3. Writing Section Integrated Task Independent Task Essay Planning (*)
Tips
(*) for the Independent Task

4. Writing Section: Based on: Reading passage and related lecture.
TASK:
INTEGRATED WRITING TASK
INDEPENDENT WRITING TASK
Based on:
Reading passage and related lecture.
Your own knowledge and experience.
Type of Task:
Summarize and compare lecture and passage.
Give your opinion of an issue.
Timing:
Reading: 3 min. Lecture: 2 min. Writing: 20 min.
30 minutes.
Length Recommended
200 words.
300 words.

5. Writing Section: Entering & Editing the Tasks on the Computer:
 All typing is done on the computer;
 There are no spell check or grammar check tools;
 Simple editing tools: cut, paste and undo.

6. Integrated Task: The Passages & Lectures:  Academic Subjects;
 Describe a theory, a concept, a problem, an issue, a system of classification or a process.

7. The Integrated Writing Task - Skills Needed:
 Note-taking of a lecture and reading a passage;
Finding main ideas & key points;
 Summarizing texts;
 Paraphrasing;
 Synthesizing material;
 Writing coherently and accurately;
 Simple editing tools: cut, paste and undo.

8. Integrated Task:
 You must write about the relationship between passage & lecture;
 You must summarize the information;
 You must paraphrase;
 You must cite information used in your response;
 You must synthesize (connect) the passage & lecture.

9. Restatement of the Concept:
Passage Lecture
Statement of the Concept:
Restatement of the Concept:
1. Corresponding negative point
1. Positive point
2. Corresponding negative point
2. Positive point
3. Positive point
3. Corresponding negative point
1. Negative point
1. Corresponding positive point
2. Negative point
2. Corresponding positive point
3. Negative point
3. Corresponding positive point

10. Independent Task: Prompt (topic): Defend an opinion;
 Common contexts: education, the future, technology, travel, friendship, sports and games, entertainment, business, family, communication and transportation.
 Types of prompts:
Defend an opinion;
Agree or disagree with a statement;
Explain the importance of a development, invention or phenomenon.
Samples

11. Defend an opinion:
“Some people prefer to work for a company, while others prefer to work for themselves.”
Discuss the advantages of each position.
Then indicate which one you prefer and why.

12. “Time should never be wasted.”
Agree or disagree with a statement:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
“Time should never be wasted.”
Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.

13. Explain the importance of a development, invention or phenomenon:
“Development in transportation such as the automobile has had an enormous impact on modern society.”
Choose another development in transportation that you think is of great importance.
Use specific examples and reasons for your choice.

14. Independent Task: Length: 300 words Timing: 30 minutes
Suggested distribution of time:
 Pre-writing (reading the prompt; thinking about the prompt; brainstorming and note taking; writing an informal plan) - 5 minutes
 Writing the essay - 20 minutes
 Checking the essay (looking for and correcting problems) - 5 minutes

15. Writing the essay: Activating commands Read the essay prompt
Type the essay in this space

16. These are the 100 essay titles which may come up in the test.
To have a look at all the essay titles which may be set in the TOEFL, access the ETS Bulletin, via this link:
These are the 100 essay titles which may come up in the test.

17. Tactics:
Before the test, decide whether you’re going to word process the essay or handwrite it.
Be familiar with the directions so that you don’t waste time reading them.
Pace yourself by using the clock on the screen.
Read the prompt carefully. You must write exactly what is asked for.
Before writing, spend a couple of minutes thinking about the topic.

18. Tactics:
Follow a clear, logical organization (introduction, development and conclusion).
Always support your statements. Use concrete examples and specific reasons.
Use connectors to indicate transitions.
If you handwrite your essay, write legibly.
Finish writing your essay a few minutes early so that you have time to proofread what you wrote.

19. Essay Planning: Reading and Analysing Essay Writing Prompts: Analysis
Sample 2
Some people believe that schools should primarily teach students how to best compete with others. Other people believe that schools should primarily teach students how to cooperate with others. Which of these approaches do you favor? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Analysis

20. This prompt says that there are two opinions regarding educational philosophy: it can either emphasize competition or cooperation. I need to state which of these opinions I’ll support If I support cooperation: I need to show how cooperation will be useful later on in life, e.g. being able to work with one’s colleagues If I support competition: I have to show the advantages of being a competitive person in different areas of life.
Alternatively, I could write that a good education should teach people to cooperate and also be strong competitors.

21. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Sample 2
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Professional athletes such as football stars and entertainers such as singers and actors are paid too much money for the work that they do.
Use specific details and examples to support your answer.
Analysis

22. Possibilities:
Provide a number of reasons why athletes and entertainers make far too much money for what they do, especially when compared with people who contribute much more to society than they do.
Justify the large salaries. Argue that like any other worker, they receive the salary that people are willing to give them. They also entertain people and bring a lot of enjoyment to them.

23. Sample 3:
Your hometown has just received a grant from an international organization to fund one single improvement project. Which of the following would you recommend to receive the funding?
Give specific examples and reasons to support your recommendation.
the city airport
the local schools
the fire department
the public transportation system
the police department
the city parks
the streets and roads
the local hospitals
the art museum
Analysis

24. The prompt says that I can fund any one of a variety of city services.
To write this essay, I need to decide what service my hometown needs most.
E.g.:
If there’s a high crime rate, it’s possible to make a good case for funding the police department.
It’s possible to explain the funding of schools or hospitals, because most communities need improvements in education and health care.

25. Get the readers’ attention;
Tips on Writing the Independent Task:
Introduction:
Get the readers’ attention;
Restate the ideas of the prompt;
Present a clear statement of the main idea of the essay (thesis statement).

26. Tips on Writing the Independent Task:
The body:
Topic sentence
Supporting sentence
details / reasons / examples / personal experiences
Supporting sentence
details / reasons / examples / personal experiences

27. Tips on writing the Independent Task:
The conclusion:
To present / restate the thesis statement;
To summarize the main points presented in the body;
To show the significance of the points made in the body;
To present one last compelling reason why the writer’s opinion is the correct one.
end

28. Credits
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The Complete Guide to the TOEFL®iBT