Mastering the TOEFL Writing Section: The TOEFL Writing section can be a challenging part of the exam, but with the right strategies and practice, you can score higher than 24/30 points. In this blog post, we’ll focus on the two main tasks you’ll encounter: writing for an academic discussion and the integrated writing task. Both tasks require you to paraphrase and summarize other people’s ideas, using reporting verbs and cohesive devices to ensure your writing is clear, coherent, and academically appropriate.
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Mastering the TOEFL Writing Section: Understanding Reporting Verbs
Reporting verbs are essential for academic writing as they help you explain information from a third-person point of view. These verbs allow you to attribute information to its source, making your writing more credible and authoritative. Here are some common reporting verbs:
- Argues: “The author argues that climate change is accelerating.”
- Claims: “The professor claims that the new theory explains the data more accurately.”
- Suggests: “The research suggests that a balanced diet improves overall health.”
- States: “The article states that the economy is recovering.”
- Mentions: “The speaker mentions that technology is rapidly evolving.”
Using a variety of reporting verbs can make your writing more engaging and precise. Here are strategies to help you use these verbs effectively at the beginning, middle, and end of sentences.
Beginning of a Sentence
- According to: “According to the professor, the results were inconclusive.”
- As stated by: “As stated by the author, this phenomenon is not well understood.”
Middle of a Sentence
- The author: “The policy is flawed, argues the author, because it lacks empirical support.”
- The speaker: “More research is needed, suggests the speaker, to confirm these findings.”
End of a Sentence
- , claims the author: “This method is more efficient, claims the author.”
- , according to the research: “The new approach yielded better results, according to the research.”
Cohesive Devices for Coherent Writing
Cohesive devices are words and phrases that help connect your ideas and make your writing flow smoothly. They are crucial for organizing your thoughts and ensuring that your essay is easy to follow. Here are some examples:
- Addition: “Furthermore, the study reveals that the new drug is effective.”
- Contrast: “However, this approach has some limitations.”
- Cause and Effect: “As a result, the population has increased.”
- Example: “For instance, many students benefit from online learning.”
- Conclusion: “In conclusion, the data supports the initial hypothesis.”
Using a variety of cohesive devices can enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing. Let’s look at how you can incorporate these devices into your writing tasks.
Strategies for the Academic Discussion Task
In the academic discussion task, you’ll need to write a response to a prompt based on a reading passage and a listening clip. Here’s a strategy to approach this task:
- Read and Listen Carefully: Take notes on key points of the academic discussions.
- Plan Your Response: Outline your main points and supporting details.
- Use Reporting Verbs and Cohesive Devices: Integrate reporting verbs to attribute ideas and cohesive devices to link your points.
Example Response:
“According to the discussion, social media has a significant impact on mental health. Joan claims that excessive use of social media can lead to anxiety and depression. However, Juan argues that social media also has positive effects, such as providing support networks. Furthermore, Juan suggests that the benefits of social media outweigh the drawbacks. As a result, it is essential to find a balance in social media usage.”
Strategies for the Integrated Writing Task
In the integrated writing task, you’ll need to write a summary based on a reading passage and a lecture. Here’s a strategy to approach this task:
- Identify Key Points: Note the main ideas and supporting details from both the passage and the lecture.
- Organize Your Summary: Structure your summary logically, starting with the reading passage and then incorporating the lecture’s points.
- Paraphrase and Summarize: Use your own words to restate the ideas and include reporting verbs and cohesive devices.
Example Summary:
“The reading passage states that renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, are crucial for reducing carbon emissions. The author argues that these energy sources are both sustainable and environmentally friendly. In contrast, the lecturer points out several challenges associated with renewable energy. For instance, the lecturer mentions that the initial cost of setting up renewable energy infrastructure is high. Moreover, the lecturer suggests that the efficiency of renewable energy sources can be inconsistent due to weather conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to address these challenges to fully realize the benefits of renewable energy.”
Mastering the TOEFL Writing Section: Practice Makes Perfect
To excel in the TOEFL Writing section, practice is key. Use the strategies outlined above to practice paraphrasing, summarizing, and using reporting verbs and cohesive devices. By honing these skills, you’ll be well-prepared to write coherent and compelling writing tasks that score high on the TOEFL exam.
Good luck, and happy writing!
Michael Buckhoff, mbuckhoff@aol.com