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“Understanding the
TOEFL Independent
Writing task and how
to prepare for it
...
By
preparing for this task, you can show your
proficiency in the language and take one step closer
to your academic or professional goals
...
Get
ready to showcase your writing prowess and ace the
TOEFL independent writing task!”

1
...

Understand the format" means knowing what essay the independent
writing task asks you to write
...
This means you
will be given a topic and asked to either express your opinion on it or
present an argument based on the prompt
...
)
"Is home-schooling a better option than traditional education?" (In this
prompt, the writer is asked to express their opinion on the
effectiveness of home-schooling compared to traditional education
...
)
"Is the death penalty an effective crime deterrent?" (In this prompt, the
writer is asked to present an argument for or against the effectiveness
of the death penalty as a deterrent to crime
...

High School Exams - Independent writing tasks are commonly used in
high school exams to evaluate students' writing skills and ability to
understand and respond to prompts
...

In summary, understanding the independent writing task format is
crucial to responding effectively and scoring well on the prompt
...
Time limit: You have 30 minutes to write your essay
...
You have 30 minutes to write your essay
...

Examples:
"You have 30 minutes to write your essay on the impact of technology
on society
...
)
"You have 20 minutes to write your argument for or against the
mandatory use of school uniforms in all schools
...
)

Use Cases:
Standardized Tests - Independent writing tasks are commonly found in
standardized tests, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, where the time limit is
set to evaluate the writing ability of the test taker under timed
conditions
...

Professional Writing - In professional settings, such as business writing
or journalism, time limits are often set to ensure that tasks are
completed efficiently and within deadlines
...
Practical time
management skills are essential to complete the task successfully
...
Length: Your essay should be at least 300 words long
...

This requirement is essential because essays that are longer will not
adequately address the prompt, while shorter essays may need to be
fully developed or may wander off-topic
...
" (In this example, the length requirement for
the independent writing task is 300 words
...
" (In this example, the length
requirement for the independent writing task is 300 words
...

High School Exams - Independent writing tasks in high school exams
often have a minimum length requirement to ensure that students
have fully developed their ideas and responded effectively to the
prompt
...

In summary, the length requirement for the independent writing task is
critical to consider as it affects the quality and completeness of the
essay
...
A minimum length of 300 words is a good
target for providing a well-developed and complete response to the
prompt
...
Grading criteria: Your essay will be evaluated based onfour4 factors:
task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and
grammatical range and accuracy
...

Your essay will be assessed based on four main criteria: task response,
coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and
accuracy
...
This includes the clarity of your thesis
statement and the relevance and accuracy of your supporting
arguments
...
This includes using appropriate transition
words and the logical flow of ideas throughout the piece
...

This includes the use of advanced words and phrases and the accuracy
of your word choice
...


Examples:

"Your essay on the impact of technology on society will be graded
based on task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and
grammatical range and accuracy
...
)
"Your argument for or against the mandatory use of school uniforms in
all schools will be evaluated based on task response, coherence and
cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy
...
)
Use Cases:
Standardized Tests - Grading criteria are commonly used in
standardized tests to evaluate the writing ability of the test taker
...

Classroom Settings - Teachers may use grading criteria to evaluate the
writing abilities of their students, including factors such as task
response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical
range and accuracy
...

In conclusion, the grading criteria for the independent writing task are
an essential aspect to consider as they determine the overall quality

and effectiveness of the essay
...
Understanding
and adhering to these criteria can help ensure a high-quality essay that
meets the requirements of the prompt
...
Know the prompt: Read the prompt carefully and make sure you
understand the task before writing
...
This is important because you
need to fully understand the prompt to write an essay that does not
fully address the task
...
" (In this
example, the writer is advised to read the prompt carefully and ensure
they understand the task before writing their essay
...
Read the prompt carefully and
make sure you understand the task before you begin writing
...
)
Use Cases:

Standardized Tests - Knowing the prompt is critical in standardized tests
as it ensures that the test taker understands the task and can write an
essay that fully addresses the prompt
...
This helps students write a relevant, well-structured essay that
fully addresses the prompt
...
This helps ensure
that the written piece is relevant, well-structured, and fully addresses
the task
...
Taking
the time to read the prompt carefully and understand the task before
starting to write helps ensure that the final product is a high-quality
essay that fully addresses the prompt
...
Plan your essay: Spend 2-3 minutes planning your paper, including
your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
...
This includes deciding what your introduction, body
paragraphs, and conclusion will be about
...

Examples:

"Before you start writing your essay on the importance of recycling,
take some time to plan your essay by outlining the structure of your
introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
...
)
"The key to writing a successful essay on the effects of climate change
is to plan your essay before you begin writing
...
" (In this example, the writer is being advised to take some
time to plan their essay before writing
...
It helps ensure that the final product is well-organized and easy
to follow, which is essential in educational settings
...
This can help ensure that the final product is
well-structured and flows smoothly
...

This is important in a professional environment as it makes it easier for
the reader to understand the message
...
It helps ensure that the final product is wellorganized, easy to follow, and efficiently conveys the writer's message
...
Introduction: Start with a clear thesis statement and provide
background information to develop your argument
...
Your
introduction should start with a clear thesis statement, which states the
main point of your article
...

