Test of English as a Foreign Language

Winning TOEFL Writing Tips

February 12, 2024
TOEFL Writing Tips

TOEFL is a universally accepted entrance exam to test one's English proficiency in terms of academics. The TOEFL writing test has four major sections, writing being one of them. Writing is the fourth pillar of the TOEFL exam; a total of 50 minutes are allotted to a candidate to complete two sections. In the Integrated Writing Task (20 minutes), one is required to read a short passage, listen to a lecture, and write the necessary response to what you have comprehended from both. And, in the Independent Writing Task (30 minutes), one is required to express their honest opinion towards the questions posed. In this article, we will be particularly focusing on TOEFL writing tips and tricks to make your learning journey an easy one.

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TOEFL Writing Tips and Tricks

Mastering the TOEFL writing section is vital for you to score high on the test and pave your path towards seizing new career opportunities abroad. There are a few ways that can help you enhance your writing and lead to a good TOEFL score and result. Below, let's explore a few life-saving tips for TOEFL writing section so that you can secure a good set of scores for the same. 

1. Tip Number 1: Understand the Question and Stick to the Rubrics

To make the writing process easy in the exam, the official website has rendered a set of rubrics for candidates to adhere to while writing. This is one of the major TOEFL iBT writing tips to understand since this gives one clear instruction of what the examiner expects from the essay. One can also look up writing test examples with estimated grades online to accomplish a concrete idea of what to work towards. Additionally, understanding the essay prompt is another major point in the TOEFL writing tips guide. If you understand the query or question better, you will probably save a lot of time by writing what sticks to the relevance of the question. Drifting away from the topic may seem silly, but it often happens a lot. 

2. Tip Number 2: Pay Undivided Attention While Reading and Listening

This is one of the TOEFL integrated writing tips that permits a shorter period of time to do a lot. It seems to be an easy task, but missing out on small details might cost heavily. In this TOEFL written task, students are required to read a passage while listening to a lecture related to the same topic. Students must then explain how it supports or challenges the main points in the passage. One must carefully read and highlight the important texts and efficiently take down notes during the lecture to write the essay smartly. The reading and listening parts are interrelated; hence, to ace these sections, pay attention and take notes.

3. Tip Number 3: Avoid Quoting Authors

The next thing to follow on how to improve TOEFL writing is to avoid completely quoting the author or professor in your essay. Sometimes, candidates may quote the author from the video or passage to justify their notion, but this is not something that is praised. It is very important to paraphrase it with a good command, or the TOEFL e-rater section will detect it and deduct scores accordingly. 

4. Tip Number 4: Create an Essay Outline

One of the simplest and most efficient TOEFL iBT writing tips is to create a plan or an outline for the essay in order to stick to a relevant flow. The only reason why one must curate a plan to organise their answer is to make it easy for the examiner to understand. It is advised to take notes effectively so that you set a pre-planned flow to your answer and can write without any disruptions. One can first express the main point of the question, then justify it by backing it up with a strong, relevant opinion and then providing a suitable example for the same. Remember, the content holds a lot of weightage, but the way you present it discloses the real value of the content written.

5. Tip Number 5: Practice is Key

Practice is also one of the tips for the TOEFL written section that you must follow. This is a given at this moment; writing can only be achieved when you keep practising. This will help you discover new things and know what has to be eradicated. As one of the most important tips for TOEFL writing, the more you write, the more confident you will feel during the exam. Practice will also keep you well-prepared for the TOEFL test. Along with that, remember to time yourself, as there is a standard time limit one has to adhere to. 

6. Tip Number 6: Effective Sentences with Proper Grammar 

Candidates must possess a thorough understanding of grammar, the next TOEFL writing tip, in order to score highly on the writing portion of the TOEFL exam. This is another one of the major TOEFL writing tips. It is better to make a list of the different grammar topics and dedicate one week to each one. Students will benefit greatly from practising their knowledge with grammar-based challenges. 

7. Tip Number 7: Inculcate Transitional Phrases and Words

Transitional phrases and words are an essential part of your writing, particularly in the first TOEFL writing tips and tricks. Transitioning between different points of view is required in both the reading and listening passages. Using these remarks to segregate your thoughts is a good approach to ace your article. They will convey to the TOEFL e-rater that you are well-versed in academic essay structure.

8. Tip Number 8: Time Management

You have about 20 minutes to create your essay for the integrated writing task on the TOEFL writing test! Therefore, time management, one of the essential tips for TOEFL written section, is crucial. Another shiner from the pile of TOEFL writing tips and tricks is that one should meticulously bifurcate the time frame in preparing the outline, writing the introduction, body and conclusion, and lastly, doing a final edit before submitting. Getting all these aspects covered in a matter of 20 minutes will determine how well and timely you can space your work. 

Lastly, refer to our other articles that resonate with the same topic, such as our complete guide to TOEFL 2024 and with exam dates, results, fees and preparations. These guides are meticulous in conveying the right information and give you the nudge you need to study. The only thing we crave is to get the fruit of our hard work at the end of the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

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