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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Writing is the last section you’ll complete on the TOEFL. You’re so close to finishing, yet you still have two essays to write before you can celebrate completing the exam. In order to finish the test on a high note, you’ll need to be prepared for this section.
In this guide, we explain the ins and outs of the Writing section and the materials you need to do well. We then go over all the best TOEFL Writing practice resources available , including free and official practice Writing topics. We'll end with final tips to keep in mind in order to ace the TOEFL Writing section.
The TOEFL Writing section is 50 minutes long (broken into two parts) and contains two tasks: Integrated Writing and Independent Writing. You’ll type both essays on the computer.
The Integrated Writing task requires you to use listening, reading, and writing skills. For this task, you will have three minutes to read a short passage, then you will listen to a short (approximately two-minute long) audio clip of a speaker discussing the same topic the written passage covers. You will have 20 minutes to plan and write a response that references both of these sources. You won’t discuss your own opinion.
For the Independent Writing task, you’ll receive a question on a particular topic or issue. You’ll have 30 minutes to plan and write a response to that topic that explains your opinion on it. You’ll need to give reasons that support your decision.
Each essay will receive a score from 0-5. The sum will then be scaled to a score from 0-30, which is your official Writing score. The Writing section makes up 25% of your total TOEFL score (from 0-120).
As you likely expect, you’ll spend most of your time on the TOEFL Writing section, well, writing. However, you’ll also need to have solid reading and listening skills for the Integrated task. Since the Writing section requires multiple skills, you’ll need multiple study tools in order to be completely prepared. Some of the most important things you’ll need to prepare for TOEFL Writing include:
In the next section, we'll go over the best TOEFL Writing practice tests and questions.
This section contains links to the top practice materials to use while preparing for TOEFL Writing. What makes a practice material the best?
Official resources are the best to use since you can be confident they’ll be very similar to the real TOEFL Writing section. The topics will be much more realistic in format and content.
Below are all the official TOEFL Writing practice materials available, both free and paid resources. ETS doesn’t provide just Writing questions, so each of these resources also have practice resources for the other sections of the TOEFL. Be sure to include at least some of these materials in your studying. The next section has more tips on how to make the most of official practice resources.
The TOEFL iBT Sampler is a program you can download with official practice questions, and it’s a great free and official resource to use. In addition to other TOEFL sections, it includes a complete TOEFL iBT Writing practice section (two tasks). Sample answers for both tasks are included so you can get an idea of what a good essay looks like. Unfortunately, the Sampler only works with Windows; you can’t download it with a Mac.
This PDF is another free and official resource. In addition to other question types, it includes two Writing tasks: one TOEFL Integrated Writing practice question and one Independent Writing practice question. Each sample TOEFL Writing topic is followed by a sample essay as well as an in-depth score explanation, which is a great tool for studiers.
The Quick Prep contains four different volumes, each of which contains one or two Writing prompts. The first volume is the best for TOEFL iBT Writing practice, since it contains two tasks (the others each only contain one) and also has an in-depth explanation of what your essays should include. The other three volumes only contain the essay rubrics without any advice on how to answer the specific essay prompt given.
TPO tests are retired TOEFL exams now offered for test prep. They give the closest experience to the real TOEFL, and, because of that, they aren’t cheap. You’ll have to pay $45 for each complete TOEFL you buy (you can’t just buy individual TOEFL iBT Writing practice sections).
Your exam will be automatically graded after you finish it, although I was not particularly impressed with how the Writing section was graded when I took it. For the actual TOEFL, two human graders and a computer program review your essays and assign grades to each one. For this exam, a computer grades your Writing section within less than a minute of you completing the exam, and there is no explanation of how that grade was determined.
This is a useful resource, but if you don’t want to spend that much money on a practice test, it’s completely possible to do well just using the above practice resources.
There are several official TOEFL prep books for sale by ETS. The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test , in addition to explaining the types of questions on the test, contains numerous practice questions and three full-length exams. This is also the only official prep book that includes sample essays of varying scores along with scoring explanations, which can be a big help if you’re trying to guess what score your essays would get.
