraphrase the prompt and explain once more whether you agree or disagree with the issue and why.
2. Finally, if you have time, bring together your concluding paragraph with a single general statement about your viewpoint .
In addition to TOEFL essay templates, we offer you an assortment of common transitions and phrases you can use in your TOEFL responses. These words will allow your writing to flow more smoothly and connect your thoughts in a clearer, more logical manner.
To add information to a point, or to introduce a new (related) point:
To introduce an example:
To introduce an opinion:
To start a new body paragraph:
To add similar or related information:
To restate information in a shorter or clearer way:
To contrast information:
To show cause and effect:
To emphasize information:
To conclude information, a paragraph, or your overall response:
Below, we offer you a few pieces of advice to help you customize your TOEFL Writing template.
Here are two ways to customize our TOEFL Integrated Writing template.
The sample sentence and openers we’ve provided above don’t contain any specific information, so you are welcome to incorporate these examples into your own Integrated Writing response however you like.
That said, you don’t need to use these examples exactly as they are . If you’d like to tweak them, try replacing the verbs and transitions with other (synonymous) words. I also suggest adding adverbs to emphasize certain words. So for example, instead of writing, “The author, however, disagrees with this belief,” you could write, “The author, on the other hand, strongly challenges this concept.”
Just be sure that the examples you’re using in your essay fit with the type of lecture-passage relationship you’re given. Remember, this relationship can be either supportive (in which the lecture agrees with the passage) or contrastive (in which the lecture disagrees with the passage).
Most Integrated Writing tasks will give you a lecture that challenges what’s written in the passage. In these cases, it’s important you use a variety of transitions, conjunctions, and prepositions to emphasize this important contrast throughout your essay.
There is one caveat, though: do not use a single transition more than once in your response . For instance, if you were to consistently start your supporting sentences with “however,” your essay would lack balance and begin to sound redundant. So be sure to vary your word choice!
Here is a list of strong contrastive words you can use in your Integrated Writing response:
Here are three ways you can customize our Independent Writing TOEFL template.
Although the Independent Writing task asks specifically whether you agree or disagree with an idea, you do not need to write about your real opinion . What you should really do is choose the side that’s easier to argue — regardless of whether you actually agree or disagree with it!
In other words, it’s perfectly OK to make things up for this response and pretend you support something you don’t actually believe. Remember, you are not being judged on which stance you choose but on how effectively you support your stance.
For this task’s examples, I’ve primarily supplied you with whole sentences, all of which were based on the sample Independent Writing prompt used above. Because our examples refer to a specific prompt, you cannot copy these sample sentences word for word and use them in your own essay . Failing to change these sentences means your essay won’t make a whole lot of sense, if any at all!
Therefore, what you should actually be doing is using these example sentences to learn what types of details to include in your Independent Writing response. You may also use our examples to get a feel for how you can change up your sentences and word choice.
For your response, you must come up with specific details and examples to support your viewpoint. These examples can range from facts and statistics to experiences and hypothetical situations.
In order to produce a truly compelling response (and get a high essay score), you must incorporate a variety of effective examples into your essay. This means you’ll want to avoid using the same types of examples for each point you make . So if you were to discuss a personal experience for your first body paragraph, focus on a different type of detail, such as a universally accepted fact or a hypothetical scenario, for your second body paragraph.
Finally, here are four general tips for using a TOEFL Writing template effectively.
The sample sentences and openers we’ve given you for each template above contain different transitions to help link ideas together; thus, we encourage you to use a variety of transitions in your own essays . For ideas, refer to our transition list above. This list can help you swap out some of our sample transitions for other ones you believe fit better with your writing.
Ultimately, varying your word choice is critical to ensuring your essay is well written . This means that a high-scoring TOEFL essay will not simply use transitions but use them well . So if you’ve already inserted “therefore” in one area, try using “as a result” or “thus” in another area. You’ll still get the same meaning but with a stronger, more versatile effect.
Don’t feel limited by the number of sentences we’ve included in each body paragraph in our templates. If you need to use two or three sentences to explain a point, that’s OK! You should always give a lot of detail for your points — so long as you are staying concise and focused.
