English Language Tests

As mentioned in my review of my test day experience, here are some tips that I've collected throughout my preparation for the writing bits of the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

The writing part is the last section of the TOEFL. It has two essays: the integrated task (because you need to combine reading, listening and writing to solve it) and the independent task (you are given a statement and are asked to comment). The fact that you are required to write two essays after having spent hours on end on a chair, trying to focus on the screen, does not make it easier for you to tackle this portion of the exam. However, if you come well prepared, I guarantee you'll do just fine.

The Integrated Writing Task

OK, so in case you haven't had the chance to go through the TOEFL OG, here's the main things you need to know about this first essay. You are given a short passage with arguments regarding a certain topic, say the correct way to bake cakes. You are allowed three minutes to read this text, after which a lecture is played in your headphones. This lecture is on the same topic as the text, again with arguments. However, the arguments that you'll be hearing in the lecture will most likely be AGAINST what you've read in the text. I understand you can also receive a lecture that strengthens the points in the text, but that's comparatively more rare. You are asked to present this lecture and its relationship with the text.

Now, before I write down any other details, don't forget that THE LECTURE IS THE CENTRAL PART. That is, the lecture is "always right", so to speak. The essay that you're writing must make this as clear and obvious as possible.

The basic structure of both the text and the lecture allows for three arguments. In most cases, as mentioned above, the lecturer will try to dismiss the three arguments presented in the text by bringing new evidence to the table regarding the subject matter. The fact that both the text and the lecture are structured in this way unavoidably influences the structure of the essay you are about to write. As such, the template that worked best for me was:

Paragraph 1: Introduction - what the lecture is about and the fact that it contradicts the passage

The lecture concerns the topic of baking pies, with an emphasis on the process of preparing the dough. The speaker takes the time to explain why the three techniques described in the text are not reliable when trying to bake fluffy pies. Because of this, the information presented in the lecture directly contradicts what is stated in the text.

Paragraph 2: 1st argument

The first argument that the lecturer makes concerns the selection of the flour to be used in the process. He believes that the best flour for baking pies is whole grain flour, contending that the use of whole grain flour adds to the flavor of the pie, complementing the taste of the fruit jam. His statements are in opposition with those made in the passage, that only white flour is appropriate for fruit-based pies.

Paragraph 3: 2nd argument - same as the first

Paragraph 4: 3rd argument - same as the first

Paragraph 5: Conclusion - a rephrasing of the introduction

In conclusion, the lecturer successfully arguments against the techniques presented in the text. He does so by presenting three points about the process of baking pies, namely the selection of the appropriate flour, the best types of jam to be used and the ideal baking times.

So, five paragraphs of around 50 words each = 250 words in total, which is above the recommended value of 150 to 225 words. But, if you ask me, it's not the recommended value of words that they're most interested in, it's the connectors you use that are going to make or break your essay. I remember seeing this mentioned somewhere in an account of the computer program that analyses the AWA essays: people who use connectors write considerably better than those who do not. So here's a list you might want to use:

Opposition
In contrast to
As opposed to
Directly/blatantly/clearly opposes
This point contradicts
It is the exact/polar opposite of
A conflicting statement
He/she denies this by
It is inconsistent with

Similarity
Agrees with
It is consistent with
This supports/sustains
Offers further proof/arguments of the validity
He/she reinforces this idea by

Also, while these connectors specifically address the "supporting" or "contrasting" themes, do not forget to use other such markers, such as: besides, moreover, in addition, furthermore, however, as well as, first, second, etc.

One last thing: don't forget to be as objective as possible. For instance, is "successfully" really necessary in my conclusion? Not really, since it's not such an objective term. I am not supposed to express my feelings towards the arguments that I was given, I am just expected to summarize them in an orderly fashion. You get to be more creative/personal in the second part.

The Independent Writing Task

Here, you really need to "follow your heart". I've noticed that most topics for essays are controversial or do not have a clear cut answer: is it better to travel with a guide or by yourself? Should you have boys and girls in separate schools? Of course, the way in which you answer this second question of the writing section depends on your personal beliefs and experiences.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind though. One of the most important would be avoid general, grandiose phrases in your piece. The Official Guide for the TOEFL gives an example of such an error: "this issue of implementing another national holiday has been the subject of a heated debate" or something similar. Do you see the problem with such a general statement that the student has probably learned by heart? In my opinion, there are other topics that spark much more "real" debates than another day off: same GMAT marriages, healthcare, wars etc. It's just that you can't have a "one-size-fits-all" sort of introduction for everything.

The reason why I'm emphasizing this even though it's mentioned in the TOEFL OG is that I see people often falling into this trap, even myself! I had to write application essays to a graduate program and asked a friend to review them. He complained that they were much too general: any other candidate would have said the same thing. While it's not that big of a deal for the TOEFL as it is for admissions essays, why lose points over something you can prevent?

Another crucial point (that probably also applies to admissions essays, btw) is that you need to use examples. At least one, preferably two or three short examples will spice up your task and earn you favor by keeping the evaluator interested in what you're saying.

The structure that I use for this second essay was somewhat similar to that of the first essay: introduction, arguments (with examples and personal experiences this time though!) and a conclusion that pretty much just restates the introduction. I'm confident that this is a winning formula for the TOEFL - nothing convoluted, just your basic stuff to be easily written on test day.

Here's an example: stay at home with the parents or leave?

Introduction

In the post World War II era, the youth's eagerness to express themselves and be free from parental control gave way to the hippie age, when young adults took hold of their lives and rejected strict societal constraints. They knew that freedom came at a price though, not living under the wing of parents, but they were willing to pay that price and more. However, times have changed: former hippies eventually settled down and had their own children. This post-hippie generation enjoyed much less rigid controls, which in turn translated in them being less eager to leave the comfort of home, behavior which has somehow perpetuated to the next generations as well. In my opinion, the decision not to try to stand on your own two feet is not the wisest for a number of reasons.

First argument

Firstly, when a young adult decides to leave home, he or she will undoubtedly enjoy more freedom. No matter how permissive parents are, there will always be a set of rules of the house, some of which will surely irritate the child-to-be-adult. Leaving home means that you can establish your own set of rules to live by, with no outsider intervention of any kind: come home at whichever hour in the night, bring home as many friends as you like and the list continues.

--- add two more arguments ---

Conclusion

To sum up, I strongly believe that young adults should try to leave home immediately after college. It will be a formative experience, with benefits on both sides: parents and children. It is also proof that "the kid" is now a mature person, capable of making decisions and of taking on responsibilities.

Of course, what I have written is not without its faults - but in a short time, you can and will be forgiven for some of your mistakes.

Again, do not forget to use connectors when writing this up. Also, make sure to mark the flow of your arguments with such words as: to start off, to begin with, first and foremost, second, another argument, in addition to that, besides this, to conclude/sum up and others. Other than this, you should also probably use stuff like: in my opinion, I believe, it is my belief that, I am confident that. This time, you ARE expressing your thoughts, so don't be shy to make that shine through your essay.

So that's basically my strategy for the writing section. It seems it served me well, since I managed to get a 30/30. Of course, I am open to any comments or suggestions of improvement!