There’s also the Official TOEFL iBT Tests Volumes 1 and 2. Each of these books contains five unique practice tests, available on paper and the computer. However, no sample responses are given for Writing questions, which make them a less useful resource compared to The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test.
You have to be more careful when using unofficial prep resources since not all of them are reliable. Some are high-quality and very similar to the TOEFL, others are not. For the Writing section in particular, because it’s so easy to make up essay prompts, there are many sites that claim to offer TOEFL Writing practice when their practice questions are actually low-quality. Below are some of the top unofficial prep resources out there. All of them (except the prep books, if you buy them) are free.
This site contains one TOEFL Integrated Writing practice task and five Independent Writing practice tasks. All six TOEFL Writing topics are similar to the real test, and the Integrated task as well as one of the Independent tasks have sample responses you can compare your answers to. At the bottom of the web page is a checklist of things your essays should include to help give you a guideline of what you should be aiming for when you write.
Magoosh offers one TOEFL Integrated Writing practice task. That’s not a lot of practice, but it is a high-quality question that includes a sample response. Magoosh also offers three complete TOEFLs, so you can use those Writing questions as well.
This site has a huge number (several hundred) of Independent Writing tasks, separated into five different categories depending on question type. Some of the questions are more simplistic than you’ll see on the real TOEFL , and there’s no scoring information or sample responses, but there are a good source if you need more TOEFL Writing topics to write about.
This site contains 155 Independent Writing tasks. Like Good Luck TOEFL, some of these TOEFL Writing topics are easier than you’ll find on the TOEFL, and there are no sample responses included, but they do give you the opportunity to practice writing.
Prep books, even unofficial ones, often are a great resource for practice questions. Most books include sample Writing questions, along with scoring explanations , and then contain one or more complete practice TOEFLs at the end of the book. You can learn all about the best TOEFL prep books by reading our guide .
There are other ways to practice besides just answering sample Writing questions. TOEFL Writing is designed to measure how strong your English writing skills are, so, any practice you get writing English will help you with this section, even if you’re not directly answering practice exam questions. There are many ways to get writing practice; several of them are described below.
Duolingo is a popular free language-learning site. Users answer different types of questions, including writing questions. You can’t choose to only answer writing questions, so this isn’t the best resource for targeted writing practice, bu t it’s a good way to strengthen your overall English skills.
For advanced English learners, many of Duolingo’s beginning problem sets will likely be too easy, but you can take a quiz to figure out where in the program you should start.
Finally, you can also practice writing about topics that have nothing to do with the TOEFL. As long as you’re writing in English, you’re getting good practice. Writing about something that interests you can also encourage you to write more. Some ideas for free writing include:
Now that you’re an expert on the best practice resources for TOEFL Writing, the next step is to put those materials to use in the most effective way in order to see results on test day. Follow these four tips in order to get the most out of your practice.
The most important thing you can do to practice for the Writing section of the TOEFL is to practice writing English regularly. If you can practice every day, that would be ideal, but at the very least you should aim to practice writing 1,000 words in English a week.
Remember, this writing practice doesn’t only have to consist of answering TOEFL Speaking questions; any free writing, even just jotting down what you did that day in your diary, counts as writing practice.
As mentioned above, official TOEFL resources have the best practice questions out there, so you want to make the most of them. Spread these questions throughout your TOEFL studying; don’t use them all up at the beginning or save them all for the end. You want to be regularly seeing these questions as you prepare.
Also, when you answer official practice questions, make sure you set enough time aside to devote your full attention to them. Practice them in a quiet room with no distractions, and carefully compare your responses to the sample responses. These aren’t the questions to practice when you have a few minutes to spare and need some quick practice while scrolling through your phone.
When you are writing practice essays, you should also time yourself. Give yourself 20 minutes to plan and write each Integrated Writing task and 30 minutes for each Independent Writing task.
Timing yourself when you write will help you be better prepared for test day because you’ll have practice planning and writing essays within a limited time frame. When you first begin writing practice essays, it can be easy to spend too much time preparing and run out of time before you finish writing. Taking timed practice essays will help you avoid this. You should also count how many words each of your essays contain after you’ve finished writing them. Integrated tasks should be 150-225 words and Independent tasks should be at least 300 words.