For example, if you spend a paragraph discussing a hypothetical scenario but fail to offer any analysis, you probably won’t receive a high TOEFL score. Likewise, if you write a verbose introduction or conclusion, your score may end up being lower than you wanted it to be.
Basically, you must find the perfect balance between detail and analysis. A good way to monitor this balance is to always try to hit the word minimum for each task . Doing this means you’ll likely have an essay that’s sufficiently detailed. Just try not to exceed the maximum or you’ll risk rambling!
Each of our TOEFL essay templates above has three body paragraphs and three main points. Although three points is a solid number of points, if you can only think of two points, just stick with those and try to support them as clearly and effectively as possible.
As you can see in the sample TOEFL essays here , many essays with scores of 2 and 3 actually address three points — but their points are altogether weak, with few supporting details and insufficient analysis. What this means is that just having three points in your essay isn’t enough to guarantee you a high essay score . Thus, it’s far better to write an essay with two strong points than three weak ones.
If you struggle with English, you might be tempted to borrow some sentences and phrases from the prompt. While it’s OK to paraphrase sentences, you should never copy exact sentences from your prompt .
Copying the prompt shows evaluators that you lack the English level necessary for writing creatively and analytically. On top of this, copying is also a form of plagiarism, which means you are essentially “stealing” another’s work.
So what does this mean for your score? If you copy entire sentences and phrases from the reading or topic, you will receive a score of 0 .
In addition to our templates above, here are a couple of online resources offering high-quality TOEFL essay templates you can use for free.
TOEFL essay templates are an especially useful component of TOEFL prep because they raise your chance of achieving a high TOEFL Writing score .
With TOEFL essay templates, you can organize your thoughts more clearly, spend less time outlining your responses, and prepare for the TOEFL with increased confidence. Our templates are also flexible , allowing you to customize certain elements to your liking and cater the templates to many different prompts.
When using a TOEFL template, always remember the following four tips:
Now that you’re equipped with our TOEFL essay templates and the knowledge of how to use them, you should have no trouble getting a great TOEFL Writing score!
Seeking additional help with the TOEFL Writing section? Start practicing with our 13 Writing topics and get information on what resources you can use for high-quality Writing topics .
What does a high-scoring TOEFL essay look like? Take a look at our analyses of two perfect-scoring TOEFL essays to learn what you can do to guarantee yourself a high essay score on test day.
Want more TOEFL templates? Check out our TOEFL Speaking templates to improve your English-speaking skills and confidence.
Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz
The Five Paragraph Essay for the TOEFL or TOEIC
Writing an essay can be a difficult enough task as it is; writing it a language that is your first language is even harder.
If you're taking the TOEFL or the TOEIC and have to complete a writing assessment, then read these instructions for organizing a great five-paragraph essay in English.
This first paragraph, made up of 3-5 sentences, has two purposes: grabbing the reader's attention, and providing the main point (thesis) of the whole essay.
To get the reader's attention, your first few sentences are key. Use descriptive words, an anecdote, a striking question or an interesting fact related to your topic to draw the reader in.
To state your main point, your last sentence in the first paragraph is key. Your first few sentences of the introduction basically introduce the topic and grab the reader's attention. The last sentence of the introduction tells the reader what you think about the assigned topic and lists the points that you're going to write about in the essay. Here's an example of a good introductory paragraph given the topic, "Do you think teenagers should have jobs while they are still students?" :
I've worked ever since I was twelve. As a teenager, I cleaned houses for my family members, made banana splits at an ice cream parlor, and waited tables at various restaurants. I did it all while carrying a pretty good grade point average in school, too! I definitely believe that teenagers should have jobs while they are still students because a job teaches discipline, earns them cash for school, and keeps them out of trouble.
Once you've stated your thesis, you have to explain yourself! The thesis in the example introduction was "I definitely believe that teenagers should have jobs while they are still students because a job teaches discipline, earns them cash for school, and keeps them out of trouble".
The job of the next three paragraphs is to explain the points of your thesis using statistics, examples from your life, literature, the news or other places, facts, examples, and anecdotes.
