Complete TOEFL Writing Independent Task Guide
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The article is all about TOEFL Independent writing task. Let’s have a look at how to qualify the exam and reach the next level of acquiring higher education in the dream universities across the world. This article will also cover the proven strategies to score well for the TOEFL independent writing task. We will also see some sample tasks and various writing methods that will help you improve and get a good TOEFL writing score. This is the Complete TOEFL Writing Independent Task Guide for your 2020 TOEFL exam preparation.
Table of Contents:
- Basic introduce to TOEFL
- TOEFL Writing section
- TOEFL Independent writing
- TOEFL Writing Rubrics Score
- Tips [Do’s and Don’ts]
- Quick recap
Complete TOEFL Writing Independent Task Guide
Introduction to TOEFL exam
The full form of TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is taken by students who wish to pursue their education abroad. It allows providing scholarships and visa application process for an individual. It is accepted in 130 countries and over 10,000 institutions and universities. It includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, the United States, across Europe and Asia.
It includes four parts Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. It is conducted by Educational Testing Services (ETS) and formulates the questions for the exam. There are two types in which the examination can be given. They are:
- TOEFL Internet –based test [iBT]
- TOEFL Paper – based test [PBT]
The test timing is 3 hours. One must plan for 3 hours and 30 minutes. The extra 30minutes are to check in the examination hall. The scores will be available after 10 days of the test.
TOEFL Writing section
This part mainly consists of writing an essay. It must be written effectively addressing a topic. It must be well-planned and organised with good supporting ideas and explanations. If a high score is to be received the essay must showcase unity, progression, coherence. It must also display the linguistic variety and good choice of words with the least grammatical error. The entire section is for 50 minutes.
It usually consists of two sections. They are:
Integrated task: 20 minutes
Read: 3 minutes
Listen: 2 minutes
Write: 15 minutes
TOEFL Independent writing task:
No. Of question: 2
Total time: 30 minutes
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Complete TOEFL Writing Independent Task Guide
TOEFL Independent writing | Structure of the essay:
So the most recommended way of writing is the 5 body structure i.e. introduction, 2-3 paragraphs for body and the last would be the conclusion.
This is the writing template which is used and is beneficial to score high marks.
- Introduction:
A high scoring answer would be splitting the introduction into two different parts. The first one would be a general which may have facts, relevant instance, and a brief history. It can also be about people’s opinion on the given topic. So it can be written in five different ways.
- Two-sided opinion about the topic.
- With general opinion.
- With factual information which can raise a question.
- Well known debate about the topic.
- Any advantage or disadvantage of the topic.
The second would be a thesis statement. It is the most important part as it would highlight the keywords which would be in the body of the essay. It also speaks about the main opinion about the given topic.
- Body paragraph:
The body paragraph has a template which can be followed:
- A transition statement
- Topic sentence
- Supporting sentence
- The body paragraph is all about writing ideas and reasons which support the thesis statement written in the introductory part. In the three paragraphs, it must have a good flow and the transition must be clear. This is known as coherence. It will also create an impression that would convince the reader. Coherence can be done with the help of transitions. Complex transitions will help to get a perfect writing score, but not essential to do well. The body paragraphs can use simple transitions:
- a. Body paragraph 1 – first of all, firstly, or to begin with
- b. Body paragraph 2 – In addition to.., secondly, or furthermore
- c. Body paragraph 3 – finally, thirdly, or lastly
- Topic sentence:
It is all about summarizing the ideas written in the paragraphs. It also helps the reader to know about the main idea of the topic also paragraph’s purpose. It is usually written after the transition.
- Supporting sentences:
They support the main idea of the essay. One statement is not enough; it is advised to use more than one supporting sentence. This can be connected with the help of transitions. These must be explained fully with the usage of reasons, examples and instances. The topic sentence has to be explained thoroughly.
- Conclusion:
This is the last thing which has to be written in the essay. A conclusion is really required for the essay. It should not be very long but just 3-4 sentences. It would also help the reader to conclude that the student has finished writing about the ideas. The conclusion should include:
- A transition state
- Restating the thesis statement
- Summing up the main ideas
Example: Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample a well-defined TOEFL Independent writing task INTRODUCTION:
Some people believe that advertisements lure us to purchase goods that are not of necessity. Others are of the view that advertising has a positive role to play in modern society, helping us choose between competing goods.
THESIS STATEMENT: In my opinion, I strongly believe that advertising encourages consumers to buy unwanted items for three compelling reasons.
BODY PARAGRAPH 1:
To begin with, advertising creates unrealistic expectations about products with exaggerated and misleading claims. It never truly shows the actual downside effects of the drugs. Similarly, beauty and health products may not live up to their promises. Disclaimers are often hidden in very small print on product packaging and in out-of-the way spots in ads.
Transition statement: To begin with
Topic sentence: Advertising creates unrealistic expectations about products with exaggerated and misleading claims.
