TOEFL Writing Tips: Useful Tips to Ace TOEFL Writing Section

byShubhankar Das Content Writer - Study Abroad

TOEFL writing section examines your written communication abilities in English. The exam pattern of TOEFL has recently been updated and changed its format and timings. One of the best TOEFL writing tips is that you need to understand the updated syllabus. TOEFL writing section now consists of integrated and writing for academic discussion tasks. The total TOEFL writing section score ranges from 0 to 30 level. Achieving a score of 25+ is required for the top-ranked universities. You will be allocated 30 minutes to complete the two tasks accordingly. This section may be challenging, but by following the right TOEFL writing guides, you can ace the exam preparation. Improve your TOEFL writing techniques, grammar, and vocabulary skills to achieve a good score.

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Table of Contents

Understand the Writing Section
Writing Tips
Practice Papers
FAQs

Understand TOEFL Writing Section

Writing seems to be the most challenging part of TOEFL iBT exam. You can get a high score by mastering TOEFL writing tips and tricks. TOEFL writing includes two tasks: integrated writing and writing for an academic discussion task. Both the essays will be written on the computer and the total score will range from 0-30 level. The weightage of TOEFL writing section is 25% of the total exam score.

Sections	Exam Time	Score Range
Integrated Writing Task	20 Minutes	0-30
Writing for an Academic Discussion Task	10 Minutes	0-30

TOEFL Writing Tips

Following proven TOEFL test writing tips can help you to ace the exam preparation. TOEFL exam preparation includes reading books, solving sample papers, and taking full-length practice tests. Expert mentors from various coaching centers provide effective academic discussion and TOEFL integrated writing tips.

Practice Timed Writing

Preparing an essay for English class and writing the same on the day of the TOEFL are completely two different things. With an essay for class, you have unlimited time to prepare your ideas and pen them down carefully but when a fixed time is allotted, you are expected to think fast, write fast, and that too with no mistakes. You can become a pro in TOEFL writing only in case you practice more, especially in case you are not so good at typing on a computer keyboard. For practicing within time, you can choose a topic and set a timer for thirty minutes; make sure that you spend the entire minutes writing without any distraction.

On completion of the time, read your writing carefully and cross-check what you have written. How the grammar was and how many sentences, you were able to write, are some of the questions that you need to check in your writing. You need to practice the same many times per week as lots of practice is useful in improving the overall TOEFL score. By doing more practice, you can think about ideas faster and type your responses out more quickly.

Minutes	Tasks
0-2	Gather your notes and outline the essay
3-5	Write your introduction
6-16	Write your body paragraphs (2-3)
17-18	Write your conclusion
19-20	Edit your essay

Use Transitional Phrases

TOEFL iBT writing tips include the usage of traditional phrases. Using transitional phrases perfectly iprove your writing and leads you to a higher TOEFL score. Here are a few transitional phrases you can follow:

Purpose	Location	Transitional Phases
to sequence points and reasons	organizing points made in each passage first sentence of each body paragraph	and then, first of all, firstly, in the first place, first and foremost, firstly, secondly, thirdly, next, after that, meanwhile, lastly, later, finally, while
to elaborate (add ideas)	reporting on points from the listening passage in body paragraphs when explaining your reason, usually second sentence of the body when developing your personal example	above all, actually, additionally, as well as, as a matter of fact, in addition, believe it or not, furthermore, indeed, in fact, just as, moreover, more importantly, too
to illustrate (giving examples)	when introducing your personal example or anecdote	as an illustration, for example, for instance, I remember when, such as
to show cause and effect	towards the end of each body paragraph, when you are concluding your personal example and/or connecting your story to the topic	as a result, because, consequently, due to, hence, so, therefore, thus, for this reason
to contrast	when introducing the point of view of the listening passage in every paragraph to recognize the opposing argument in the introduction and conclusion	although, at the same time, but, contrary to, even though, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, still, when in fact, yet, whereas, besides, despite the fact that, conversely
to conclude	the conclusion paragraph the last sentence of each body paragraph the conclusion paragraph	all in all, as noted above, finally, in conclusion, in short, in the end, on the whole, to conclude, to sum up

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is essential in the writing and in case you are not able to paraphrase your sources in TOEFL Integrated Writing and use the same words mentioned in the lecture or passage instead, there are higher chances that you might lose points for copying the same content. Remember that you need to practice good paraphrasing strategies so that you can improve your paraphrasing skills and your content looks real and unique to the examiner.

Focus on Quality Rather than Quantity

Majority of the test-takers that get 4 or 5 use only one paragraph while writing their response on contrary to ones who write longer responses and get only a 2 or a 3 point. Yoour writing essay’s for TOEFL new pattern must follow the word limits. If you are using transitions and clear language, you can easily justify your response and can include all the essential details into one smooth paragraph as well.

In case your response is too long, then obviously you are in a rush and don’t get enough time to check your grammar and vocabulary.
There are higher chances that you might end up repeating the same content or add irrelevant specifics just to make the content look big.
So rather than focusing on the quantity, you need to pay attention to the quality; but of course, through too short responses, you will not be able to show off your ability to make a good argument.

Good Prewriting

So many TOEFL writing responses turn out to be disorganized mainly due to the absence of prewriting. Prewriting involves two steps including brainstorming and outlining. In the brainstorming phase, just need to pen down whatever thoughts are coming in your mind. While in outlining, you need to select the right ideas that can be used in the essay, and how well you can organize them into the right order will also be considered. The order of your outline must match a good TOEFLwriting topics essay structure which includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Focus on the Lecture

While taking up the TOEFL Integrated Writing section, always remember that the agenda of the task is to summarize the points discussed in the lecture. You need to explain how these points respond to ideas in the passage and the lecturer will repeat the most essential ideas in the passage. So in case you have penned down his/her wordings, you can easily present your ideas. Try to make notes simple and short and focus on the points in the reading the lecturer chooses to talk about. You can take more TOEFL practice tests to master in this section.