In each of the three paragraphs, your first sentence, called the topic sentence, will be the point you're explaining from your thesis. After the topic sentence, you'll write 3-4 more sentences explaining why this fact is true. The last sentence should transition you to the next topic. Here's an example of what paragraph two would look like:
First, teenagers should have jobs while they are still students because a job teaches discipline. When I was working at the ice cream store, I had to show up every day on time or I would have gotten fired. That taught me how to keep a schedule, which is a big part of learning discipline. As I cleaned the floors and washed the windows of my family members' homes, I knew they would be checking up on me, so I worked hard to do my best, which taught me an important facet of discipline, which is thoroughness. But being disciplined isn't the only reason it's a good idea for teenagers to work during school; it can also bring in the money!
Once you've written the introduction, explained your main points in the body of the essay, transitioning nicely between them all, your final step is to conclude the essay. The conclusion, made up of 3-5 sentences, has two purposes: to recap what you've stated in the essay, and leave a lasting impression on the reader.
To recap, your first few sentences are key. Restate the three major points of your essay in different words, so you know the reader has understood where you stand.
To leave a lasting impression, your last sentences are key. Leave the reader with something to think about before ending the paragraph. You could try a quote, a question, an anecdote, or simply a descriptive sentence. Here's an example of a conclusion:
I can't speak for anyone else, but my experience has taught me that having a job while being a student is a very good idea. Not only does it teach people to have character in their lives, it can give them the tools they need to succeed like money for college tuition or a good reputation. Sure, it's hard to be a teenager without the added pressure of a job, but with all the benefits of having one, it's too important not to make the sacrifice. Like Mike would say, "Just do it."
Even experienced writers often struggle with writing introductions and conclusions. From a thematic standpoint, they seem superfluous: if you’re going to make your point in the body, why do you have to keep repeating yourself? But a good introduction does more than just state the thesis. Here is a list of strategies to keep in mind as you craft your introduction.
In the introduction, you establish your relationship with the reader and with the subject matter. Make it clear from the very beginning what kind of essay this is going to be: will you be light-hearted? or is this a purely academic matter? If you’re planning to make an emotional appeal, start with a vivid description to get the reader emotionally engaged. The introduction is critical in making (or, let’s say, “helping”) the reader see the issue in question your way.
Generally speaking, you should present examples in your introduction in the same order in which you plan to introduce them in the body. For the TOEFL and similar kinds of essays, this is a simple matter of listing all the examples in the introduction. If you can make them seem interesting or controversial in some way, you give your reader extra motivation to read on.
One great strategy to starting your essay with style is to begin with something the reader can relate to. As mentioned above, this may be a description that allows them to visualize an image. If that’s not the best tactic for your topic, try giving an example that will relate your argument to something the reader already knows and understands. this will also give you something to relate back to at the end, making the whole essay come together into a nice, neat package.
When you have limited space to make your point, you’re not shooting for philosophical genius. So if it works, save some space by starting with a statement that makes you say “Duh—everyone knows that.” That’s kind of what I did in this post: I started with a statement that’s pretty obvious. From there, you (I hope) said “Well, yes. Why should I care?” and then you continued reading to answer that question. It’s not the most beautiful beginning in the world, but it does the trick.
This follows nicely from a lot of “duh” statements. After you’ve got your first sentence, comment on the multiplicity of positions on the issue. “While many people may agree that…, others find ….a more compelling perspective.” By doing this, you acknowledge the complexity of the issue, and hopefully you’ve enticed your reader to continue to find out the opinion to which you subscribe.
Looking for more help? Check out TOEFL Writing Practice , or sign up for Magoosh TOEFL to get access to our TOEFL writing lesson videos. 🙂
Kate has 6 years of experience in teaching foreign language. She graduated from Sewanee in 2012, where she studied and taught German, and recently returned from a year spent teaching English in a northern Russian university. Follow Kate on Google+ !
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Test Resources
Toefl® writing practice questions (2024 update), about these toefl ® writing samples, toefl integrated writing practice.
The first TOEFL writing question is the Integrated Writing Task.
You will first read an article, then listen to a lecture, and finally write an essay using details from both. Your essay should be about 280 words. You will have 20 minutes to write.
Below are some practice questions you can use to get ready for the test.
These practice questions all include a reading and lecture. They closely resemble the real TOEFL Test.
The second TOEFL writing question is the “Writing for an Academic Discussion” task. This looks like a question was posted to a university discussion group.
