Many students find the TOEFL Writing section to be one of the most challenging parts of the Test, not because they lack ideas or vocabulary, but because it demands precision, structure, and time management. Writing two complete essays under exam conditions can easily feel overwhelming, even for fluent English speakers. Writing two essays during the TOEFL exam can seem daunting. You must read, listen, and write clearly within a strict time limit. But with the right strategy and TOEFL writing practice, you can perform confidently on test day.
This guide breaks down 10 essential TOEFL writing tips that will help you organise your thoughts, avoid common mistakes, and score higher.
What is the TOEFL Writing Section?
The TOEFL Writing section is the final part of the TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test). It consists of two tasks that test different writing skills: one measures your ability to summarise and integrate information from multiple sources, while the other assesses your ability to express and defend your own opinion.
You’ll have a total of 50 minutes to complete both tasks.
|
Task |
Type |
Duration |
Word Limit |
Skills Tested |
|
Integrated Writing |
Read + Listen + Write |
20 minutes |
150–225 words |
Summarising, paraphrasing, and connecting ideas from multiple sources |
|
TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion |
Respond to the professor and peers |
10 minutes |
100+ words |
Expressing and supporting personal opinions logically |
Also Read: TOEFL Exam Time
Task 1: Integrated Writing
Tip 1: Read, Then Listen Carefully
The Integrated Writing task combines reading, listening, and writing. You’ll read an academic passage of about 250–300 words, listen to a lecture on the same topic, and then write an essay summarising both.
|
Step |
Task |
Duration |
|
1 |
Read the passage |
3 minutes |
|
2 |
Listen to the lecture |
2–3 minutes |
|
3 |
Write your essay |
20 minutes |
The key is to understand how the lecture disagrees with or supports the reading. If you miss a point during the lecture, your essay will lack accuracy. This is also helpful in TOEFL essay writing. Practice more TOEFL essay topics to become a pro in this section.
Although the reading passage reappears when you write, the listening does not. Focus your note-taking on the lecture to capture key arguments and examples. More the TOEFL writing practice more the score will be.
Tip 2: Take Clear, Organised Notes
You’ll listen to the lecture only once, so your notes are crucial. A good note-taking method is to divide your paper into two columns: one for the reading and one for the lecture. It is important from the perspective of the TOEFL writing rubric to achieve a good score.
|
Reading |
Lecture |
|
Point 1 |
How the lecturer challenges it |
|
Point 2 |
Lecturer’s evidence or counterexample |
|
Point 3 |
Lecturer’s conclusion or support |
Remember, you should write about the lecture twice as much as the reading, as TOEFL graders focus on your ability to summarise spoken information.
Tip 3: Paraphrase Instead of Quoting
Never copy sentences directly from the reading passage. The TOEFL scoring system can detect copied text, which can lower your score.
Instead of repeating the same sentence, restate it in your own words.
Example:
Original: “The author argues that turtle excluder devices reduce sea turtle deaths.”
Paraphrased: “According to the passage, using turtle excluder devices has helped decrease the number of turtles trapped in fishing nets.”
This demonstrates strong vocabulary, grammatical control, and comprehension, all of which are essential for a high score.
Tip 4: Use Transitional Words for Clarity
Transition words improve flow and make your essay easier to read. They also show that you understand how to connect ideas between the reading and the lecture.
|
Purpose |
Examples |
|
Contrast |
However, on the other hand, while the author claims… |
|
Addition |
Moreover, furthermore, in addition, also |
|
Example |
For instance, to illustrate. |
|
Result |
Therefore, consequently, as a result |
|
Conclusion |
Overall, to conclude, in summary |
Transitions help you move smoothly between viewpoints and show logical reasoning.
Tip 5: Manage Your Time Wisely
The Integrated Writing task gives you only 20 minutes, so every minute counts.
Suggested time plan:
|
Time (minutes) |
Task |
|
0–2 |
Review notes and outline essay. |
|
3–5 |
Write introduction |
|
6–15 |
Write body paragraphs |
|
16–17 |
Write conclusion |
|
18–20 |
Edit and review |
Aim for 150–225 words. Practising under time limits will help you maintain accuracy and speed during the exam.
Task 2: Writing for an Academic Discussion
ETS replaced the Independent Writing TOEFL topics with this new format. You’ll see a professor’s question and responses from two or three students. You must write a 100-word (or longer) response adding your viewpoint to the discussion. Practice more academic formal writing topics to score high in this section.
Tip 6: Add Something New
You can agree or disagree with others, but you must add your own ideas instead of repeating what’s already been said.
Example:
Professor: “Is globalisation good or bad for society?”
Student 1: “It connects people.”
Student 2: “It exploits poor nations.”
Your response:
“I agree that globalisation connects people, but it also allows the exchange of culture and education. For example, international study programs have increased understanding between nations and created global career opportunities.”
Your goal is to build on the discussion, not restate it.
Tip 7: Use Simple and Clear Verb Tenses
Complex grammar is not necessary for a good score. Most high-scoring responses use simple present, simple past, and present perfect tenses.
Example:
“Globalisation is a positive influence because it has improved international cooperation and created new opportunities for trade.”
Focus on using the correct and consistent tense rather than variety for its own sake.
Tip 8: Include Complex Sentences
The TOEFL scoring system values grammatical range and complexity. Using conjunctions to form compound or complex sentences demonstrates fluency in sentence structure.
|
Type |
Conjunctions |
Example |
|
Coordinating |
and, but so |
“Globalisation promotes trade, but it can also increase competition.” |
|
Subordinating |
because, although, since |
“Although globalisation improves communication, it may reduce cultural diversity.” |
Aim to include a few sentences with multiple clauses to show control and structure.
Tip 9: Edit Before Submitting
There is no spellcheck in the TOEFL exam, so proofreading is essential. Always finish your essay a minute early to correct:
- Spelling and punctuation errors
- Missing articles or prepositions
- Incorrect verb forms
- Awkward sentence structures
Practice typing essays without spellcheck to simulate real test conditions.
Tip 10: Get Feedback from Experts
Self-practice is important, but external feedback helps you grow faster.
Share your essays with a teacher, TOEFL tutor, or trained evaluator who understands ETS scoring. They can identify issues you might overlook, such as repetitive phrasing or weak argument structure.
Practice with official ETS materials and review model answers to see how top responses are written.
Read More: TOEFL Test Tips
Final Thoughts
Scoring high in the TOEFL Writing section is not about using difficult words or memorised templates. It’s about writing clearly, logically, and with confidence. Practice more TOEFL writing topics to gain more insights. Follow these TOEFL tips and tricks to score high in this section.
Focus on structure, time management, and regular practice under exam-like conditions. With these TOEFL Writing tips, you’ll build the skills to write effective, well-organised essays and perform your best on test day.
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