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TOEFL Writing Section: Tips and Strategies for Effective Preparation

TOEFL Writing Section: Tips and Strategies for Effective Preparation

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Nov 11, 2024 02:08 PM IST

TOEFL: The TOEFL exam is one of the reputed tests for your road to acquiring admission in an English-speaking country’s renowned university. The administrators have made it mandatory for all non-native English users to clear this exam so that the students are ready to adjust and succeed in their academic endeavors. In this article we will cover TOEFL exam 2025 writing section tips and strategies to get high TOEFL scores.

TOEFL Writing Section 2025: Tips and Strategies for Effective Preparation

In today's article of careers360, you will be able to grasp a lot of strategies of the TOEFL Writing section. As TOEFL writing preparation is a bit tedious task, involving the presence of both reading and listening integration, if one follows the right way TOEFL writing would become easy to score.

TOEFL- Writing Task 1 – Integrated Writing Task:- (TOEFL Writing technique)

Note: In the TOEFL writing preparation, Task -1- Passage and listening audio (lecture) will be related in a disagreement or will cast a doubt, the listening lecture is played only once so you must stay focused. You will have 20 minutes to finish the entire task.

Strategy: (TOEFL Writing Tips)

In this TOEFL writing prep, think like a reporter because you have to counter the points of the lecturer that he does for the reading passage.

· The passage will normally talk about opinion/theory/observations about a topic

· Also, it might mention the solutions

· Look, for the main idea of the passage, basically it will be in the last sentence of paragraph 1.

· Look out for the main points along with its details.

· Then, listen to the lecture.

· While listening, the speaker will disagree and cast doubt on whatever is mentioned in the passage.

· Understand the counter idea

· Understand the counter points and add in additional detail.

Structure:

In the TOEFL writing preparation- As Integrated writing task should take 20 minutes, and should have a minimum of 150 words to a maximum of 225 words, the ideal word length is 180- 190 words.

Preparing the plan:

· After making notes with the reading passage and the listening audio, you should take around 2-3 minutes on making the plan

· Plan your writing having 1/3rd of the reading passage having all the reasons stated in the passage

· Plan 2/3rd of the writing part from the listening audio listing all the negative counter points.

Now follow the 3 steps:

· start with the introduction of the topic

· Introduce the authors opinion

· Introduce the speaker’s opinion

Template:

  • The article introduces the topic of (topic) which is …. (meaning)

  • The writer says (main points)

  • However, the lecture disagrees by claiming (counter point)

  • Be careful with making appropriate reasons for the passage and how it counters in the lecture.

  • Conclusion: As you can see the author and lecturer hold very different views on… (topic)

The TOEFL Preparation Writing Section Task 2- (TOEFL Writing Technique)

Independent Writing Task

The TOEFL writing practice task 2 – essay writing should be attempted in a minimum of 300 words, the ideal word limit should be around 350-370 words. This task should be completed in 30 minutes.

Important Points for the Essay:

1. Development of the essay: The essay should have reasons, details of the reasons along with an example.

2. Organization of the essay: The essay should have a logical flow, candidates must use cohesive devices and paragraphing.

3. Language: The candidate should have accuracy in grammar (concepts like subject verb agreement, articles and parts of speech), spellings, variety in grammar range, precision, style (use of idioms and phrases)

Types of Essays:

1. Opinion based: This is one of the most frequently asked question types, candidates must either agree or disagree on a given topic.

2. Choice: In this type of essay the candidate is required to select a preference.

3. Describe and explain: Here, the candidate is expected to describe the topic in detail along with supporting points as explanation and also giving examples.

Structure: Remember that the plan and structure of each type of essay is similar.

Types of Questions in the TOEFL Writing Section

Before we start the TOEFL writing preparation, let's analyze the TOEFL writing question types. There are 2 tasks to be attempted.

1. Integrated Writing Task

· Must be completed in 20 minutes

· Involves reading passage and listening audio analyses

· Must read the given passage in 3 minutes

· Listen to the lecture (2-3 minutes)

· Listening audio is not repeated

· Reading passage will be visible again after the audio ends

· You are required to summarize the points of the audio lecture and show its relation with the points in the passage

· Showcase your ability to communicate in academic written format.

