TOEFL Writing Guide

A Brief Guide To Better Integrated Essays

Contents

Expressing Opinions

Supporting A Point-Of-View

Describing

Comparing Opinions

Agreeing Or Disagreeing

Explaining "Why?"

Expressing Opinions

In this independent essay question, you will be asked state your opinion, any opinion, on a given topic. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay. A good response will usually require that you write a minimum of 300 words.

In this type of essay, you should:

Concede alternative views
State your opinion
Explain the reasons for your opinion

Conceding alternative views / Stating your opinion

In this kind of essay, you are stating a personal opinion about a general topic. It is polite to concede that other opinions also have merit. The following words and phrases express concession: although, even though, despite, and in spite of. It is a good idea to begin with a concession clause and then make a direct statement of opinion. This can be done in a single sentence.

Concession clause	Statement of preference
Although there are many wonderful places for a tourist to visit in Japan,	I think Kyoto is the best place.
Even though I would like to visit South America some day,	I would choose China if I could go abroad to work.

Explaining the reasons for your opinion

Begin with an "outline sentence" to organize your ideas for the reader.

First sentence:
Although there are many wonderful places for a tourist to visit in Japan, I think Kyoto is the best place.
Outline sentence:
There are three reasons why I believe every tourist should visit Kyoto.

Then go on to list your reasons. Use phrases such as in the first place, also, in addition, moreover, and finally to introduce each new reason. Follow each reason with an example or detail.

Example:
Although there are many wonderful places for a tourist to visit in Japan, I think Kyoto is the best place. There are three reasons why I believe every tourist should visit Kyoto.

First of all, Kyoto is one of the original capitals of Japan. Consequently, there are numerous historically important sites, such as the ancient rock garden.

Choosing And Supporting A Point-Of-View

In this independent essay question, you will be asked state your preference between two points-of-view. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay. A good response will usually require that you write a minimum of 300 words.

In this type of essay, you should:

Concede the opposing view
State your opinion
Explain the reasons for your opinion

Conceding the opposing view / Stating your opinion

In this kind of essay, you are stating a preference or choosing between two points-of-view. It is polite to concede that the opposing view also has merit. The following words and phrases express concession: although, even though, despite, and in spite of. It is a good idea to begin with a concession clause and then make a direct statement of opinion. This can be done in a single sentence.

Concession clause	Statement of preference
Although there are many advantages to driving to work,	I prefer to take the train.
Even though technology can damage the environment,	I think it causes more good than harm.
Despite the differences among countries,	I believe that the future will be peaceful.
In spite of the benefits of distance learning,	I prefer to study at a school.

Explaining the reasons for your opinion

Begin with an "outline sentence" to organize your ideas for the reader.

First sentence:
Although there are many advantages to driving to work, I prefer to take the train.
Outline sentence:
There are three reasons why I believe it is better to commute.

First sentence:
Despite the differences between countries, I believe the future will be peaceful.
Outline sentence:
There are several encouraging examples of the world becoming more peaceful.

First sentence:
In spite of the benefits of distance learning, I prefer to study at a school.
Outline sentence:
I have three main reasons for my preference.

Then go on to list your reasons. Use phrases such as in the first place, also, in addition, moreover, and finally to introduce each new reason. Follow each reason with an example or detail.

Although there are many advantages to driving to work or school, I prefer to take the train. There are three reasons why I believe it is better to commute by train.

First of all, I can use my commute time to read or study something. For example, I recently used my thirty-minute commute to prepare for a history test. Because I had time to study on the train, I did well on the test.

Describing

In this independent essay question, you will be asked to describe something, such as your favorite book. In some cases, you will be asked to describe the characteristics of something, such as a good neighbor. In these cases, you are also giving your opinion, so you may also wish to review tips for expressing opinions. Other times, you may be asked to describe some personal experience or routine. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay. A good response will usually require that you write a minimum of 300 words.

In this type of essay, you should:

State 2 - 3 major characteristics
Describe each characteristic in a separate paragraph

Stating major characteristics

Use your thesis sentence to generalize 2 or 3 characteristics about something.

Example: My hometown is small, beautiful, and very relaxing.

Here's an example of describing something based on opinion:

Example: In my opinion, a good restaurant has an extensive menu, reasonable prices, and a relaxing atmosphere.

Explaining characteristics in detail

Begin each paragraph by introducing the characteristic in general. Then add specific details in the following sentences.

Examples:

My hometown is a very small city on the Island of Hokkaido.There are only about 20,000 people living there.

I think a good restaurant should have a lot of items on the menu. For example, I like to try a variety of appetizers before my meal.