After you write each TOEFL practice essay, you should also review it and think about how well it answered the question. This is easier to do if the practice question comes with sample answers that you can compare your answer to, but you should do this step for all practice essays you write, even if they don’t come with any answer explanation. You can also assign your essays a score or have a tutor or friend who’s also studying for the TOEFL score your essay.
It’s tempting to take a break from TOEFL studying as soon as you’ve finished your essays, but it’s important to do this step because it will get you thinking about what great essays look like and how yours can be improved. The ETS provides the rubric it uses to grade TOEFL writing tasks which you can use to evaluate your essays.
In order to write two awesome essays for the TOEFL Writing section, you’ll likely have to put in some practice. Once you know what to expect from this section and how you’ll be graded, use a variety of official and unofficial practice resources during your studying.
As you’re preparing for the Writing section, you should also practice writing in English regularly, use official resources wisely, time yourself when writing practice essays, and review your essays after you write them.
Looking for more information on the TOEFL Writing section? Learn all the tips you need to know in order to ace TOEFL Writing !
What score should you be aiming to get on the TOEFL? Learn what a good TOEFL score is based on the schools you're interested in attending.
Looking for a great TOEFL prep book? A good prep book can be the most important study tool you use, and we have information on all the best TOEFL prep books you should consider .
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Learning to write well is a skill, like any other. This skill is important not only on your TOEFL exam, but also in your academic and professional career. The TOEFL Writing section consists of two parts:
The following free sample TOEFL essays illustrate how to get a high score on the independent writing section of the iBT. By reading through the essays, you can learn how to:
Try to write an essay each day. The added practice will enable you to complete a strong essay, with ease, confidence, and speed, on the day of your TOEFL exam and throughout your life.
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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]
Thanks for this invaluable article🙏🏻.
Excellent samples
Hi Josh. Thank you a lot. This post was very useful for me.
Hi Josh, The sample for Task 1 provided on the ETS website is a bit different from the one you wrote. It solely focuses on the lecture while only saying, “That refutes that point from reading.” Could you have a look and recommend me some tips?
Hi, thanks for your question. To add length to your essay, we suggest including a bit more from the reading section. It can also help you in making sure each point from the listening matches a point referenced in the reading.
Hi Josh, First, thanks a million for this intelligent and helpful content; you are a great tutor. I found that the time management section has a small mistake with summing the minutes suggested for each step. 2 minutes outline + 3 minutes introduction + 11 minutes body + 2 minutes conclusion + 3 minutes editing = 21 minutes!
Hi Inman, thanks for pointing that out. We will have a look. I would maybe say 2 minutes for an introduction would be better. 🙂
Great! Thanks again.
Hey Josh Thanks a lot for your time and effort. You have got a heart of gold. Lots of love from Afghanistan♥️🇦🇫
Point 7 isn’t true (but perhaps you needed just one more to make 10 tips instead of 9?) I took both sides all the time when I took the TOEFL, and got a 119 (and the reason I missed one point was the speaking, where I forgot to mention two specific examples). Cheers!
Hi Ruth and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Congrats on your score, that’s incredible. In regards to your opinion on tip #7 ” HAVE A CLEAR OPINION AND STICK TO IT”, it is not put there arbitrarily to inflate the number of tips. We have found that students who fail to have a concrete opinion tend to have difficulty developing the topic and writing with clarity. This is not always the case and you can write a perfect essay by arguing both sides of the argument, generally speaking, however, it is easier to write a clear and well-developed essay when taking one clear side of an issue.
Hello Josh. What do “int” and “ind” mean? You used these in the TOEFL Writing Transitional Phrases table without explaining them. Thanks.
Hi Rob, and my apologies. I should clarify that. The “int” stands for “integrated writing (task 1),” and the “ind” stands for independent writing (task #2).
Hello, I’m preparing for TOEFL, and I found a weird subject for the independent subject. “The average global life expectancy went from 29 years old in 1800 to 71 years old in 2015. According to you, what is the main cause for such a change?”. Do you know if it is possible to have a question like this? Thank you for your help.