2. Independent Writing Task

· Essay writing (Argumentative or Descriptive essay)

· Must be completed in 30 minutes

Preparing the Plan: (TOEFL Writing Tips)

* You have 3 main parts to plan, that is, the introduction, the body paragraphs and the conclusion.

Tip 1: For the introduction:

· Read the question statement again

· Brainstorm your idea for the question

· Think Why am I writing this?

· Paraphrase the question statement

· Write the outline of the essay

Tip 2: For the Body paragraphs:

· Must plan 2-3 body paras

· Each para should have one main point

· Each body para should have the sub points of the main point as explanation and then these sub points should be supported with examples

· While planning the body paras, First think of suitable main points

· Once the main point is decided, think of reasons to support the main point. For this you should first think of some focus questions related to your main point, so that you are able to reason the main point strongly.

· In your plan, also mention the different connecting words you will use in all the paras.

Tip 3: For Conclusion:

· Summarizing and restate the thesis statement (outline) mentioned in the introduction and body para.

· One long sentence of conclusion is also enough

Time Management:

Remember that you just have 30 minutes to complete, so plan the essay in 15 minutes, 7-

8 minutes for typing the essay and left-over time to re-check the essay.

Ten Awesome Tips for the Writing Section of the TOEFL Test 2025

The students have to write two complete essays in 30 minutes which seems impossible.

Some top TOEFL writing tips will help you feel confident on test day.

The first five tips are for the TOEFL integrated writing question, task one. The last five tips are for the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion question, task two.

The list of 10 TOEFL Writing Tips 2025 is as follows:

  1. Be careful while reading the passage because the listening passage will argue against each point made in the reading.

  2. During listening you will allowed to listen to it once so for the listening passage you should practice taking precise notes.

  3. You should paraphrase the passage because the vocabulary is one of the grading criteria of the TOEFL and you will given zero marks if you take the exact words from the original words.

  4. To develop your essay and connect your ideas you should use phrases and the connecting words.

  5. You have to construct an essay of 250 words in just 20 minutes so you should manage your time wisely.

  6. Do not repeat ideas and points from the discussion in your answers.

  7. You should stick to simple verb tenses.

  8. You should include several sentences by adding more than one clause.

  9. Don’t forget to edit.

  10. You should practice writing at home, coaching class and ask your TOEFL trainer to give you scores and then you must work on your weaknesses.

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TOEFL 2025 e-Books for all Sections

Beyond exam preparation, TOEFL books also contribute to overall English language proficiency. They introduce vocabulary in context, model good grammar usage, and improve comprehension skills through extensive reading and listening exercises.

eBook Title

Download Now

TOEFL Reading Section 2024: Practice Tests


TOEFL Preparation tips


TOEFL Practice Test Writing


TOEFL Practice Test Speaking


TOEFL Practice Test Listening


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long will it take to excel in TOEFL Writing section?

It will ideally take 15-20 days for you to gain excellence in TOEFL Writing if you are at an intermediate level of English language. In case, you are already a good English user, then you must just check out the strategies given above and prepare on different topics, not taking more 4-5 days.

2. What should be the length of both the TOEFL writing task?

The ideal length of Task 1 (Integrated Writing) is 180 words and that of Task 2 (Independent Writing) is 350 words.

3. What type of topics are generally covered in TOEFL Writing section?

TOEFL writing section aims to prepare you for your higher studies, so normally the topics are academic in nature.

4. How can we build Vocabulary for TOEFL Writing task?

To enrich yourself with lexical resources (vocabulary), you should read and listen to authenticated English reading texts and listening podcasts.

5. Should one follow any customized plan to excel in TOEFL writing section?

Yes, you can customize your writing preparation plan, keeping in mind the weak areas you have to improve and excel.

6. How do you structure TOEFL writing?

In the TOEFL Writing section, structure your essays by beginning with an engaging introduction that provides context and states your thesis clearly. For Integrated Writing (Task 1), summarize both the reading passage and lecture, compare their main points, and support your analysis with examples. In Independent Writing (Task 2), dedicate each body paragraph to a distinct idea or argument, supported by relevant examples. Conclude by summarizing key points and reiterating your thesis. Use clear language, varied sentence structures, and transitions to enhance coherence, and proofread carefully for errors before submitting your essay. This approach ensures a well-organized and cohesive response to both task types.

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