Writing tool
TOEFL Independent Writing — template
The new TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion task is short (≈100 words, 10 minutes) but demands a clear position, a credible reason, a concrete example, and an engagement with classmates' views.
TOEFL
Four-move template
- State your position in one direct sentence (10–15 words).
- Give one reason — explain WHY this position holds, not just THAT it does.
- Add a specific example: a study, a country, a personal observation, or a concrete scenario.
- Engage with a classmate's point: agree-and-extend, or politely push back.
Sentence frames
Stating position
- • I firmly side with Professor Smith's view that …
- • While I see merit in both arguments, my position is that …
- • In my opinion, the more compelling case is that …
Adding example
- • A concrete illustration of this is …
- • Consider the case of … , where …
- • Research from … reported that …
Engaging with classmates
- • Anna raises a fair point, however …
- • I would build on Daniel's observation by adding that …
- • While Maria highlights X, this overlooks …
Things graders reward
- A clear, unambiguous position from sentence one.
- One specific, concrete example — not a vague generalisation.
- Engagement with the prompt and at least one of the classmates' replies by name.
- Range of vocabulary and accurate syntax (errors are tolerated if meaning is clear).
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