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Maximizing your score
in the TOEFL
independent writing
task

Introduction…
Maximizing your score in the TOEFL independent
writing task refers to the strategies and techniques
you can use to achieve the highest possible score on
the separate writing section of the TOEFL exam
...
To
maximize your score, you should aim to write a
well-organized, well-supported, and error-free
essay demonstrating your ability to use advanced
vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and
appropriate tone and style
...


...
Today,
we discuss a critical aspect of the TOEFL
examination, the Independent Writing Task
...
So, let us get
ready to take the next step and embark on a
journey to maximizing your score in the TOEFL
Independent Writing Task
...
Understand the task: Before starting to write your essay, it is essential to
understand the task prompt, the required length, and the criteria for scoring
...
The required length will
give you a rough idea of how much you need to write, and you should aim to
write a complete and well-structured essay that meets the requirements
...


Example:
Task prompt: Write an essay on the impact of technology on society
...

Criteria for scoring:
Organization: The introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion are well
structured, with clear transitions
...

Language use: The essay uses appropriate language with clear and concise
sentences
...

Use Case:
A student has been assigned to write an essay on the impact of technology on
society as part of their coursework
...
They then check the required length to
determine how much they need to register and make a plan accordingly
...
By following these steps, the student can ensure that they write an
essay that fully meets the requirements and has a good chance of receiving a high
score
...

Required length: 800-1000 words
...

Content: The essay includes relevant information and credible sources to support
the main argument
...

Development of ideas: The essay provides a clear and well-supported argument,
with a clear thesis statement and counterargument
...
They first read the task prompt carefully to
understand what they must write about
...
Finally,
they review the criteria for scoring to understand what the evaluators will look for
in their essays, such as persuasive language and clear argumentation
...


2
...
An outline can help you
organize your ideas into main points and supporting details and ensure a clear
introduction, body, and conclusion
...


Example:
Task prompt: Write an essay on the causes and effects of climate change
...
Introduction
A
...
Overview of the main points

II
...
Greenhouse gas emissions
1
...
Deforestation
B
...
Volcanic eruptions
2
...
Effects of Climate Change
A
...
Rising sea levels
2
...
Societal
1
...
Displacement of populations

IV
...
Summary of main points
B
...
They first create an outline to organize their thoughts and ideas
into a clear and concise structure
...
While writing their paper, the student can refer back to
their outline to ensure they stay on track and cover all the necessary points
...


Another Example:

Task prompt: Write a compare and contrast essay on online and traditional
education
...
Introduction
A
...
Overview of the main points

II
...
Flexibility
B
...
Cost savings

III
...
Face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates
B
...
Access to facilities and resources not available online

IV
...
Similarities
1
...
Both require discipline and motivation to succeed
B
...
Approach to learning
2
...
Conclusion
A
...
Personal preference and individual circumstances as determining factors

Use Case:

A student was assigned to write a compare and contrast essay on online and
traditional education
...
The system helps the student focus on the main
points they want to make and ensure that their essay has a clear introduction,
body, and conclusion
...
Using
a system, the student can write a more focused and well-structured essay that
effectively compares and contrasts the two forms of education
...
Use various sentence structures: A combination of sentence structures can help
you make your writing more exciting and engaging
...
To avoid this, try to mix up simple, compound, and complex
sentences, as this can add variety and interest to your writing
...


Paragraph using a variety of sentence structures:

My hometown is a small, peaceful town in the rolling hills of rural Ohio
...
In the
center of town, there is a bustling square surrounded by quaint shops selling
handmade goods, and on weekends, the city comes alive with farmers' markets
and street fairs
...
The town also has a beautiful
park, where families gather on warm summer nights to play games and watch the
stars
...


Use Case:

A student has been assigned to write a descriptive essay about their hometown
...
This variety in
sentence structure helps keep the reader's attention and creates a more vivid and
memorable image of the student's hometown
...


Another Example:

Task prompt: Write a persuasive essay on the importance of exercise
...
Regular physical
activity can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and
diabetes, and can also improve mental health and well-being
...

But despite these numerous benefits, many people still need to pay more
attention to making exercise a regular part of their routine
...
So why not commit yourself today to incorporating
exercise into your daily routine?

Use Case:

A student has been assigned to write a persuasive essay on the importance of
exercise
...
This
variety in sentence structure helps keep the reader's attention and effectively
conveys the student's argument for the importance of exercise
...


4
...
However, it is essential to use vocabulary words accurately, as
using them can help your score
...


Example:

Task prompt: Write a literary analysis of a novel
...
The protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet,
challenges the prevailing attitudes of her society towards marriage and social
class through her strong-willed and independent nature
...
Austen employs a nuanced portrayal of characters
and their motivations to delve into the intricacies of social customs and the power
dynamics inherent in such a society
...
" To demonstrate their mastery of the English language and show
the evaluators that they are capable of using complex language, they use
advanced vocabulary words such as "nuanced," "intricacies," and "power
dynamics
...


Another Example:

Task prompt: Write a persuasive essay on the importance of environmental
conservation
...
The indiscriminate exploitation of natural
resources and the rampant degradation of ecosystems have led to the extinction
of numerous species and the fragmentation of habitats
...
Implementing sustainable
practices, such as reducing waste and conserving energy, can significantly
contribute to protecting and preserving the environment
...
To demonstrate their mastery of the English
language and show the evaluators that they are capable of using complex
language, they use advanced vocabulary words such as "indiscriminate,"
"degradation," "proactive measures," "mitigate," and "biosphere
...


