ETS TOEFL
16 Oct 2018

Academic writing Skills

In all academic situations where writing in English is required, students must be able to present their ideas in a clear, well-organized manner. The Writing section measures your ability to write English in an academic setting.

  • Often, students need to write a paper or an essay response about what they are learning in their classes. This requires combining information they have heard in class lectures with what they have read in textbooks or other materials. This type of writing is referred to as integrated writing. In this type of writing, students must:
    • take notes on what they hear and read, and use them to organize information before writing
    • summarize, paraphrase, and cite information from the source material accurately
    • write about the ways the information they heard relates to the information they read

For example, in an academic course, a student might be asked to compare and contrast the points of view expressed by the professor in class with those expressed by an author in the assigned reading material. The student must successfully draw information from each source to explain the contrast.

  • Students must also write essays that express and support their opinions. In this type of writing, known as independent writing, students express an opinion and support it based on their own knowledge and experience.

For example, students may be asked to write an essay about a controversial issue. The students use past, personal experience to support their position.

In all types of writing, it is helpful for students to:

  • identify one main idea and some major points that support it
  • plan how to organize the essay (for example, with an outline)
  • develop the essay by using reasons, examples, and details
  • express information in an organized manner
  • use effective linking words (transitional phrases) to connect ideas and help the reader understand the flow of ideas
  • use a range of grammar and vocabulary for effective expression
  • use grammar and vocabulary accurately; use idiomatic expressions appropriately
  • follow the conventions of spelling, punctuation, and layout

Description of the writing section

The total time for the Writing section is 50 minutes. Test takers write their responses to two writing tasks (see the table below). Responses are typed into the computer and sent to ETS, where they are scored by both certified raters and the automated scoring system.

Task Type Task Description
Task 1

Integrated Writing:

Read / Listen / Write

 • Test takers read a short text of about 230-300 words on an academic topic.

• Test takers may take notes on the reading passage.

• The reading passage disappears from the screen during the lecture that follows. It reappears when test takers begin writing so they can refer to it as they work.

• Test takers listen to a speaker discuss the same topic from a different perspective. The listening passage is about 230-300 words long.

• The listening passage provides additional information that relates to points made in the reading passage. Test takers may take notes on the listening passage.

• Test takers write a summary in connected English prose of important points made in the listening passage, and explain how these relate to the key points of the reading passage. Suggested response length is 150-225 words; however, there is no penalty for writing more as long as it is in response to the task presented.

• Response time: 20 minutes
Task 2

Independent Writing:

Writing from Knowledge and Experience

 • Test takers write an essay that states, explains, and supports their opinion on an issue. An effective essay will usually contain a minimum of 300 words; however, test takers may write more if they wish.

• Test takers must support their opinions or choices rather than simply list personal preferences or choices.

• Typical essay questions begin with statements such as:

 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use reasons and specific details to support your answer.

 Some people believe X. Other people believe Y. Which of these two positions do you prefer/agree with? Give reasons and specific details.

Response time: 30 minutes

If you need information about TOEFL iBT preparation, please check the following link

 

Works Cited:

  • Educational Testing Service. (2012). The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test – Fourth Edition. McGraw-Hill.

Leave a Comment