TOEFL Writing Templates 2023: TOEFL Essays Simplified

TOEFL iBT is a commonly accepted English-language exam applicable worldwide for work, study and immigration. It becomes easy to pass this test when one knows about the two specific tasks provided here and their respective TOEFL writing templates. It teaches an individual how to incorporate vital pieces of evidence, organise thoughts and get the desired score. One may keep reading to get a clear understanding.

Overview of Integrated and Independent Writing Tasks

Below is a brief overview of both integrated and independent writing tasks. Candidates must know about it to avoid failure due to misconceptions.

[table id=221 /]

What are TOEFL Independent Writing Tasks?

Under independent writing tasks, an individual has to write about his or her view on a particular question. The writings must contain reasons behind such opinions along with examples to support the statement. One will be allotted 30 minutes to complete this task. Individuals should remember to produce an essay length of at least 300 words to achieve a high score. However, they must try to keep it between 350 to 400 words. 

Now, before moving onto the Independent TOEFL writing template, here is a closer look at the different question types that one may face:

• Agreement or disagreement question
• Preference questions like whether one prefers A or B
• The supportive or opposite question 
• Descriptive question
• Imaginative question referring to a scenario
• Comparative or contrasting question

What is the TOEFL Writing Outline of Independent Writing Task?

Individuals must structure it into five paragraphs to impress checkers through their independent writing task. It includes an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion. However, as candidates may have to write about six different types of prompts, it is impossible to maintain a single template. 

Still, how a student should write in general is covered under this independent TOEFL writing outline table mentioned below:

Independent TOEFL Writing Template

The following is a template containing suggestions of useful phrases of TOEFL writing for Independent tasks that one can use:

[table id=222 /]

Introduction

Sentence 1 – The Hook

A candidate must try to hook the reader by incorporating an interesting sentence in the first line. However, it must be in a way that introduces the topic. For example, ‘Most people don’t know about the fact that’.

Sentence 2 – Opinion

The second line of the paragraph must contain one’s main point of argument. So, individuals may start it with ‘According to my belief’.

Sentence 3 – Transition

Next, candidates must make a smooth transition to direct the reader to look into the next section. It can be something like ‘There are many reasons behind this feeling which one can uncover in the next section’.

Body 

Sentence 1 – Topic Sentence

First, one needs to summarise the supporting reason mentioned earlier. For this purpose, he or she can use phrases like ‘To begin with’.

Sentence 2 & 3 – Explanation

Applicants must now justify their reason by providing a reasonable explanation without discussing their personal experiences here. 

Sentence 4 – Transition 

Now, it is time to include a transition by mentioning, ‘Let’s refer to a chapter of my personal experience to support this reason’.

Sentence 5 – Personal Example 

In the sixth sentence, candidates must provide an example of their real life experience to strengthen their argument. 

Conclusion

Sentence 1 – Restatement of the Thesis

In conclusion, candidates must paraphrase their thesis mentioned earlier by starting the sentence with ‘To sum up, I strongly believe’.

Sentence 2 – Summarise ideas

To summarise ideas, individuals can use the phrase ‘This is because of reasons like’.

What are TOEFL Integrated Writing Tasks?

In integrated writing tasks, candidates 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. 

Individuals have 20 minutes to complete this task and compose an essay of 150 to 225 words. Apart from this, candidates also get 3 minutes to read the passage. Here there are two scenarios one may encounter. It includes:

• Contradictory: The lecture may contradict what is mentioned in the reading paragraph.
• Supportive: The lecture can also support the key idea of the passage.

What is the TOEFL Writing Outline of Integrated Writing Task?

Ideally, a good scoring integrated TOEFL writing section template contains four paragraphs, one introduction paragraph and three body paragraphs. Here there is no need to incorporate a conclusion. However, if one wants to write it anyway, it should not exceed the two to three sentences limit. 

TOEFL writing outline for the integrated writing task is shared in the following table:

[table id=224 /]

Integrated TOEFL Writing Templates

When considering the integrated category of TOEFL writing templates, one must structure according to this pattern below:

Introduction 

Sentence 1 – Context

Candidates must introduce the essay by explaining how the lecture relates to the passage. For this purpose, they can start with a sentence like ‘We can see both lecture and passage talks about’.

Sentence 2 – Topic Sentence

Here, applicants can provide a topic sentence starting with ‘According to the lecture’.

Sentence 3 – Agreement or Disagreement 

Next, individuals can continue by mentioning whether the lecture supports or refutes the passage’s main point. They can simply use: 

If contradictory: ‘In contrast to the lecture, the author of the passage shares’.

If agreed: ‘Similar to the lecturer’s view, the author thinks’.

Body 

Sentence 1 – The point

In the body, the candidate must discuss each point individually. For example, if Body 1 explains the first point, he or she should explain the second and third points in Body 2 and 3, respectively. The starting note can be:

Body 1: According to the paper

Body 2: Furthermore

Body 3: Last of all

Sentences 2 to 4 – Agreement or Disagreement

At this point, one needs to discuss the points in detail and how the passage supports or refutes them. For this purpose, he or she can use phrases like:

• ‘In this article, it is said that’.
• ‘Similarly, the author thinks that’.
• ‘The lecturer refutes it by saying’.  

Sentence 5 – Meaning

One must conclude by providing appropriate meaning to the similarity or dissimilarity mentioned. For example, he or she can use sentences like ‘This similarity/difference means’.

Lastly, one may or may not include a conclusion. 

Conclusion

This piece provides a clear conceptual understanding of TOEFL writing templates followed in integrated and independent writing tasks. Knowing the same can boost a candidate’s score and save a lot of their time. So, students pursuing the TOEFL exam for studying abroad must refer to each section carefully.

[faq-schema id=”7968″]