Examples:
"The introduction of your essay on the benefits of exercise should start
with a clear thesis statement, such as 'Regular exercise has numerous
physical and mental health benefits that make it an important part of a
healthy lifestyle
...
)
"In your introduction to your essay on the impact of technology on
society, you should start with a clear thesis statement, such as 'The
rapid advancement of technology has had both positive and negative
effects on society, and it is important to consider both to determine its
overall impact
...
)
Use Cases:
Academic Writing - A clear and well-crafted introduction is essential as
it provides context for the reader and sets the stage for the rest of the
essay
...

Professional Writing - A clear and well-crafted introduction is also
essential as it provides context for the reader and sets the stage for the
rest of the essay
...
A
clear and well-crafted introduction can help engage the reader and
make it easier for them to understand the essay’s main point
...
Body Paragraphs: Develop your argument with specific examples and
evidence, and use transition words to link your ideas together
...
Each body paragraph should focus on a
specific point that supports your thesis, and you should use specific
examples and evidence to support your argument
...

The body paragraphs form the heart of your essay, where you will
present your ideas and arguments in a structured and organized
manner
...


Example:
Suppose the prompt is to write an argumentative essay on plastic
pollution
...
Use statistics and real-life
examples to support your argument
...
Present both sides of the argument
and provide examples of successful initiatives
...
Use predictions and forecasts to support your
argument
...
They allow you to present your ideas in a
structured and convincing manner and provide the evidence and
examples that support your thesis statement
...


9
...

"Conclusion" refers to the last section of your essay
...
This helps to reinforce the main point of your essay and
leaves a lasting impression on your reader
...
It is an opportunity to reflect on what you
have discussed in your article and show the reader the significance of
your work
...
Regular exercise can improve mood, increase
energy levels, and reduce the risk of numerous diseases
...

To sum up, the evidence presented in this essay demonstrates that
using renewable energy sources is the energy industry’s future
...
It is
time for us to shift our focus to these alternative sources and pave the
way for a cleaner and greener future
...
It can provide a final argument
or solution to the problem discussed in the essay
...


10
...

"Vocabulary" refers to the words and phrases you use to express your
ideas in your essay
...
Additionally,
using advanced vocabulary can help you score higher on the TOEFL
independent writing task, as it demonstrates your lexical resource
...
It is essential to use a range of speech, including advanced
words and phrases, to show the depth of your language abilities
...


Instead of using simple phrases like "I think," try using more advanced
expressions like "In my opinion" or "From my perspective
...
"
Use cases:
To show your ability to use a range of vocabulary in various contexts
...

To demonstrate your mastery of the English language
...

By using a variety of vocabulary in your independent writing task, you
can effectively express your ideas and show your mastery of the English
language
...


11
...

To achieve coherence and cohesion, you should:
Use clear and logical transitions between ideas
...
Use specific reasons
and examples to support your answer
...

You could discuss how technology has created new challenges, such as
cyberbullying and internet addiction
...

12
...
You should pay attention to the following:
Sentence structure: Ensure that your sentences are well-formed and
have an explicit subject-verb agreement
Verb tense: Maintain consistency in verb tense throughout your essay
Punctuation: Use proper punctuation, including commas, semicolons,
and periods
Example:
Incorrect: I don't think technology has made our lives easier
Correct: I do not believe that technology has made our lives easier

13
...
It is essential to maintain a neutral and objective tone in your
TOEFL independent writing task, avoiding:
Emotional language
Slang or informal expressions
Overly personal opinions
Example:
Avoid: Technology is freaking amazing; I can't live without it!
Better: Technology has had a significant impact on our lives, both
positive and negative
...
"Avoid errors" means avoiding common mistakes in your writing
...

Using first-person pronouns: It is best to write in a neutral and objective
tone, avoiding using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "me
...

Example:
Avoid: I'm going to talk about how tech has made our lives easier
Better: I am going to discuss how technology has made our lives easier

15
...
You can do this by:
Writing essays in response to practice prompts
Timing yourself to make sure you can complete the task within the
allotted 30 minutes
Getting feedback from a tutor or teacher to help you improve your
writing skills
Reading sample essays to see how other people have approached the
task and to get ideas for your writing
By practicing writing, you will become more familiar with the format
and requirements of the TOEFL independent writing task and be better
prepared to write a high-quality essay on test day
...
Reading sample essays: Reading model essays can give you a sense
of the type of language and style expected for the TOEFL independent
writing task
...
For example,
you can read an article that presents an argument against using cell
phones in the classroom and see how the writer has used examples and
evidence to support their point of view
...
Getting feedback: Getting feedback on your writing can help you
identify areas for improvement and focus your preparation efforts
...
Alternatively, if you receive feedback
that your grammar needs work, you can focus on practicing sentence
structure and verb tense
...
Using online resources: Many online resources can help you
prepare for the TOEFL independent writing task, such as writing
templates, practice prompts, and essay grading services
...

19
...
The requirements include task response, coherence and
cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy
...

20
...
Try to simulate the actual test
conditions, including timing yourself and writing in a quiet, isolated
space
...




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