Writing well is an important part of the TOEFL iBT test. The Writing section measures your ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English through focused academic and practical tasks, including Build a Sentence, Write an Email, and Write for an Academic Discussion. This section can be challenging, especially for candidates who are not completely confident in their English skills. Use these TOEFL writing tips to improve your performance on this part of the test.
Tips & Techniques to Increase Your TOEFL Essay Score
Tip 1: Manage your time
The current TOEFL iBT Writing section has an approximate base time of 23 minutes, although the exact test time can vary because the updated test adapts to each test taker. Since the section includes more than one type of writing task, avoid spending too long on a single response. Read each prompt carefully, answer the task directly, and leave a little time to check for obvious grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes.
Tip 2: Practice
It is important to develop the ability to respond clearly within the allotted time. The best way to do this is to practice with current TOEFL iBT materials that reflect the updated test format. ETS offers official preparation resources, including a self-paced TOEFL iBT Sample Test with questions from all four skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. You should use official sample questions, practice tests, and TOEFL preparation books to practice until you are comfortable responding under exam conditions.
Tip 3: Present a point of view
Some TOEFL Writing tasks, especially Write for an Academic Discussion, ask you to state and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion. Remember to take a clear stance when the prompt asks for your view. The examiner is looking at your ability to communicate ideas logically and coherently, so do not try to stay neutral if the task asks for an opinion. Choose a position that you can support convincingly with reasons and examples.
Tip 4: Plan your essay
Do not start writing without thinking about the task first. Take a few moments to decide what the prompt is asking and what your main response will be. For longer responses, note one or two supporting points before you begin. A brief plan will help you write a clear, organized answer instead of a response that includes unrelated ideas. Since your time is limited, stay focused on the question and avoid unnecessary words.
Tip 5: Structure your essay
Once you understand the task, give your response a clear structure. For an academic discussion response, start by directly answering the prompt, then support your opinion with a reason or example. For an email task, make sure your message has a clear purpose, relevant details, and an appropriate tone. For sentence-building tasks, focus on grammar, word order, and meaning. A clear structure makes your writing easier to follow and helps show that you can communicate effectively.
Tip 6: Come up with the purpose of the topic
The rater will be looking for a clear purpose in your response. Make sure you understand what the task is asking before you write. In opinion-based tasks, your main idea should be clear near the beginning of your response. In practical writing tasks, such as an email, your purpose should be easy for the reader to identify. A clear main idea gives your response direction and helps you stay focused.
Tip 7: Support your purpose statement
Support your main idea with relevant reasons, details, and examples. You do not always need three body paragraphs, especially on shorter TOEFL Writing tasks. Instead, focus on making each point clear and useful. When possible, begin with your main idea and then explain it with a specific reason or example. This will make your response stronger and easier to understand.
Tip 8: Give your writing a natural flow
A common mistake that many candidates make is using only simple, short sentences. This can become monotonous for the reader. Try to vary the length and structure of your sentences so your writing sounds more natural. Also, use connectors such as “however,” “for example,” and “first” when they are appropriate. These words can help your response flow naturally and make your ideas easier to follow.
Tip 9: Watch out for spelling and grammar mistakes
Spelling and grammar mistakes can weaken your response. If you have only a basic grasp of English, make a focused effort to improve your grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure before the test. Make sure you are familiar with subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, punctuation, pronouns, and word order. Try to write clearly and directly. Go through sample responses and study words you commonly see, checking a dictionary when necessary. If you are unsure of the spelling of a word, use a simpler word that you know is correct.
Tip 10: Edit your answer
You have done it! You have written a response that can help you perform well on the TOEFL Writing section. Now, however, is not the time to relax. Use any remaining time to review what you have written. Even strong English speakers make mistakes, so check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Correcting these mistakes can improve the quality of your response, so use your time wisely.
We hope that this article on TOEFL Writing was helpful. Make sure to also check out our Scholarships Page and available courses for international students!