Hi there and thank you for your question. This does indeed sound like a reasonable topic since anyone could have an opinion on it. It is a bit strange but definitely possible. (I’ve seen weirder). This would also be difficult because you would have to use past unreal unconditional forms and sentences like “It could have been” “might have been because”, etc. Hope that helps!
Hello Josh! How are you? Please where can I find the TOEFL Writing 24+ Guide to download?
Here is the link. Hope that helps you find what you are looking for. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-fGt9rvjklnU4v-ENUA2cE6d1fp2mt1/view?usp=sharing
Hi Josh, I’m taking my test in a few minutes. Thank you so much for the free material on the website. It has definitely helped me make my own template!
Thanks for leaving a comment Nikitha. How did the test go? I’m always interested to hear if anything was surprising/interesting/etc.
The test was alright! I haven’t received my scores yet, except for Reading (26) and Listening (29). The questions asked were congruent to the examination pattern. I couldn’t really relate to the personal opinion question asked in the speaking section. I found the reading section quite tough compared to everything else. In the end, it wasn’t so bad considering I started prep 24 hours before the exam. If I had put in the effort, I would’ve been able to do well.
Hi Josh. I’m preparing to write the TOEFL exam as a deaf test taker. I have practiced a lot, but the problem is the reading section. I can’t figure out how I answer to the reading section questions.
Have you considered seeing if perhaps you can be allowed extra time? I know in certain situations it is possible, but I’m not sure it would pertain to the Reading section. It might be worth you checking with ETS. Outside of that, have you thought about maybe taking the group reading course? I think it might really help you.
Thanks a lot for sharing the tips and the analysis, I really appreciate it!
Hello Josh, How can I have this post in PDF format? Is it possible to send me the PDF file of this post ??
Hi Erfan and thank you for asking. Unfortunately, we do not have this post in PDF format but we have our TOEFL Writing Guide which includes tips like this, along with a lot of other useful information. I think you will find this document even more helpful. Here is the link – https://drive.google.com/file/d/12JWgyMLAAUM2z4GDDpTDbMXCXelkYS0h/view?usp=sharing
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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.
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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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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
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! Scoring so high in one section can counterbalance slightly lower scores in other sections, helping you to get to your total target score with more ease (be sure to check your institution’s requirements, however; some universities will require a minimum score per section).
Because the two essays require slightly different skills, the ETS (the organization that administers the TOEFL) provides two separate rubrics for how to obtain a top score on the TOEFL essays. For those of you who are curious about the criteria for other scores, you can find that information here: at the test maker’s website . For those of you aiming to get a five, let’s keep going! Let’s start where the TOEFL writing section itself begins: with the integrated task.
The integrated essay will provide you with a lecture and a written passage on different aspects of the same topic. According to the ETS, the criteria for a top score on this essay include:
Breaking that down, the first important task in getting that top score is going to be selecting the relevant information from the lecture, and then the reading. Good note-taking is vital here, and good note-taking takes practice! Listen to the emphasis that the speaker places on keywords, and look out for the thesis statement and supporting examples in the reading. Circle them in your notes.
The second important task is relating the lecture to the reading. Look at what you’ve circled. Does one contradict the other? Build on the other? Elaborate on a different aspect of the other? Figure out how they relate before you go on to the next important step: writing a well-organized response. To do this, you’ll want to create an outline.
Make sure that your outline has your thesis statement clearly defined. This thesis statement should explain how the lecture and the reading relate to one another. You’ll also want to have a brief summary of the lecture and the reading (one to two sentences is sufficient for this!) Then, build your body paragraphs around your main examples, which you’ll already have circled in your notes.
As you write, don’t worry about everything being perfect. That said, leave 2-3 minutes at the end of the exam to proofread what you’ve written. Because these essays are graded holistically, you won’t lose points for minor errors as long as they don’t change the meaning of your ideas. However, a lot of errors can add up to a confusing essay, which will definitely lead to a lower score.
The integrated task is only one of the two essays you’ll write on test day. Next time, we’ll take a look at the independent task, and how that differs from the integrated task you’ve mastered!
