TOEFL Writing Templates 2024: TOEFL Essays Simplified

TOEFL iBT is a commonly accepted English-language exam that is applicable worldwide for work, study, and immigration. Familiarising yourself with the tasks in the writing section makes it easier to score well. One effective way to enhance your writing skills is to use TOEFL writing templates for both tasks, which can help structure your responses more effectively.

In the TOEFL exam, the writing section consists of 2 tasks- integrated and independent writing tasks. The Integrated writing tasks generally involve reading a passage and then listening to a speaker discussing the same topic. Following this, you must write an essay that incorporates information from both sources. 

Independent writing tasks prompt you to express your opinions on a given topic based on your own knowledge and experience.

Therefore, it’s important to know tips and ways to attempt both of the TOEFL writing tasks. 

Key Highlight.

What is the TOEFL Independent Writing Task?

The TOEFL Independent Writing Task is an essay question on the TOEFL exam. You are required to write an essay expressing your opinion on a specific topic. This task is designed to assess the test-taker’s ability to organise and present ideas coherently and structuredly within a limited time frame.

Some of the question types for this task are given below:

1. Agreement/Disagreement Questions:
In these questions, you’ll be given a statement or opinion and asked whether you agree or disagree with it. Your task is to clearly state your position and back it up with solid reasons and examples.
For instance, you might be asked, “Do you agree or disagree that technology has made life easier?” In your essay, you explain your stance, providing supporting arguments.

2. Preference Questions:
These questions ask you to choose between two options, such as different activities, methods, or situations. You’ll need to justify your preference with well-thought-out reasons and examples.
For example, you might encounter a question like, “Do you prefer to study alone or in a group? Why?” Your response should detail your choice and the reasons behind it.

3. Supportive/Opposite Questions:
Here, you’ll be asked whether you support or oppose a particular idea or proposal. You should choose one side and provide compelling reasons and examples to justify your position.
An example might be, “Should universities require students to take courses outside their major fields of study?” Your essay would need to argue in favour of or against this idea, using clear reasoning.

4. Descriptive Questions:
Descriptive questions require you to describe a specific situation, experience, or concept in detail. Your focus should be on providing a clear, vivid description supported by specific examples.
For example, you might be asked to “Describe an important decision you made in your life.” Your response would involve narrating that decision and explaining its significance.

5. Imaginative Questions:
These questions prompt you to imagine a scenario and describe what you would do or how you would react. You’re encouraged to be creative and explain your thoughts and actions clearly, backed by logical reasons.
For instance, you might be asked, “If you could live in any historical period, which one would you choose and why?” Your essay will explore your choice and the reasons behind it.

6. Comparative/Contrasting Questions:
In comparative or contrasting questions, you’ll be asked to compare or contrast two ideas, situations, or concepts, highlighting their similarities and differences. Your task is to discuss both options, pointing out key differences or similarities and supporting your comparison with examples.
For instance, you could be asked to “Compare the advantages of living in a city versus the countryside.” Your response should explore both environments, emphasising their respective benefits.

Independent TOEFL Writing Template

Introduction

Opening Sentence: Start with a general statement or background information related to the topic.

Thesis Statement: Clearly state your position or opinion on the topic.

Outline of Reasons: Briefly mention the main reasons that support your opinion. 

Body

Topic Sentence: Begin with your first reason, seamlessly integrating the other reasons as you progress through the paragraph. 

Explanation and Expansion: Elaborate on how this reason supports your thesis and smoothly transition into the next point. 

Examples: Provide specific examples that illustrate and support your points, ensuring they flow naturally within the paragraph. 

Concluding Sentence: End the body section by reinforcing how these reasons collectively support your thesis. 

Conclusion

Restate Thesis: Summarise your position in different words. 

Summary of Main Points: Recap the reasons discussed in the body section. 

Closing Statement: End with a strong final thought or a call to action. 

How to Use Independent TOEFL Writing Template in Sample Answer?

Question: Do you prefer to study alone or in a group? Why?” Your response should detail your choice and the reasons behind it.

