Many students are intimidated by TOEFL writing, but it is a lot easier than you think. In this article, you will discover some useful tips that will help you achieve a perfect score of 30 in TOEFL writing.

Table of Contents - How To Score 30 In TOEFL Writing

Pay close attention to task instructions


It's crucial to do exactly what the prompt asks. In the integrated task, you need to summarize information from both a lecture and a reading passage. Briefly explain what both sources convey without focusing on just one. Additionally, avoid including your own opinion; task one doesn't ask for it. Conversely, in the academic discussion task, you must add your viewpoint to the discussion. This means introducing new information about the topic, not just summarizing what others have said. Simply agreeing with someone else's opinion won't earn you a full score. You must provide a new reason for your agreement, something not mentioned in the prompt. Also, remember to write at least 100 words for academic discussion task, otherwise you will lose points.

Follow a template


The TOEFL writing section includes two separate tasks: the integrated writing task and the academic discussion task. For the integrated writing task, you need to synthesize information from a reading passage and a lecture. The academic discussion task involves writing a response in an online discussion for a college course. These tasks require different types of responses within a short timeframe, which can be challenging without a template. A template offers sentence starters with advanced vocabulary to help you structure your answers. By memorizing a template before the test, you can quickly start writing your responses without worrying about how to begin. This is essential given the stress and time constraints of the TOEFL, allowing you to focus on developing your arguments instead of crafting the opening sentences.

Practice a lot


It is extremely important to be familiar with what to expect on the test and to be used to its format. If you have never encountered the test before, the two types of writing questions can be quite shocking. This means that you have to keep practicing. This has a few benefits.

By practicing regularly, test-takers become more comfortable with formats of writing tasks, understanding what each task requires and how to structure their responses effectively. This familiarity reduces anxiety and allows for better time management during the actual test.

Secondly, extensive practice helps improve language proficiency. Regular practice allows you to identify and correct your grammatical mistakes, expand your vocabulary, and learn to construct clear and cohesive essays. Over time, this leads to more polished and sophisticated writing.

Additionally, practicing writing helps develop critical thinking and argumentation skills. The academic discussion task, in particular, requires you to present and defend their opinions on a given topic. Regular practice encourages the development of logical reasoning, the ability to support arguments with relevant examples, and the skill to address counterarguments.

Mention the subject in the integrated task


In task one, many students jump straight into comparing the points from the reading and the lecture without providing a definition of the topic. While it might seem okay, it is much better to introduce the subject to make your work more structured and easier to read.

Use linking words

No matter how good your arguments are, they won't do much if they are not connected. Use linking words to improve the flow of your ideas. These words and phrases are essential for forming a coherent response. For example, "by contrast" indicates a difference, while "moreover" introduces a new point. You can either learn a few of linking words and use them whenever you want or you can memorize a template that includes linking words and use it.

Provide examples in the academic discussion task


For task two, it's crucial to use brief and clear examples. Some students get bogged down in the details, making their examples too long and confusing. For example, if discussing social behavior, I might say, "At work, my boss asked about the impact of social media on communication. He had read a book and was curious if there's research on how social media affects face-to-face interactions. Our vice president explained that recent studies show social media can both enhance and hinder direct communication, depending on usage patterns." This example is too lengthy and loses focus. Instead, keep examples concise, like, "Research shows that social media can both enhance and hinder face-to-face communication, depending on usage." The example doesn't need to be true; it just needs to be plausible. Task two is assessed on your ability to construct an argument, not on the factual accuracy of your examples.

Don't use the same words over and over, rephrase


Paraphrasing involves explaining an idea using different words. It's a useful technique to make your writing more engaging and, importantly, it shows that you comprehend the question. Merely copying the question prompt can imply that you don't fully understand it. Paraphrasing also highlights your vocabulary skills. For instance, if the topic is ocean exploration, you can use phrases like "studying the ocean depths" or "understanding marine ecosystems" to express similar ideas in different words. This indicates your understanding of oceanography and research because you can describe these concepts with varied terminology. Paraphrase whenever you can, but don't feel obligated to rephrase every single word. It's fine to repeat certain words if there's no suitable synonym.

Make sure you check your work


Make sure to proofread your work. Search for words that can be paraphrased and fix any spelling errors. If you find repeated words, try replacing them with pronouns. Confirm that your ideas flow logically and verify that you have written the required number of words. Proofreading is an essential step that many overlook, but correcting a few mistakes can greatly improve your final writing score.

Mention opinions of other students in the academic discussion task


In the academic discussion task, it would be great to acknowledge the views of other speakers in a discussion online. You can use phrases like "I agree with Mike's opinion since..." or "Jenna raises a valid point, but I believe that..." This task is all about civil and polite interaction, so demonstrating respect for others' opinions, even if you disagree, is crucial. Again, you could memorize various ways to express your opinion and pick and choose or just use a template.

Make sure your grammar is correct


Using accurate grammar is crucial for achieving a great writing score. However, it's a common misconception that highly complex sentences always result in a better score. While showcasing your grammar abilities is important, overly complex sentences that are confusing or contain mistakes can lower your score. It's better to use simple – but not excessively simple - correct sentences that get your message across. In your responses, opt for both short and long sentences. Also, it is important to focus on writing sentences with grammar you're comfortable with. This means that you shouldn't experiment with new grammar during the exam. That said, you can still boost your score by correctly using advanced structures. To do this, practice a few complex structures while preparing for the exam and do this until you're confident in using them correctly. This way, on the exam day, you can write grammatically accurate responses with ease.