BODY PARAGRAPH 2:
Secondly, multinational corporations create meticulously crafted ads to entice consumers to purchase their products. The fast food chain McDonald’s advertising artefacts try to lure children with toys and playrooms in order to sell kid’s meal. Vigorous advertising campaigns are promoted across channels such as TV, billboards, online and so on to grab consumer attention to purchase goods. Consequently, people become more materialistic as advertising compounds their desire to own more items.
Transition statement: Secondly
Topic sentence: Multinational corporations create meticulously crafted ads to entice consumers to purchase their products.
BODY PARAGRAPH 3:
Lastly, people cannot just choose to ignore advertising. Posters have attention grabbing words, or provocative pictures. Advertisements today are even being hidden in what seem like pieces or art or public information. As a consequence, people don’t realize they are being marketed to. By targeting people’s unconscious thoughts, adverts are a form of brainwashing that take away people’s freedoms to make choices.
Transition statement: Lastly
Topic sentence: People cannot just choose to ignore advertising because advertisers use many underhand methods to get their message across.
Sample CONCLUSION:
In closing, I firmly believe that the sole purpose of advertisements is to persuade us to buy things that we normally wouldn’t. The products that are advertised often don’t live up to the standards we have set for them because of false advertising. Finally, because of many underhand methods advertisers use in ads, we are taken away our freedoms to make choices.
Transition phrase: In closing
Restatement of the thesis statement: I firmly believe that the sole purpose of advertisements is to persuade us to buy things that we normally wouldn’t.
A brief summary of main ideas: The products that are advertised often don’t live up to the standards we have set for them because of false advertising. Finally, because of many underhand methods advertisers use in ads, we are taken away our freedoms to make choices.
TOEFL Writing Section Scores
Each individual task within the Writing section (the Integrated task and also the Independent task) is scored on a scale of 0-5, for doubtless total 10 raw points. You may receive one purpose only for finishing every task in English. The total of those scores is scaled to 0 – 30. Writing is scored by evaluating your synchronic linguistics, organization, and vocabulary, moreover because of the overall Writing quality.
N.B. The speaking and the writing section is graded my ETS – E-rater (an AI application) and also by a human. The final score is a combined score of both a machine and a human.
Complete TOEFL Writing Independent Task Guide
TOEFL independent writing task Tips [Do’s and Don’ts]:
- Do have proper equipment about spellings which would enhance the essay.
- Usage of clause, tense, phrase which should be grammatically correct.
- Do practice timed test before the examination.
- Do write qualitative answers with reasons and examples to support it.
- Do check the answer before submitting.
- Do not deny that you do not have a perspective.
- Do not mislead the examiner by moving away from the given topic.
- Do not exceed the word limit and follow the templates given.
- Do not write long essays which are irrelevant to the given topic.
Complete TOEFL Writing Independent Task Guide
Important considerations for a good TOEFL writing score
Superior Spelling:
There are quite a few words which have similar sound and spelling. But when used can change the meaning of the entire sentence. One must be well-equipped in case of spelling which can assist the examiner to understand the actual meaning of sentences.
Good Grammar:
Eventually, the entire essay ends on a good note. But when it comes to an individual statement the grammatical errors are noticed. Along with spelling, one should also know about clause, phrase, tense and the way it should be structured.
Timed test:
Before final exams, one can practice at home. Set timings for 30 minutes and follow the pattern of the exam. After that read it carefully and note grammar, spelling, sentence formation and improve on them.
Quality Not Quantity:
Often short responses receive 4-5 score and long responses receive 2-3 score. It is necessary to write with a proper structure but if the transitions and words are clearly written it would impress the examiner. Long essays might not allow checking grammar and vocabulary at the end of the exam.
Pseudo Perspective:
If there is an argument/opinion is given one must not deny that they do not have a perspective. One must invent one and write for the best they can. It must not be a point of discomfort where time is less and work is more. One should create an opinion and answer the given question.
Presenting Proposal:
It is nothing but the thesis statement. The introduction might be of lesser importance than the statement one has written. It is necessary to write a thesis with zero grammatical error. It can be written from the prompt itself i.e. the given question or topic.
Stay On The Subject:
One cannot choose or change the given topic. Most of them memorize the previously given essays and write them. But the examiner is actually looking for such answers and it would reduce the marks of the student. Honest practice and dedication will give the best results. Do not write things irrelevant to the thesis. It would lower the scores.
Revise The Response:
When mistakes can be done by great scholars, native English speakers it is usual to make an error. This can be verified at the last. So last 2-3 minutes can be utilised to verify and recheck the answer. It would also require peace of mind rather than being nervous.
The above-given strategies also include do’s and don’ts during the examination.
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A quick recap so far for TOEFL writing Independent task
- Timing : 30 minutes
- Word count: 380-400 words
- Prompts: 3 types
- Number of paragraphs: 5-6
- Grammar, spelling, revision are the most important keywords.
- The words used in strategies are to memorize.
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The article includes an example of how does the template of writing the essay works. The topics would not exactly be the same from any previous paper. It would rather be similar and include general topics of daily life. So start making notes of the given points and let’s remember,
“Proper Practice Makes Everyone Perfect”
Complete TOEFL Writing Independent Task Guide