Sample Answer

I prefer to study alone rather than in a group. The main reason for this preference is that studying alone allows me to focus entirely on the material without distractions. When I study alone, I can control my environment and set my own pace, which is crucial for deep understanding. For instance, if I encounter a difficult topic, I can spend as much time as necessary to grasp it fully without feeling rushed. This flexibility enhances my learning experience and ensures that I thoroughly comprehend the subject matter.

Additionally, studying alone promotes self-discipline and independence. It requires me to rely on my abilities to find answers and solve problems, strengthening my critical thinking skills. Over time, this practice of self-reliance has helped me become more confident in my academic abilities. I’ve found that I’m more likely to retain and apply information effectively when I’m responsible for my learning.

While group study has its advantages, such as sharing ideas and gaining different perspectives, it often leads to distractions and off-topic conversations. In a group setting, discussions can sometimes veer off course, leading to wasted time and less productive study sessions. Moreover, coordinating schedules and managing differing study habits can be challenging, often resulting in less efficient time use.

In conclusion, while group study can benefit some, I believe that studying alone offers more advantages for my learning style. The ability to focus without distractions and the development of self-discipline and independence make solitary study my preferred method. This approach has consistently yielded positive results in my academic performance, reinforcing my preference for studying alone.

What are TOEFL Integrated Writing Tasks?

In integrated writing tasks, you will first have to read a paragraph and listen to a lecture. The main task here is to summarise whatever one listens to in the lecture and how it relates to the information given in the paragraph. 

The main focus is on how well you can integrate the content from both the reading and the lecture to form a clear, concise, and accurate summary that highlights the relationship between the two sources.

Apart from this, you also get 3 minutes to read the passage. 

Here, there are two scenarios one may encounter. It includes:

• Contradictory: When a lecture contradicts the content of the reading passage, it means that the information conveyed in the lecture opposes or conflicts with the information presented in the reading material.
  
• Supportive: On the other hand, when a lecture is supportive, it means that it reinforces or backs up the main idea or concepts discussed in the reading passage. This implies that the lecture provides additional evidence or explanation to strengthen the key points in the reading material.

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Integrated TOEFL Writing Template

Introduction

• Briefly introduce the main topic of the reading and the lecture. 
• Mention the main argument or viewpoint of the reading and how the lecture contrasts or supports it.

Body Paragraph

1. First Point from the Reading and Lecture’s Response

• Summarise the first point made in the reading.
• Explain how the lecture contradicts or supports this point.

2. Second Point from the Reading and Lecture’s Response

• Summarise the second point made in the reading.
• Explain how the lecture contradicts or supports this point.

3. Third Point from the Reading and Lecture’s Response

• Summarise the third point made in the reading.
• Explain how the lecture contradicts or supports this point.

Conclusion

• Briefly summarise how the lecture responds to the reading’s points.

How to Use Integrated TOEFL Writing Template in Sample Answer?

Question: Summarise the points made in the lecture, explaining how they cast doubt on the points made in the reading passage.

Sample Answer

The reading passage suggests that hydrogen fuel cells are an ideal solution to the world’s energy problems due to their clean emissions, abundant sources, and high efficiency. However, the lecture challenges these claims by highlighting several practical issues. 

Firstly, the lecture argues that the production of hydrogen is energy-intensive and often depends on fossil fuels, which diminishes its environmental benefits. 

Secondly, the lecturer points out that the current infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation is insufficient and would require significant investment to develop. 

Lastly, the lecturer contests the reading’s claim about efficiency, explaining that hydrogen fuel cells often lose energy during conversion, making them less efficient in real-world applications. These points raise doubts about the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cells as a sustainable energy solution, directly contradicting the optimistic view presented in the reading passage.

Wind Up

Doing well in the TOEFL Writing section is all about practice and structure. Using a clear template helps you stay organised and ensures that you cover all key points. Remember to plan your essay before writing, stick to the word limit, and proofread for any mistakes. 

Practice regularly to improve your timing and confidence. If you need more guidance or personalised coaching to ace exams like IELTS or want to know the admission process for your dream university, consider calling LeapScholar today for expert tips and resources.

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