How to Structure Your TOEFL Essay
Get full points on the organization section of your TOEFL essay by following the steps in this lesson.
Independent Essay Writing
In TOEFL-iBT Writing section for Independent task, the test taker is expected to write an essay in response to a question that asks to state, explain, and support the test taker’s opinion on an issue. The time limit is 30 minutes.
An effective essay will have at least 300 words. The test taker needs to show his ability to write well which includes the development of ideas, organization of essay, and the quality and accuracy of the language used in expressing the ideas.
There are five (5) types of essay questions that may come out in the test.
1. Agree / Disagree
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
2. Preference
Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you
prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
3. If/Imaginary (Hypothetical)
If you were an employer, which kind of worker would you prefer to hire: an inexperienced worker at a lower salary or an experienced worker at a higher salary? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer
Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
5. Comparison and Contrast
It has been said, “Not everything that is learned is contained in books.” Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why?
The following video explains the five essay categories and two essay patterns you need to know to succeed in the Independent Essay Writing task of the TOEFL iBT.
Learn the Keys to Essay Success
Success at essay writing depends on you, but only if you know what matters!
This is an essential lesson from an experienced teacher who has examined thousands of essays. If you are planning to take a test or simply want to improve your essay writing skills, don’t miss these keys to higher English grades.
Integrative Essay Writing
Tips and strategies to succeed in this writing section of the TOEFL iBT.
You will then learn how to approach the reading and listening sections, how to take notes, and finally, how to write a summary that will get you a high score. Practice this method as much as you can before writing your TOEFL exam and you WILL succeed.