You will read a question posted by a professor, and then read two responses posted by students. Your job is to read everything and then answer the question. You should write about 120 words. You will have 10 minutes to do everything.
Each link below includes a complete sample question and two possible responses.
These essays are all based on questions from famous books.
( get a free evaluation in the comments )
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Worried about your performance in the TOEFL Writing Section? Follow the instructions, tips, and methods in this blog, and practice on one of the 10 TOEFL essay topics to nail your exam.
Part 1: the independent writing task, part 2: the integrated writing task, how to nail the toefl integrated writing question, integrated writing toefl essay topics, any last-minute tips.
A lot of students find the Reading, Listening, and Speaking sections of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam fairly easy. It’s the TOEFL Writing section that gives everybody a run for the woods. To reduce your nervousness and help you prepare for the TOEF L Writing section, I have included in-depth details about each question and shared tips on how to nail it. Along with that, you will also find 8 TOEFL essay topics to help you get started. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in!
The fourth and the last section of the TOEFL exam , the Writing Section measures your ability to write in English at a university level. Its aim is to test how you structure your thoughts and see if you can present them clearly (without any grammatical mistakes).
The Writing Section of TOEFL takes 50 minutes to complete and comprises of 2 questions-
While the Independent task tests your ability to organize your thoughts and express them, the Integrated task focuses on how well you can use English in class.
Let’s take a look at them one by one.
For this task, you will be asked a question on a personal topic or an issue. Depending on what the question is, you will either have to share a personal experience or give your opinion on the topic. In case it’s an issue-based topic, you will also have to give reasons and examples that support your opinion.
The question you will get will fall into one of these three broad categories-
The first two appear more commonly in exams than the third.
But no matter what the question or the question type, I have a one-stop solution for you (so excited to share this)!
1) Let’s dive straight into it – the first thing you need to do is structure your essay. And this is something you can (and should) do even before the exam begins.
2) Choose to have a limited number of paras. Start by stating the topic and your opinion, use the second and the third paragraphs to support your opinion with 2 strong points. Use examples to support these points if needed.
3) In the fourth paragraph, acknowledge that your opinion is not perfect (because it’s an opinion and not fact) and talk about the strengths of the opinion you did not pick.
4) Use the fifth paragraph to say that even though the other side has its own advantages, you prefer yours. This is a good place to add a third point in favor of your own argument.
5) Conclude with the sixth paragraph by tying up everything you have said so far and restate your opinion.
There! The perfect structure to nail your TOEFL Independent Writing task.
A few things to keep in mind-
Now that you know how to go about the Independent Writing task and have also looked at a sample answer, it’s time to practice with some TOEFL Writing samples!
I’m sharing a few TOEFL essay topics given by ETS (the official TOEFL test-takers) for you to choose from-
For this task, you will have to read a short passage, listen to a 2-minute lecture about the same topic, and write a response to what you read and listened to.
The question tests your listening, reading, and writing chops and evaluates how you would do in a real classroom. So, answer it in a way that includes the content of both the passage and the audio recording.
Here, you do not need to provide an opinion. You just have to summarize what you learned from the essay and the recording. And while you will have the passage in front of you as you write the answer, you will not be able to listen to the audio recording again. But this should not affect you in any way. Let’s see why.
The ideal way to solve this problem is to take notes. Start by reading the passage, slowly. Since it’s a short passage, the amount of time allotted will be more than enough. As you read each para, write down one sentence (of 4-5 words) describing what you learned from that paragraph. Do this for the entire passage.
When you’re listening to the audio, again make notes. Write down the primary points leading the argument in the recording.
When it’s time to start writing, take a few seconds. Collate all your points and structure your answer.
Split it into 4 paragraphs. Use the first para to state the topic, and the second one to talk about what the passage states. In the third paragraph, use points from the audio recording. And conclude with a sentence or two in the fourth para.
That’s it – you’ll have close to 250 to 300 words and you’ll have presented a clear, concise answer!
Here are TOEFL essay topics I borrowed from ETS, the official TOEFL test-takers-
Give yourself 3 minutes to read the passage.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
In an effort to encourage ecologically sustainable forestry practices, an international organization started issuing certifications to wood companies that meet high ecological standards by conserving resources and recycling materials. Companies that receive this certification can attract customers by advertising their products as “ecocertified.” Around the world, many wood companies have adopted new, ecologically friendly practices in order to receive ecocertification. However, it is unlikely that wood companies in the United States will do the same, for several reasons.