Rachel is one of Magoosh’s Content Creators. She writes and updates content on our High School and GRE Blogs to ensure students are equipped with the best information during their test prep journey. As a test-prep instructor for more than five years in there different countries, Rachel has helped students around the world prepare for various standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT, and she is one of the authors of our Magoosh ACT Prep Book . Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Brown University, an MA in Cinematography from the Université de Paris VII, and a Ph.D. in Film Studies from University College London. For over a decade, Rachel has honed her craft as a fiction and memoir writer and public speaker. Her novel, THE BALLERINAS , is forthcoming in December 2021 from St. Martin’s Press , while her memoir, GRADUATES IN WONDERLAND , co-written with Jessica Pan, was published in 2014 by Penguin Random House. Her work has appeared in over a dozen online and print publications, including Vanity Fair Hollywood. When she isn’t strategically stringing words together at Magoosh, you can find Rachel riding horses or with her nose in a book. Join her on Twitter , Instagram , or Facebook !
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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.
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.
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 ...
For a simulation of the real TOEFL iBT® testing experience, try TOEFL® Practice Online. TOEFL Practice Online is the only official practice test that gives you the experience of taking the real TOEFL iBT test with real past test questions from all four sections. You will be able to review and answer authentic test questions and receive scores ...
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 ...
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).
Overview of TOEFL Writing. The TOEFL Writing section is 50 minutes long (broken into two parts) and contains two tasks: Integrated Writing and Independent Writing. You'll type both essays on the computer. The Integrated Writing task requires you to use listening, reading, and writing skills.
TOEFL Independent Writing Master Guide (2023 Update) Here's how the TOEFL Independent writing question works: It is the second writing question on the TOEFL Test. You will be asked a question about your personal opinion and be given 30 minutes to write about it. Questions can be about any topics, but they are most often about education, work ...
Directions: 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.
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.
I created 100 writing practice tests + model answers. These tasks give you practice writing for an online discussion. In addition, after each practice test, I include a model response of how you could answer. If you want me to score your practice tests, join my TOEFL Speaking and Writing Feedback Service.
end with a memorable conclusion. Try to write an essay each day. The added practice will enable you to complete a strong essay, with ease, confidence, and speed, on the day of your TOEFL exam and throughout your life. Free Sample TOEFL Essay #1. "Doing Unenjoyable Things". Free Sample TOEFL Essay #2. "Money & Success". Free Sample TOEFL Essay ...
I am obsessed with TOEFL writing, and have written several articles about how the test is scored. Check out my detailed study of the e-rater software and an update from 2020 . I worked as a researcher and textbook writer (TOEFL & TOEIC) for Hackers Education Group , one of the largest publishers of TOEFL books in Asia.
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 ...
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 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.
E-mail your completed essay in any format (or share with Google Docs) to TOEFL Resources: [email protected]. I will send a response in 48 hours. If you don't see it, remember to check your spam folder. Note for Korean Customers: New banking regulations in Korea make it impossible for you to use PayPal.
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! Scoring so high in one section can counterbalance slightly lower ...
030 96 58870. Check your IELTS essay online. Boost your IELTS writing skills in two weeks.
ESSAY AND SPEAKING EVALUATIONS Sign up now to have your practice TOEFL essays and speaking responses graded by a TOEFL expert. WRITING MASTER GUIDES Our free guides will help you master bot. Test Resources TOEFL® Resources by Michael Goodine ... Check out 70 sample TOEFL essays (both types). These are adjusted regularly for accuracy. Facebook ...
The Virtual Writing Tutor is a free online essay checker and grammar check website that helps you improve your writing.Owned and operated by ConverSolo Inc., VirtualWritingTutor.com is part of an AI revolution in language learning.. Try it now. Type a paragraph from your essay with errors in it, click "Improve writing" and Virtual Writing Tutor will correct the mistakes, reformulating the ...
Completely fill in the form below. Include the question. Read this: The question must be from this page . If it is not from that page, I will not check it. I will email your score in about 3-4 days. Check your spam folder if you don't hear from me. Your essay and score may be displayed on this page. I won't include your name, of course.