Take Good Notes

In TOEFL Integrated Writing, the notes you have written are your prewriting. The essay written by you must summarize the reading and lecture, so whatever you write it must be based on reading and lecture notes. The main focus of the notes must be the lecture instead of reading; however, the ideas from the reading are still important. The notes prepared by you must compare the author’s views with the lecturer’s views; you can write the views in the reading in one column while writing notes on the speaker’s opinion in another. Or find some other way to connect and compare the opinions of the professor and the writer in your notes to achieve a good TOEFL score range.

Use Connecting Words

The paragraphs in TOEFL Writing need to be inter-linked. The use of connecting words is extremely important. Candidates with a good grasp of the English language, and with effective preparation, can achieve the good TOEFL score in the writing section. Below are a few connecting words for you:

reasons — because, since
results — as a result, so, therefore
examples — for example, such as
comparisons — in contrast, on the other hand
a process or list — first, second, then
conclusions — in conclusion, in summary

Make Sure Your Spellings are Readable

One of the easiest ways to get a good score in TOEFL Writing section is writing those spellings that are easy to understand. In case you misspell keywords or write the wrong words, then it would become much difficult for the examiner to understand your TOEFL Writing response. Try not to use the words that have a similar sound and a similar spelling, such they might confuse the examiner. Sometimes the entire meaning of a sentence gets changes in case we misspell the word. Don’t guess the spellings of bigger words as it leads to some completely unreadable spelling choices. In case you don’t know the spelling of a particular word, you must think of a different word or phrase that has the same meaning.

Keep your Grammar Under Control

Sometimes the overall organization of an essay is just fine but the real problem comes in the individual sentences. You need to know different grammar structures in English and understand how clauses, phrases, and sentences can be structured more appropriately. By devoting more time to the TOEFL writing preparation you can have a good catch on your grammar.

Wrap-up

To do well in the TOEFL Writing section, you need to learn exactly what kinds of essays you are expected to write, what they should include, and how your responses will be calculated. While preparing for this section, prepare two essay types, take practice essays, manage your time while writing essays, and most importantly don’t forget to review your practice essays. You can checl TOEFL preparation apps and websites to ge proper feedbacks on your essay. join Adhere to the TOEFL preparation tips mentioned above that will help you to write great essays.

TOEFL Writing Practice Paper

To achieve a good TOEFL writing score, excellent TOEFL writing preparation will be needed. A few TOEFL writing practice papers of both writing tasks are included here to assist the candidates.

TOEFL Writing Practice Test 1	TOEFL Writing Practice Test 2
TOEFL Writing Practice Test 3	TOEFL Writing Practice Test 4
TOEFL Writing Practice Test 5	TOEFL Writing Practice Test 6
TOEFL Writing Practice Test 7	TOEFL Writing Practice Test 8
TOEFL Writing Practice Test 9	TOEFL Writing Practice Test 10

You need to maintain a proper word limit to achieve a good writing score. The word length of TOEFL integrated writing task is 150 to 225 words, and writing for an academic discussion task word length would be 100 words. To pass TOEFL writing section easily, you need to do regular practice with sample papers and take full-length practice tests. Maintaining the proper word length, and using a range of vocabulary and grammar, is important for a good TOEFL writing score.

FAQs

Ques: How can I improve my TOEFL writing?

Ans: To improve your TOEFL writing, read articles and summarize, listen to lectures and improve your note-taking skills, and practice grammar and vocabulary regularly.

Ques: How to score 30 in TOEFL writing?

Ans: Achieving a score of 30 in TOEFL writing may be challenging. Candidates with a good grasp of the English language, and with effective preparation, can achieve the highest TOEFL writing score.

Ques: How to write a perfect TOEFL essay?

Ans: Having a perfect plan can help you write a proper essay as the examiner wants. Always focus on writing within the word limit, stick to the prompt, and write by following the perfect format.

Ques: Is TOEFL writing difficult?

Ans: You may face TOEFL writing section challenging, but effective preparation with proper study materials can lead you to a better score range. Improve your English grammar and vocabulary skills for a good TOEFL writing score.

Ques: How to pass TOEFL writing?

Ans: To pass TOEFL writing section easily, you need to do regular practice with sample papers and take full-length practice tests. Maintaining the proper word length, and using a range of vocabulary and grammar, is important for a good TOEFL writing score.

Ques: Who checks TOEFL writing?

Ans: Your TOEFL writing answers will be checked by ETS examiners, and the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary range can be checked by the computer scoring process.

Ques: What not to do on TOEFL writing?

Ans: Here are some TOEFL writing mistakes you need to avoid: choosing bad practice papers, not focusing on grammar, not understanding the strategies, and writing too much.

Ques: How to practice writing for TOEFL iBT?

Ans: To effectively practice TOEFL writing improve your grammar and vocabulary skills. Spend at least one or two hours a day practicing writing sections by solving sample papers, and take full-length practice tests.

Ques: What is the minimum words for TOEFL writing?

Ans: You need to maintain a proper word limit to achieve a good writing score. The word length of TOEFL integrated writing task is 150 to 225 words, and writing for an academic discussion task word length would be 100 words.

Ques: What happens if my TOEFL score is low?

Ans: Many universities require the overall score, while some universities may require the sectional score. If you got a low score on the writing section, but the overall score is good, you still get admission to some of the top universities worldwide.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.