First, American consumers are exposed to so much advertising that they would not value or even pay attention to the ecocertification label. Because so many mediocre products are labeled “new” or “improved,” American consumers do not place much trust in advertising claims in general.
Second, ecocertified wood will be more expensive than uncertified wood because in order to earn ecocertification, a wood company must pay to have its business examined by a certification agency. This additional cost gets passed on to consumers. American consumers tend to be strongly motivated by price, and therefore they are likely to choose cheaper uncertified wood products. Accordingly, American wood companies will prefer to keep their prices low rather than obtain ecocertification.
Third, although some people claim that it always makes good business sense for American companies to keep up with the developments in the rest of the world, this argument is not convincing. Pursuing certification would make sense for American wood companies only if they marketed most of their products abroad. But that is not the caseAmerican wood businesses sell most of their products in the United States, catering to a very large customer base that is satisfied with the merchandise.
Read the transcript.
Narrator: Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.
Professor Well, despite what many people say, there’s good reason to think that many American wood companies will eventually seek ecocertification for their wood products. First off, consumers in the United States don’t treat all advertising the same. They distinguish between advertising claims that companies make about their own products and claims made by independent certification agencies. Americans have a lot of confidence in independent consumer agencies. Thus, ecologically minded Americans are likely to react very favorably to wood products ecologically certified by an independent organization with an international reputation for trustworthiness.
Second pointof course it’s true that American consumers care a lot about pricewho doesn’t? But studies of how consumers make decisions show that price alone determines consumers’ decisions only when the price of one competing product is much higher or lower than another. When the price difference between two products is smallsay, less than five percent, as is the case with certified wood Americans often do choose on factors other than price. And Americans are becoming increasingly convinced of the value of preserving and protecting the environment.
And third, U.S. wood companies should definitely pay attention to what’s going on in the wood business internationally, not because of foreign consumers, but because of foreign competition. As I just told you, there’s a good chance that many American consumers will be interested in ecocertified products. And guess what, if American companies are slow capturing those customers, you can be sure that foreign companies will soon start crowding into the American market, offering ecocertified wood that domestic companies don’t.
Give yourself 20 minutes to plan and write your response. Your response is judged on the quality of the writing and on how well it presents the points in the lecture and their relationship to the reading passage. Typically, an effective response will be 150 to 225 words. You may view the reading passage while you respond.
Response time: 20 minutes
Question: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on specific points made in the reading passage.
Yes, just two-
A bonus tip is this – practice, practice, practice. It will help you stay prepared for whatever question may come your way.
And if you need any help, you know where to find me! Drop a comment and let me know what I can do to help with your TOEFL essay topics. I would be more than happy to help.
All the best for your exam!
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3 thoughts on “8 toefl essay topics to prepare for the toefl exam”, see what others are saying.
Nice article. Very helpful for students who are preparing for TOEFL . Good work. Keep it up.
Nice article, this will help test takers a lot, keep it up
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It is the first writing task on the TOEFL test. First, you will have three minutes to read an article (four paragraphs, 250 to 300 words) about an academic topic. Next, you will listen to a lecture (about 2 minutes) about the same topic. Finally, you will have 20 minutes to write an essay about the relationship between the two sources.
Below is an official TOEFL Integrated Writing sample question and as well as an essay response that received a score of 5. It includes a written passage, the transcript of a conversation (which would be an audio recording on the actual TOEFL, and the essay prompt. After the prompt is an example of a top-scoring essay.
The TOEFL iBT test Writing section measures your ability to write in English in an academic setting, and to present your ideas in a clear, well-organized way. There are two writing tasks. Integrated writing task (20 minutes) — read a short passage and listen to a short lecture, then write in response to what you read and listened to.
After you complete the exam, your essays will be graded by several (typically four) graders. Each essay will receive a score from 0-5. The sum of those two scores will then be scaled to a score from 0-30, which is your official Writing score. The Writing section makes of 25% of your total TOEFL score (from 0-120).