5
...
This can help make your
writing more convincing and memorable and show the evaluators that you clearly
understand the topic
...

Example:

Task prompt: Write an argumentative essay on the benefits of physical activity
...

Regular exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as
heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
...
In addition to its
physical health benefits, regular exercise has also been shown to improve mental
health and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
...


Use Case:

A student has been assigned to write an argumentative essay on the benefits of
physical activity
...
These examples provide concrete evidence to
support their argument and show the evaluators that they clearly understand the
topic
...


Another Example:

Task prompt: Write a persuasive essay on the importance of education
...
It provides individuals with the skills and knowledge
needed to succeed and make informed decisions
...
Education also empowers
individuals and communities by providing them with the tools to address social
and economic issues
...
Individuals and
communities can take control of their lives and improve their well-being by
providing education access
...
To support their argument and make their writing more convincing
and memorable, they use specific examples such as the study conducted by the
World Bank and the impact of education on health outcomes
...
By using well-explained and relevant
standards, the student adds value to their opinion and demonstrates their ability
to communicate their ideas effectively
...
Coherence refers to the logical flow and connection of ideas in your essay
...
This can help the reader follow your argument and understand the
relationships between your ideas
...


To further explain coherence in writing, let's consider the following examples and
use cases:

Examples:

Consider an essay about the importance of exercise for mental health
...
This creates a logical flow
of ideas as the writer builds on the previous picture and connects it to the next
one
...
This helps the reader understand the relationship
between the two ideas and makes the argument more convincing
...


In a persuasive speech, coherence can help the speaker build a clear and
compelling argument, making it easier for the audience to understand and be
convinced
...


In conclusion, coherence is critical to effective writing and ensures the reader
understands the presented ideas and arguments
...
Cohesion: Cohesion refers to how the elements of your essay are connected
and work together to form a coherent whole
...
Transitional
phrases can include words such as "however," "in addition," "furthermore," etc
...


To further explain cohesion in writing, let's consider the following examples and
use cases:

Examples:

Consider a descriptive essay about a city
...
The use of transitional phrases such as "next," "then," and "after

that" helps to link the different elements of the essay together, creating a
cohesive whole
...
The use of transitional phrases such as "similarly," "in
contrast," and "on the other hand" helps to link the different elements of the
essay together, creating a clear and cohesive argument
...


In a personal statement, cohesion is crucial to ensure that the different elements
of the essay, such as personal experiences, goals, and skills, are connected and
work together to form a clear and coherent narrative
...


In conclusion, cohesion is a crucial aspect of effective writing
...


8
...
The introduction should grab the reader's attention, provide context
and background information, and clearly state your thesis statement
...
Both the introduction and conclusion should be
written clearly and concisely and should not include any new information
...
Here are some examples and use cases:

Examples:

Introduction: Imagine you are writing an essay about the benefits of exercise
...
Your thesis statement is, "Regular exercise improves
physical health and has numerous mental and emotional benefits
...
"
Use Cases:

Use an introduction to provide context and background information for the
reader: Your introduction should give the reader a clear understanding of the
essay and why it is relevant or essential
...

Use a conclusion to summarize the main points and restate the thesis: The
decision should give the reader a final perspective on your topic and leave a
lasting impression
...


9
...
Each
section should have a topic sentence that introduces the main idea, and the rest
of the paragraph should support that idea with examples and details
...


Developing your ideas involves organizing your thoughts and presenting them in a
clear and structured manner
...


Support the topic sentence: The rest of the paragraph should support the topic
sentence with relevant examples and details that help to explain and illustrate the
main idea
...


Examples:

If you are writing about the impact of technology on education, your topic
sentence could be "Technology has revolutionized the way education is
delivered
...

You could then use transitional phrases such as "Moreover" or "In addition" to
link your ideas and provide a cohesive argument
...

In persuasive writing, developing ideas is critical to building a solid argument and
convincing the reader to take a particular point of view
...


10
...
Make sure you have enough time to plan your essay, write a
rough draft, and revise and edit your work
...

To practice good time management during the writing process, you should:

Set aside enough time for each stage of the writing process, including planning,
writing, revising, and editing
...

Establish a writing schedule and stick to it, ensuring you have enough time to
complete each task before moving on to the next one
...

Examples:

A student might set a timer for 30 minutes to write the introduction, another 30
minutes to write the body, and a final 30 minutes to write the conclusion
...

A student might use an app to track the amount of time they spend writing and
adjust their schedule based on their progress
...

Effective time management can help ensure that the essay is completed within
the allotted time and meets the requirements for length and content
...


11
...
To avoid duplication, use different words to express
similar thoughts and try to vary your sentence structure
...
"

12
...
Common mistakes to watch for
include subject-verb agreement, tense-verb consistency, and proper use of
punctuation marks
...


13
...
For example, instead of using the slang term "gonna," use the
formal "going to
...


14
...
You should express your opinions and ideas clearly and support them
with evidence
...
For example, instead of "It is thought that climate change is
caused by human activities," write "Many experts believe that human activities
are the primary cause of climate change
...
Practice writing: Regular writing practice can help you improve your writing
skills and confidence
...
Practicing
different types of writing, such as narrative, argumentative, and descriptive
essays can help you develop a wide range of writing skills
...




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