Academic Discussion Tips: In the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion task, you’ll respond to a professor’s question posted in an online discussion forum. You must analyze the prompt, engage with classmates’ opinions, and contribute your perspective in a clear and organized way. This task tests your ability to write a concise, coherent, and relevant response under timed conditions.
Academic Discussion Tips: Example Prompt and Responses
Professor’s Prompt:
“How can renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, contribute to economic growth? Please provide specific examples or counterarguments.”
Student A:
“Renewable energy promotes economic growth by creating jobs in manufacturing and installation. For instance, solar panel companies hire engineers, factory workers, and installers. Furthermore, renewable energy reduces long-term costs for businesses, improving their competitiveness.”
Student B:
“While renewable energy creates some jobs, it also threatens industries like coal mining, causing job losses. A balanced approach is essential, where investments in renewables are matched with support for workers transitioning from traditional industries.”
Academic Discussion Tips Based on the TOEFL iBT® Writing Rubric
To score higher than 24/30 points, your response should demonstrate the following:
- Relevance and Elaboration:
Address the prompt directly, adding well-elaborated explanations, examples, or details.Example Response:
“Renewable energy can significantly boost economic growth. For instance, Germany’s investments in wind farms have revitalized rural areas, creating thousands of jobs while reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Moreover, lower energy costs allow businesses to reinvest savings into innovation and expansion.” - Variety and Precision in Language:
Use varied sentence structures and precise, idiomatic expressions.Example Response:
“Adopting renewable energy isn’t merely an environmental choice; it’s an economic strategy. By diversifying the energy portfolio, countries can mitigate risks associated with volatile oil prices, ensuring stable growth.” - Grammar and Lexical Accuracy:
Ensure minimal errors, maintaining clarity even under time pressure.Example of Minor Errors:
“Renewable energy sources like solar power are cost-effective in the long run, even though there initial investment is high.” (“there” instead of “their” is acceptable as a typo.)Avoidable Errors:
“Renewable energy are the most important things for a country to grow.” (Subject-verb agreement issue detracts from clarity.)
Key Strategies for Success
- Read and analyze the prompt thoroughly before writing.
- Organize your response logically, ensuring a strong introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Include relevant examples and clear reasoning.
- Review your work for common errors or typos.
Using these strategies and examples as a guide will help you achieve a high score on this task!
Michael Buckhoff, mbuckhoff@aol.com