TOEFL essay templates can help you answer both of the TOEFL writing questions. To write a strong TOEFL essay just fill in the blanks with the required information from your notes (in the integrated essay) or from your ideas (the writing for an academic discussion task). Note that I also have a set of TOEFL speaking templates.
The writing section is the final part of the TOEFL® test. You'll have about 30 minutes to answer two writing questions. They are known as the TOEFL Integrated essay, and the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion Task. You'll be graded based on your content, organization, grammar and language use. Below are links to my best stuff, or ...
TOEFL Writing Introduction. The writing section is the fourth section of the TOEFL iBT test and takes about 50 minutes to complete. It consists of two separate tasks: an Integrated Writing task and an Academic Discussion Writing task.The Independent task requires you to write an opinionated essay based on your own knowledge and experience, whereas the Integrated task requires you to write a ...
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task requires you to read a passage that is about 250-300 words long. You then must listen to a lecture that is 2 to 2.5 minutes long. The lecture will challenge or disagree with the ideas in the reading passage for TOEFL Writing Task 1. Because this task is so test-specific, it's difficult to find authentic ...
As with any TOEFL task, make sure to abide by the official time limits so that you're getting as realistic practice as possible. For Integrated Writing, this means you'll have: Three minutes to read the passage. About two minutes to read the lecture transcript. 20 minutes to plan and write a response.
Here's an expert TOEFL teacher's sample essay to this particular TOEFL Writing topic. The article introduces the topic of corn-based ethanol. More specifically, the writer discusses the advantages of switching from fossil fuels to this alternative energy source. The lecturer in the listening passage disagrees.
The last five tips are for the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion question, task number two. Here's a quick summary of our top 10 TOEFL Writing Tips. Tip #1 - Pay careful attention to the reading passage because the listening passage will argue against each point made in the reading. Tip #2 - Practice taking short, but precise notes ...
Paraphrase yourself. Don't copy and paste from either the thesis or the topic sentences when you write the conclusion. Don't introduce new arguments in the conclusion; Write about 40 words in the conclusion; Final Thoughts. That's how you write a strong TOEFL independent essay. There are a final few points that are worth mentioning here ...
Your essays will be graded by numerous (usually four) raters after you finish the exam. Each essay will be graded on a scale of 0 to 5. The total of these two scores will be scaled to a score between 0 and 30, which will be your official TOEFL Writing score. The TOEFL Writing section accounts for 25% of your total score (from 0-120). The TOEFL Writing section assesses your ability to write a ...
The TOEFL Independent writing question is the second writing task in the TOEFL Test. Test-takers will have 30 minutes to answer a question based on their personal opinion. The prompts can cover a wide range of topics, but they usually revolve around education, work, and society. While there is no specific word count requirement, it is ...
The score you receive for this task will be on a scale of 0-5.According to the official rubric, a level-5 essay (i.e., a perfect essay) selects the most crucial information from the lecture and presents it in a coherent, accurate, and well-organized manner.A level-3 essay is satisfactory but overall vague, with fewer key points and several grammatical errors.
To recap, your first few sentences are key. Restate the three major points of your essay in different words, so you know the reader has understood where you stand. To leave a lasting impression, your last sentences are key. Leave the reader with something to think about before ending the paragraph. You could try a quote, a question, an anecdote ...
By. Rachel Kapelke-Dale. on. October 19, 2015. in. TOEFL Writing Task 1 (Integrated) For many students taking the TOEFL, scoring a 5 out of 5 on each of the two TOEFL essays—which would lead to a perfect score of 30 in the writing section—is the ultimate goal. Getting there takes a lot of practice, but it pays off nicely!
Start with an example. One great strategy to starting your essay with style is to begin with something the reader can relate to. As mentioned above, this may be a description that allows them to visualize an image. If that's not the best tactic for your topic, try giving an example that will relate your argument to something the reader ...
The first TOEFL writing question is the Integrated Writing Task. You will first read an article, then listen to a lecture, and finally write an essay using details from both. Your essay should be about 280 words. You will have 20 minutes to write. Below are some practice questions you can use to get ready for the test.
5 authentic tips on how to ace the TOEFL Independent Writing question. 1) Let's dive straight into it - the first thing you need to do is structure your essay. And this is something you can (and should) do even before the exam begins. 2) Choose to have a limited number of paras.