Comparing Two Points-Of-View And Supporting One

In this independent essay question, you will be asked to examine both sides of an issue and then take a stand for one side. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay. A good response will usually require that you write a minimum of 300 words.

In this type of essay, you should:

Introduce both views
Explain one side - advantages and disadvantages
Explain the other side - advantages and disadvantages
Take a stand for one of the arguments
Explain the reasons for your preference

Introducing both views

Both . . . and . . .
Some people (feel that) . . . while others (think that) . . .

Example: Both domestic travel and overseas travel are attractive options for a summer vacation.

Explaining one side - advantages and disadvantages

On the one hand, there are many advantages to . . .
One important benefit is . . .
Another advantage is . . .

Example: On the one hand, there are many advantages to staying close to home on a vacation. One important benefit is that it is far less expensive.

Explaining the other side - advantages and disadvantages

On the other hand, there are advantages to . . .
For example, .. . .
In addition, . . .

Example: On the other hand, there are many advantages to traveling abroad. For example, visiting a foreign country allows us to experience a different culture.

Taking a stand for one of the arguments

Given the advantages of both . . ., I think that . . .
After considering both sides of the issue, I believe that . . .
Both . . . and . . . have their benefits, but I think that . . .

Example: Given the advantages of both foreign and domestic travel, I would prefer to travel abroad if I had a long summer vacation.

Explaining the reasons for your preference

I think it is important to / that . . .
By . . ., (we) can . . .

Example: I think it is important to experience different cultures and environments.

Remember to support each reason with examples and details.

Agreeing Or Disagreeing

In this independent essay question, you will be asked state whether you agree or disagree with a point-of-view. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay. A good response will usually require that you write a minimum of 300 words.

In this type of essay, you should:

Concede the opposing view
State your opinion
Explain the reasons for your opinion

Conceding the opposing view / Stating your opinion

In this kind of essay, you are stating whether or not you agree with an idea or opinion. It is polite to concede that the opposing view also has merit. The following words and phrases express concession: although, even though, despite, and in spite of. It is a good idea to begin with a concession clause and then make a direct statement of opinion. This can be done in a single sentence.

Concession clause	Statement of preference
Although there are some benefits for mothers who stay at home,	I disagree with the idea that mothers should not work..
Even though some students may benefit from attending an all girls or all boys school,	I disagree that it offers a better educational experience for most students.
Despite the many brilliant thinkers from past generations,	I agree that technology helps students in today's schools learn faster.
In spite of the violence that is associated with guns,	I agree that people have a right to own them.

Explaining the reasons for your opinion

Begin with an "outline sentence" to organize your ideas for the reader.

First sentence:
Although there are some benefits for mothers who stay at home, I disagree with the idea that mothers should not work.
Outline sentence:
There are three reasons why I believe this is true.

First sentence:
Even though some students may benefit from attending all-boys or all-girls school, I disagree that it offers a better educational experience for most people.
Outline sentence:
There are several examples that show how students benefit from being in a co-ed evironment.

First sentence:
In spite of the violence that is associated with guns, I agree that people have the right town them.
Outline sentence:
I have three main reasons for my opinion.

Then go on to list your reasons. Use phrases such as in the first place, also, in addition, moreover, and finally to introduce each new reason. Follow each reason with an example or detail.

Even though some students may benefit from attending all-boys or all-girls school, I disagree that it offers a better educational experience for most people. There are several examples that show how students benefit from being in a co-ed evironment.

First of all, students can learn better social skills by being around the opposite sex. For example, a friend of mine who attended an all-boys school had severe problems dealing with women after he graduated from high school.

Explaining Why Something Is True

In this independent essay question, you will be asked to explain why you think something is true. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay. A good response will usually require that you write a minimum of 300 words.

In this type of essay, you should:

Offer two or three reasons in the introduction.
Explain each reason in separate paragraphs.

Offering reasons

This type of essay is different from most other TOEFL essays. Most essays require that you first give an opinion about something, and then offer supporting information. This type of essay starts with an idea that is generally accepted as true, so you don't have to offer an opinion. You simply have to explain why it is true. Therefore, your thesis should mention all of the reasons and your body should explain them in detail.

Example thesis: I believe that the popularity of social networking sites is due to the fact that they are easy to use, have broad appeal, and allow users to escape the real world.

Explaining reasons

Begin each paragraph by restating a reason that you mentioned in the introduction. Then offer examples or details to explain the reason.

Example: First of all, popular social networking sites are easy to use, even for people who are not good with computers. For example, my grandfather recently got his first computer. Even though he is a beginner, he has already created a profile on My Space.